Customer Reviews

Mephisto (Classic, 20th-Century, Penguin)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

this book is a great read. i really loved the way the mephisto mythical story was told through the eyes of the protaganist. i also really enjoyed how the ruling party at the time was referred to as the devil. a very progressive story for its time.

An absolutely fascinating book. The actor Hendrik Höfgen becomes the symbol of the "untrue, unreal regime" by selling all his higher ideals to the mith of fame, subsquently loosing himself in the process. Many things are extraordinary about this book: - Klaus Man wrote the book in 1936, never the less in reading it I felt he new exactly what was going to happen in Germany (and Europe) and the bitter end it would take. - The way the stage figure Höfgen parallels the political development of Germany. (In one scene he is attemting to figure out how he will play Hamlet and quarrels with the vision of the Dane. Mephisto-Höfgen is not able to grasp the role, for he has not suffered for his ideals, he cannot understand a Hamlet. He no longer can think that way.) - ... It is in deed hard to describe this book... But I find it a must for everyone interested in theatre and how "free" art can be. May be. Should be. Could be.

this book is one of the best books that a ever read,Klaus mann create a very good atmosfere,and very well,cuz he was inspired by real people or friends and than create those personages,VERY very very well made book and for sure,very sadly..

Why Sadly? the book just relates NAZY GERMAN at all,doesn't realate the NEW GERMANY.I know the book was wrote at this date but klaus mann doesn't use nothing to relate some imaginere future of GERMANY..just the presente and the presente...

Why I GIVE 5 STARS for a Germany strange and deep complexo book?? VERY SIMPLE,The sarcasm that klaus mann use is so funny and even so real that make me laugh at times,the personages are very well made,The nazy party are well related(NOT AT ALL)..

Conclusion: AVOID THIS one if you don't like GERMANY or World histoy or hate actors feelings or book...But if you want a book that show really how the germany was in 1936 to 1940,with excelent characters,complex and Very deep history,so this book is for you,and i'm sure that you won't be disappointed

PS: my english is very poor now,i will incrise

thankz

this book is great..and it is not for Dumb people or people who doesn't read much becowse have a diferent kind of vocabulary...But Klaus mann best romance is PRETTY GOOD.The way of he tell the history for us,and the way that he describe the characters(Mainly Heindrik) IS PERFECT AND VERY VERY Sarcastic,at the first pages,he really use the sarcastic vocabulary to show us how are the nazy and important party

VERY VERY GOOD,Not to be missed

This book is very good as a people study. It has interesting characters whose personalities are well-described. Most of the characters are based on true family, friends and acquaintances of Klaus Mann, and he draws them very well. He vividly presents the personalities and the atmosphere of artistic life in late Weimar Republic.

However, this is supposed to be a political novel at heart, and here Mann comes across as hopelessly naive and self-indulgent. He is obviously not familiar with politics or economics of Germany. I think this was because he grew up in a overprotective artistic and intellectual atmosphere which stunted his independent development. This cluelessness results in a helpless and angry attitude of the author and of the book. I was saddened to find out that Klaus Mann committed suicide in 1946 because he was just too overwhelmed by the catastrophy that befell his Germany. It's unfortunate, because he missed the greatest period of German rebirth that started in 1948 and continues even today.

If a reader wants to know more about the history of the NAZI Party do not read this book because it is pretty horrible. Overall it tells the story of an actor who lives in the NAZI environment.