CliffsNotes on Mann's The Magic Mountain [Paperback]

Herberth Czermak (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0822007894 | ISBN-13: 978-0822007890 | Publication Date: November 10, 1969

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background — all to help you gain greater insight into great works you're bound to study for school or pleasure.

In CliffsNotes on Mann's Magic Mountain, you follow the journey of Hans Castorp in his search for self-education in what is considered to be one of German novelist Thomas Mann's earliest and finest works. Mann would later win the Nobel Prize and write one of the most acclaimed novels of the 20th century, Doctor Faustus.

In this study guide, you'll find Life and Background on the Author, a Character List, and Critical Commentaries on each chapter of Magic Mountain. You'll also find in-depth character analyses and critical essays on the following:

• The "Buldungsroman"
• Mann's Technique and Style
• Influences on Thomas Mann
• The East, the West, and Germany
• The Novel's Medical Aspects
• As well as suggested review questions, essay topics, and a selected bibliography

Classic literature or modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Cliffs Notes (November 10, 1969)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822007894
• ISBN-13: 978-0822007890
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,306,565 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly good, October 5, 2009

By 

Douglas Broehl "Delafield Doug" (Delafield, Wis.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: CliffsNotes on Mann's The Magic Mountain (Paperback)

I am not a huge fan of Cliffs Notes, as I feel they often explain the obvious and are unable to explain the richer and more allusive aspects of the books they deal with. These notes for Mann's The Magic Mountain are quite good, but not excellent. They do a very good job of explaining the basic story, following Hans Castrop's twists and turns as he spends 7 years in the sanatorium high in the Alps. The author is also able to explain, to some extent, the symbolic implications of the other characters in the story and some of the key scenes. The interpretation certainly pointed out things to me I had not noticed before; and in that sense, it was helpful. However, I felt that the author just brushed the surface of an understanding of any depth; the parts that were insightful were good, but left me wanting more. However, since there are not too many books about The Magic Mountain in print today, you might want to get a copy of these Cliff Notes; they will not answer all your questions about this novel, but they will set you on track to correctly understand it.