Death in Venice
Death in VeniceThomas Mann
Buy on Amazon

Death in Venice (1954)

Thomas Mann

Others: Positive

In DEATH IN VENICE, an elderly, famous, and wealthy writer named Aschenbach goes on vacation. He becomes fascinated with Tadzio, a young teenager who is staying with his family at Aschenbach's hotel. As his obsession grows, and despite warnings that a plague is threatening Venice, Aschenbach remains at the hotel hoping to make a connection with the elusive Tadzio. Mann's novel is celebrated for its subtle characterization, and its exploration of the struggles of the artist--the longing for transcendence and ideal beauty vs. the need to sacrifice for one's art.

ISBN:
9780679600404
Length:
404 pages

Genres: classics

Lists: …

Similar books

1 of 6
  • The mezzanine

    Nicholson Baker

    1988 · 135 pages · 4 reviews

    Others: Positive

    Although most of the action of The Mezzanine occurs on the escalator of an office building, where its narrator is returning to work after buying shoelaces, this startlingly inventive and witty novel takes us farther than most fiction written today. It lends to milk cartons the associative richness of Marcel Proust's madeleines. It names the eight most significant advances in a human life —beginning with shoe-tying. It asks whether the hot air blowers in bathrooms really are more sanitary than towels. And it casts a dazzling light on our relations with the objects and people we usually take for granted.

    Why?

    What made the match, strongest first

    On 5+ of the same lists
    70%
    Also classics
    30%
    Personalize your recommendations
  • Hunger

    Knut Hamsun

    2008 · 155 pages · 1 review

    Others: Positive

    Hungerby Knut Hamsun is a psychological exploration of desperation, human will, and existential struggle. Through the eyes of the unnamed protagonist, Hamsun paints a stark picture of poverty and isolation in a modernizing city. The protagonist's hunger is both literal and symbolic, representing not only his physical deprivation but also his yearning for meaning and artistic recognition. The novel delves into the complexities of mental instability as the narrator fluctuates between states of delusion, pride, and anguish, revealing the depths of human suffering and resilience. Since its publication, Hunger has been hailed as a pioneering work in modernist literature. Its introspective narrative style and focus on the inner turmoil of the protagonist have influenced many later writers. The novel's existential themes resonate with readers, touching on the alienation and internal conflict faced by individuals in a rapidly changing society. Hamsun's depiction of the psychological effects of extreme hunger and poverty is both poignant and unsettling, offering a raw portrayal of human endurance in the face of societal neglect. The relevance of Hunger persists due to its timeless exploration of human nature. By examining the intersections of pride, despair, and the quest for survival, the novel provides a profound commentary on the fragility of the human condition. Hamsun's work continues to inspire reflection on issues of poverty, mental health, and the search for purpose, making it a powerful contribution to world literature

    Why?

    What made the match, strongest first

    On 5+ of the same lists
    66%
    Also classics
    31%
    Similar descriptions
    3%
    Personalize your recommendations
  • Tropic of Cancer

    Henry Miller

    1934 · 321 pages · 1 review

    Others: Positive

    A stream-of-consciousness story of a poverty-stricken young American, living in Paris.

    Why?

    What made the match, strongest first

    On 5+ of the same lists
    55%
    Also classics
    34%
    Better Than Food loved both
    11%
    Personalize your recommendations
  • Nausea

    Jean-Paul Sartre

    1938 · 233 pages · 1 review

    Others: Positive

    A fascinating existentialist novel, written in the form of a journal, about a historian who moves to a small port in northern France to research a biography he is intending to write. Whilst there his senses become dulled and he becomes increasingly disgusted by his own existence, finding no solace with friends or a woman he begins an affair with.

    Why?

    What made the match, strongest first

    On 5+ of the same lists
    62%
    Also classics
    36%
    Similar descriptions
    2%
    Personalize your recommendations
  • Brideshead Revisited

    Evelyn Waugh

    1945 · 336 pages · 4 reviews

    Others: Leaning negative

    The most nostalgic and reflective of Evelyn Waugh's novels, Brideshead Revisited looks back to the golden age before the Second World War. It tells the story of Charles Ryder's infatuation with the Marchmains and the rapidly-disappearing world of privilege they inhabit. Enchanted first by Sebastian at Oxford, then by his doomed Catholic family, in particular his remote sister, Julia, Charles comes finally to recognize only his spiritual and social distance from them.

    Why?

    What made the match, strongest first

    Also classics
    72%
    On 5+ of the same lists
    27%
    Similar descriptions
    1%
    Personalize your recommendations
  • Trainspotting

    Irvine Welsh

    1993 · 348 pages · 1 review

    Others: Positive

    Scottish writer Irvine Welsh's first novel, Trainspotting, is a collection of short-stories revolving around a group of friends, their drug use, and struggles in the city of Edinburgh.

    Why?

    What made the match, strongest first

    On 5+ of the same lists
    65%
    Also classics
    24%
    Similar descriptions
    11%
    Personalize your recommendations

Reviews1