Doctor Faustus by Thomas Mann
The Life of the German Composer Adrian Leverkühn, Told by a Friend
The novel is a reimagining of the Faust legend set in the context of the first half of the 20th century and the turmoil of Germany in that period. It tells the story of a composer who makes a pact with the devil, exchanging his soul for unlimited creative genius. The protagonist's life and work reflect the cultural and political journey of Germany leading up to World War II, providing a deep exploration of the individual's role in a society undergoing dramatic change. The novel is also a profound meditation on the nature of time, the art and the artist, and the destructiveness of human ambition.
The 134th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1947
- Nationality
- German
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 500-700
- Words
- 184,000
- Original Language
- German
- Alternate Titles
-
- Doutor Fausto
- Doktor Faustus
If you're interested in seeing the ranking details on this book go here
This book is on the following 19 lists:
- 4th on The 100 Best Novels of the 20th Century (Folha de São Paulo)
- 4th on Biblioteca (Argentina)
- 10th on Best German Novels of the Twentieth Century (Wikipedia)
- 16th on 100 Essential Books (Bravo! Magazine)
- 38th on Kanon na koniec wieku (Canon at the end of the century) (Rzeczpospolita (newspaper))
- 64th on Our Users' Honorable Mention Favorite Books of All Time (The Greatest Books Users)
- 85th on 100 Best Books (Montana State University)
- 96th on 100 Books of Classical and Modern Foreign Literature (The Union of Russian Writers)
- 236th on Our Users' Favorite Books of All Time (The Greatest Books Users)
- The Guardian's Essential Library (The Guardian)
- Best Foreign Work of Fiction Chosen by Francophone Writers (French literary magazine Transfuge)
- Landmarks of World Literature (Cambridge University)
- Everything You Should Read without Being a Library Rat (Book by Luiz Carlos Lisboa)
- Zeit Literaturkanon (https://www.librarything.com/award/335/ZEIT-Literaturkanon)
- 100 Life-Changing Books (National Book Award)
- 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (The Book)
- El Pais Favorite Books of 100 Spanish Authors (El Pais)
- Harold Bloom's The Western Canon (The Western Canon (Book) by Harold Bloom)
- Masterpieces of World Literature (Frank N. Magill)