The Magic Mountain
by
main characters
Hans Castorp, Joachim Ziemssen
Rip's impressions
A true Bildungsroman, or coming of age novel: narrative driven; a philosophical, introspective read, and long. The interplay between the logic-driven western culture (Apollonian) and the lure of the more exotic eastern, mystical mindset (Dionysiac)––a duality he would grapple with in much of his fiction. Hans travels to the Swiss Alps for treatment at a sanatorium in search of a cure for a supposed case of consumption; he stayed much longer than he ever dreamed he would.
first line
An ordinary young man was on his way from his hometown of Hamburg to Davos-Platz in the canton of Graubunden. It was the height of summer, and he planned to stay for three weeks.
last lines
(spoiler alert)
And out of this worldwide festival of death, this ugly rutting fever that inflames the rainy evening sky all around––will love someday rise up out of this, too?
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