The Magic Mountain

Interesting Facts

• The novel was written over 12 years and is considered one of the most significant works of 20th-century German literature.
• The novel is set in a tuberculosis sanatorium in the Swiss Alps, symbolizing isolation and detachment from the real world.
• The main character, Hans Castorp, arrives at the sanatorium for three weeks but stays for seven years, reflecting the theme of time and its relativity.
• The novel is filled with philosophical reflections and discussions on life, death, love, and art, making it a complex and multi-layered work.
• The book contains autobiographical elements: Thomas Mann drew inspiration from his own experience visiting a sanatorium where his wife was treated.
• One of the central characters is the Italian humanist Lodovico Settembrini, who embodies progress and enlightenment, contrasting with other characters with more pessimistic views.
• The novel was initially conceived as a satirical novella but eventually evolved into an epic work encompassing numerous themes and ideas.