On June 6, 1875, Thomas Mann was born in Lübeck, Germany. One hundred and fifty-one years later, his novels and short stories remain among the most searching works in world literature. To mark the anniversary of this Nobel Prize-winning author, we revisit the life and major achievements of the man often called Germany’s greatest writer since Goethe — from the generational saga of Buddenbrooks and the philosophical labyrinth of The Magic Mountain to the devastating beauty of Death in Venice and the antifascist parable of Mario and the Magician. We also gather five of his most enduring quotes on art, solitude, freedom, and the human condition. Whether you are coming to Mann for the first time or returning to a lifelong companion, this is an invitation to read — or reread — one of the twentieth century’s most indispensable literary voices. Continue reading Thomas Mann: The Magician of Lübeck