1912High Modernism
Death in Venice
Thomas Mann · 1875–1955 · Germany
Originally Der Tod in Venedig (German)
Why it matters
A disciplined great writer undone by beauty on the Lido, cholera creeping through the canals. The perfect novella of art's danger to the artist: dignity and desire in fatal, gorgeous collision.
At a glance
psychological noveltragedy
Difficulty 6/10slow pace96 pagesDense, allusive prose steeped in classical and Nietzschean reference.
Deep dive
A disciplined artist goes to Venice to rest, and instead lets cholera, cosmetics, and an unreachable boy dismantle every value he's built his life on.
Where to go next
Thomas Mann · 1901BuddenbrooksLvl 5Slow burn
Thomas Mann · 1924The Magic MountainLvl 8Slow burn
Thomas Mann · 1933Joseph and His BrothersLvl 8Slow burn
Thomas Mann · 1947Doctor FaustusLvl 8Slow burn
Thomas Mann · 1954Confessions of Felix Krull, Confidence ManLvl 5Medium pace
Hermann Hesse · 1922SiddharthaLvl 3Medium pace