pick3) The omnipresent third party writing is delightfully tainted by the author‘s own opinions on the main character both through their own description but also through how characters see him, eg Barbara‘s pity, Höfgen being on managers‘ laps to get extra money etc 4) the development of the main character. The themes of self esteem, envy, the parallels between Höfgen on and off stage are so closely aligned that it makes a clear point about himself
pickJust some ramblings: 1) the depictions of the characters in general are spaced out so well that it feels very organic 2) the most fascinating parts of the storyline involves revelation of a trait and/or a memory,eg: Nicoletta‘s efforts into marrying Barbara off. tbc
She believed herself to be surrounded by the ‘people‘s love‘ because two thousand turncoats, freeloaders and snobs made noise in her honor. She believed in all seriousness that God was on her side bevause he had allowed her to accumulate so much jewellery.
pickMy ‘Mann‘ can‘t look past the fact that everyone is ‘a bit too fat‘. I think I get what he‘s doing but it also keeps on catching me off guard. When it is stated so directly with no context.
“…she occasionally pleaded with her husband for Jews in high social positions - yet Jews were still being sent to concentration camps. Lotte was called the Good Angel of the prime minister; yet his cruelty had become no milder since she had gone to work on him.” The Nazis having performative socialites hadn‘t ever crossed my mind; this shows my naivety in how I saw them as so distinct from us, and how distraught I become to see such parallels now.
Clouds of artificial fragrance had been sprayed in every room, as though to prevent people from inhaling another odour: the stale, sweet stenfh of blood, which permeated the entire country.
pickAfter reading Magic mountain written by his father at the beginning of the year, I was scared of starting this one. I thought, I would have the same problems but I was wrong. As Klaus Mann once said, I can't write like my father, I must say, I am happy about that.
It is a very serious subject about what he wrote and in my eyes he did a great job. Without knowing Gründgens but all the other characters are described in such a good manner and ⬇️
Tomorrow we don't need to work in Germany tomorrow, so I can sit on the sofa and try to read one or two hours... I hope my eyes don't have another plan. 😊
So after household, wrapping and wrapping gifts and doing lists for work tomorrow, I finally have some time (bf is playing chess again) to cuddle on the sofa, drinking roast apple tea (finally it's autumn) with my new owlish mug, snacking some Milka cookies and trying to get some reading done. 😊
After waiting so many months to start this one for #litsyclassics , I finally try it. It isn't an easy subject and the chosen bookmark doesn't reflect the reality. It isn't only a book... So let's have a look.
A chilling tale of evil, how it grows and spreads, and makes you contemplate how easy it would be for it all to happen again.
Klaus Mann's protagonist is a 'thinly veiled portrait' of his brother-in-law whose behaviour he truly disliked.
A great read.
I've started my first #summersantagoespostal book. I am hooked.
Thanks @Izai.Amorim 👍😊
I found the book to tag, it's got the correct cover but the wrong title.
Mephisto | 
