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Literary Fiction· Germany

The Magic Mountain

by Thomas Mann
Aggregate Editorial Score75/100
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Published 1929729 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Thomas Mann's The Magic Mountain (1929) stands as one of the most significant works of literary fiction of its era. Hans Castorp travels to a Swiss mountain sanatorium to visit a cousin and ends up staying for seven years, becoming enmeshed in debates about time, disease, politics, and European civilisation on the eve of World War I. Mann's monumental philosophical novel, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1929, is a supreme achievement of European modernism. Themes of time, disease, European civilisation run through the work. The book has received recognition from Nobel Prize in Literature 1929 and ALA Notable Books 1924.

Book Details

AuthorThomas Mann
Published1929
Country of Origin🇩🇪 Germany
LanguageEnglish
Pages729
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780679772873
Editorial Score75/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇩🇪 Germany

This book is part of Germany's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Germany →

Editorial Assessment

Thomas Mann published The Magic Mountain in 1929, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from Germany. The book's treatment of time, disease, European civilisation, philosophy accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Critics and institutions have consistently placed The Magic Mountain among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: Nobel Prize in Literature 1929; ALA Notable Books 1924. Our aggregate score of 75/100 is compiled from 2 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. What distinguishes The Magic Mountain is how it handles its central concerns — time, disease, European civilisation, philosophy — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Thomas Mann's role in the literature of Germany is well established. The Magic Mountain can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 2 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Nobel Prize in Literature
winner · global
192960
ALA Notable Books
notable · national
192410
✍️
About the Author
Thomas Mann
Germany
View Author →

Thomas Mann is a celebrated author from Germany known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Magic Mountain about?

Hans Castorp travels to a Swiss mountain sanatorium to visit a cousin and ends up staying for seven years, becoming enmeshed in debates about time, disease, politics, and European civilisation on the eve of World War I. Mann's monumental philosophical novel, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1929, is a supreme achievement of European modernism.

Who wrote The Magic Mountain?

The Magic Mountain was written by Thomas Mann, from Germany. First published in 1929.

What awards has The Magic Mountain won?

The Magic Mountain has received the following awards and honours: Nobel Prize in Literature 1929; ALA Notable Books 1924.

Is The Magic Mountain worth reading?

The Magic Mountain is a well-regarded book with solid critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 69/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 2 editorial sources. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in time, disease, European civilisation.

Where can I buy The Magic Mountain?

You can buy The Magic Mountain on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Magic Mountain?

The Magic Mountain is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Magic Mountain from?

The Magic Mountain originates from Germany's literary tradition. Explore more books from Germany on our country page.

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