tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009417175818512962.post3964032315931525906..comments2024-03-27T22:54:47.270+01:00Comments on Let's read: Mann, Thomas "Buddenbrooks: The Decline of a Family"Marianne http://www.blogger.com/profile/11810275740213848634noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009417175818512962.post-6039501103528720812022-01-22T13:29:38.109+01:002022-01-22T13:29:38.109+01:00Thanks, Diana, "Buddenbrooks" is my abso...Thanks, Diana, "Buddenbrooks" is my absolute favourite by Thomas Mann but I also love his other books, so I am sure you will like it.<br /><br />I don't mind personal questions at all. I also mention it in my profile, so it's no secret. I lived abroad about half my life but we went back to Germany when my husband retired two years ago. Before that, we have lived in the Netherlands for twenty years, the UK (Bucks) in the nineties and in Brussels about forty years ago. We have always gone back there for visits and will do so even more often in future since our youngest son just moved there last year. It's probably my favourite town of all.<br /><br />If you have any other questions, you are welcome to send my an e-mail. My address is in my profile.Marianne https://www.blogger.com/profile/11810275740213848634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009417175818512962.post-13493744043662896652022-01-21T20:03:17.930+01:002022-01-21T20:03:17.930+01:00This sounds so good. I cannot wait to read it. As ...This sounds so good. I cannot wait to read it. As you know I loved The Magic Mountain and Death in Venice was impressive as well and I cannot imagine Mann writing something better. Since this novel won him the Nobel Prize, it must be. I think I will enjoy it immensely. <br /><br />I am sorry for this personal question, but cannot help but be curious - do you live in Germany? Or Brussels as the previous conversation hints? I lived in Brussels for 3 years too, as a trainee (now the UK) - liked it.Dianahttps://thoughtsonpapyrus.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009417175818512962.post-45104350028703631712020-07-25T13:56:09.392+02:002020-07-25T13:56:09.392+02:00I'm not a huge fan of novellas anyway, I love ...I'm not a huge fan of novellas anyway, I love big books. But if I like an author, I usually try more of them. I have "Herr und Hund" (A Man and his Dog) on my TBR list, I'll definitely read that soon.<br /><br />I'm sure you'll love <a href="http://momobookblog.blogspot.com/2013/11/mann-thomas-magic-mountain.html" rel="nofollow">The Magic Mountain</a> but I have to agree, nothing can compare to Buddenbrooks. One of my all time favourite books. I have introduced it twice to a book club and they always liked it, even though many don't like big books.<br /><br />It's interesting that you live in Malmö. My son wanted to study in Sweden and the first town on his list was Malmö. But he got Göteborg. He's very happy there, though. <br /><br />Västküsten är bästküsten. 😃<br /><br />Next time you go to Brussels, you'll have to visit me, I live very close to the A1. I'm sure we'd have a lot to talk about.Marianne https://www.blogger.com/profile/11810275740213848634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009417175818512962.post-44571685979828683182020-07-24T18:17:52.136+02:002020-07-24T18:17:52.136+02:00After having read the biography I read four novell...After having read the biography I read four novellas by him, Death in Venice, Tristan, Mario and the Magican and Tonio Kröger. I don't think any of them can compete with Buddenbrooks. I see them more as stories about his homosexuality. I agree with you about the story in Death in Venice. It is very sensitively written and an amazing 'love story' although they never really meet and talk to each other. I put my hopes to The Magic Mountain, and possibly Dr Faustus. Somehow, I feel that nothing can compare to Buddenbrooks when it comes to prose.<br />How wonderful your son is in Sweden! I am not so familiar with Gothenburg, but it is a beautiful city. 'The face to Europe' as the people there say, being on the west coast! I live in Malmö, close to the bridge to Denmark. It is not far at all to Lübeck. I have passed by many times on my way Brussels - Malmö, but never had time to stop. I have visited Stralsund and Wismar so Rostock and Lübeck are high on my list. One day when this pandemic is over or going into resting mood. Lisbeth https://www.blogger.com/profile/00466904375353041610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009417175818512962.post-35824159224522585412020-07-23T17:37:38.085+02:002020-07-23T17:37:38.085+02:00Ooooh, lovely. Thanks for letting me know, I'l...Ooooh, lovely. Thanks for letting me know, I'll go over there and have a look. I am glad it made it into Swedish so well. Mind you, the languages are related, so it's easier to translate and keep to the style, I suppose.<br /><br />I have not read the biography you talk about but have read a lot about Thomas Mann and his family, extraordinary people who made it through difficult times. I'll put this book on my wishlist, though, thank you for the tip.<br /><br />I must confess, I haven't read anything else by Thomas Mann other than "The Magic Mountain" (fantastic! but not the same as Buddenbrooks) and "Death in Venice". At least with the latter I have to agree with you, not comparable. I have "A Man and his Dog" (Herr und Hund) on my TBR list, will have to read that soon.<br /><br />Lovely that you don't live far from Lübeck. Where in Sweden are you situated. My son is in Göteborg at the moment, having done his masters there for the last two years. We have moved back to Germany last year and now live about 2 1/2 hours from Lübeck (if the Autobahn is free, LOL). We'll certainly go again - also after the pandemic, it's a lovely city, also worth visiting if you have no interest in literature, the Buddenbrooks or Thomas Mann whatsoever.<br /><br />Lovely that you replied on the Nobel page. I don't get many comments there. Do you follow the page?<br /><br />Thanks for your visit.Marianne https://www.blogger.com/profile/11810275740213848634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009417175818512962.post-8445475010521761242020-07-22T15:20:26.865+02:002020-07-22T15:20:26.865+02:00Just left this comment on Read the Nobels.
A wond...Just left this comment on Read the Nobels. <br />A wonderful book indeed. One of the best books I have read. The prose is the most wonderful I have read, although I read it in Swedish. My review is here: https://thecontentreader.bl...<br /><br />I recently read an excellent biography of Thomas Mann and his family, quite interesting. It is The Mann Family by Tilmann Lahme, It gives a thorough background to his production. https://thecontentreader.bl...<br /><br />I have recently read Death in Venice, and another three novellas by him. I think these do not come up to the high quality of Buddenbrooks. I am eager to read The Magic Mountain and Dr Faustus. Have you read anything else by him? Thank you for the tips of the museum. I live not far from Lübeck so will have the possibility to visit, once these pandemic is over.Lisbeth https://www.blogger.com/profile/00466904375353041610noreply@blogger.com