Death in Venice by Thomas Mann
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Book Reviews of Death in Venice
Book Review: Art versus Life
Summary: 5 Stars
This story has nothing to do with sex. In all of Mann's stories he is struggling with living life without art or living for art.
The boy represents art. If he pursues it he might die. That is his dilemma.
Book Review: A must read!
Summary: 5 Stars
The definitive work on passion, longing and unrequited love in a highly readable version - but possibly outshone by the masterly and moving introduction by Michael Cunningham. Brilliant!Book Review: The Human Condition in Prose
Summary: 4 Stars
Gustav von Aschenbach is an aging writer, feeling the pangs of literary pressure and exhaustion. He has devoted his life to cultivating an image of utmost propriety and literary superiority but now seeks a respite from the anxiety of others' (and his own) expectations. Thus, he travels to (where else) Venice, Italy - where he can relax on the scenic shores of the Mediterranean. Aschenbach discovers a young boy, the epitome of youthful beauty, who first peaks the artistic sympathies of the writer, but soon enraptures him completely. Aschenbach, whose health (along with the boy, Tadzio's, and the city of Venice's) steadily declines, sees in Tadzio something lost and something sought after. The writer realizes that he has spent so much time with literary perfection -with research and analysis - that he has lost the true meaning of the art form: a pursuit of pure beauty. He finds this in Tadzio and therefore becomes enthralled. Mann's purpose does not seem to be subversive; instead, he is pointing out an element of the human condition which is constant in both its presence and its denial - the unrequited love and lust for the aging toward the youthful. The motive is not at all pedophilic, as some might suggest. Instead, it seems that Mann is simply pointing out the terrors of aging, and the almost deified, nostalgic respect we have for the youthful. The reader sees Aschenbach struggle with his appreciation for and jealousy of Tadzio's youth and beauty. Aschenbach tries to recover some of his own lost youth by dying his hair and pampering his face - hiding his wrinkles; but, the absurdity of the "cover-up" is amplified by Aschenbach's demise. That Tadzio remains beautiful despite his own illness seems almost a coy taunt towards age, whose ability to defeat and/or recover from illness is far less than the youthful's. Tadzio has no fear of playing in the water or wrestling with his friends, even amongst an outbreak of cholera; in contrast, the adults eagerly avoid the subject - and one another- in hopes of containing the disease and saving themselves from it. While there are homosexual elements to the story (Tadzio and Aschenbach obviously have a certain understanding of one another - if not equally in lust with one another, certainly understanding of the others' appreciation), the major theme is the artistic beauty of youth and vitality, which overpowers even the most strict and acetic of personalities. That Aschenbach is willing to give himself up to the spreading epidemic simply to be in Tadzio's presence (it is pointed out that, had the Polish family left, Aschenbach too would have gone away) reminds us that Aschenbach is greatly affected by the boy's perfection. It is almost as if Aschenbach has discovered his own Dorian Gray and, like Basil Hallward, Aschenbach soon loses himself to his own creation. Really, a beautiful read - one which speaks to the self-conscious, envious elements in each of us.Book Review: an odd little novella
Summary: 4 Stars
It is interesting to see how people respond to stories differently. Here is another work of literatre that does not engage me emotionally, but is fascinating as a work of art. Mann the author as well as the narrator seemed to desire the reader to maintain a critical distance from the main character rather than to identify and sympathize with him.
Readers interested in a romantic experience, being wrapped up in the story, transported away from their mundane lives, and so on had probably better turn elsewhere. But readers willing or eager to work out a complicated allegory of the artist's quest for perfection will appreciate this cerebral work.
I suppose I've said enough; I don't intend to summarize the plot and I'm not sure I can offer a very insightful interpretation of the allegory yet. I'm probably a couple readings away from being able to do that. It's enough for now to alert prospective readers that the bare plot is not the heart of the matter, that this story is really all about its symbolism and the intellectual experience you will have working it out rather than the emotional experience you will have identifying with the joys and pains of the characters: most people probably won't, and I'd like to relieve you of the obligation of trying to. If you do have a strong reaction, it probably won't be pleasant. Either way, you will get a lot more out of the work if you keep its intellectual project in mind.
The one thing I can say is that the Norton Critical Edition is more than satisfactory for me. I might pick up another edition sometime; I'm interested in the introduction that so offended other readers. But the NCE comes with a few very nice little essays, so if you think you might read them I'd say it's worth the trouble to seek it out.
Finally, I'd suggest reading The Magic Mountain first. Although it is at least ten times as long as Death in Venice, I think most readers will enjoy it more, and on more levels; regardless of enjoyment, I'd frankly argue that The Magic Mountain is a more complete work of art and a more important cultural and intellectual experience. That kind of comparison may not be welcome to some people: by all means, read both in either order and make up your own mind! However, if you're only going to read one, read TMM; and if you haven't liked DiV, read TMM nevertheless. (And more than once!)
Book Review: My first time reading it at 23....
Summary: 4 Stars
i literally finished this book in half a day. I could not put it down or get it out of my head. Quite simply, one of the best novels I have EVER read. Every word sticks, the body is transported to another world and then at the last page, brings you back into cold, harsh reality, breathless.
The only complaint i have is this:
I read the introduction first and it ruined the ending for me.
If this is your first time reading this, DO NOT READ THE INTRO!!!!
I have no idea WHY they put that intro in first. STUPID.
Thanks for somewhat but not, ruining a glorious conclusion!