Joseph and His Brothers

Thomas Mann · 1875–1955 · Germany

Originally Joseph und seine Brüder (German)

Why it matters

Sixteen years and four volumes spent retelling Genesis, Jacob, Joseph, the pit, Egypt, at the scale of national epic, myth read as psychology and history at once. Mann's largest single achievement, and by his own account his favorite.

At a glance

Vast four-volume scope and essayistic retelling of Genesis demand real commitment.