Buddenbrooks

by Thomas Mann
Buddenbrooks cover
Good Books rating 4.36
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 1479
  • Added: 2025-10-06
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9780679752608
  • Publisher: Vintage
  • Published: 1994-06-28
  • Formats: 12
  • Reviews: 4

Buddenbrooks, first published in 1900, is Thomas Mann's debut novel that earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1929. This sweeping family chronicle spans four generations of the Buddenbrooks, a bourgeois family in northern Germany, capturing the intricacies of their lives with unparalleled detail and depth. Mann's intricate portrayal of middle-class life, filled with births, marriages, and deaths, showcases the subtle variations and inevitable changes that each generation brings. The novel is celebrated for its immense scope and rich humanity, setting a benchmark for family sagas in modern literature. /n/n As the Buddenbrooks family navigates the complexities of tradition and modernity, their eventual downfall becomes a poignant exploration of the tensions between old-world values and the seductions of progress. Mann's masterful storytelling and profound insights into human behavior make Buddenbrooks a timeless classic, often regarded as one of his greatest works.

Reviews
Mostly About Stories · 2021-11-22
fascinating 4.00

The novel is a complex and fascinating portrayal of a family's decline, with moments that are both touching and insightful. It masterfully blends realism with deep emotional resonance.

The reviewer finds "Buddenbrooks" to be a complex and fascinating exploration of the declining fortunes of a merchant family in Lübeck. They appreciate the novel's realistic portrayal of the family's struggles and the emotional depth it brings to the story. The reviewer particularly enjoys the way Mann captures the nuances of family dynamics and the impact of societal changes on the characters. The novel's blend of realism and emotional resonance makes it a compelling read, offering both insight and entertainment.

Quick quotes

    Buddenbrooks is a complex, fascinating, at times touching portrayal of the declining fortunes of a family of Lübeck-based merchants.

    Mann masterfully blends realism with deep emotional resonance.

    The novel offers both insight and entertainment.

Reddit - r/books · 2021-01-01
enjoyable 4.75

The reviewer praises the novel for its well-written narrative and the amazing development of its characters. They particularly enjoy the subtle humour and the way the story unfolds.

The reviewer from Reddit's r/books community highlights the novel's well-written narrative and the amazing development of its characters. They particularly enjoy the subtle humour and the way the story unfolds, making it an enjoyable read. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the characters and the intricate plotting, which adds to the overall richness of the novel. They suggest that the book's ability to blend humour with serious themes makes it a standout work in literature.

Quick quotes

    It is very well written, the development of the story and characters is amazing.

    The humour is very good and subtle.

    The way he uses the story to explore family dynamics is remarkable.

Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau Blog · 2020-10-05
impressive 4.20

The novel is impressive for its depth and maturity, defying its author's young age. It offers a powerful exploration of family dynamics and societal changes.

The reviewer is impressed by the depth and maturity of "Buddenbrooks," especially considering that it was written by a young Thomas Mann. They highlight the novel's powerful exploration of family dynamics and the impact of societal changes on the characters. The reviewer appreciates the way Mann delves into the complexities of the human experience, making the novel both thought-provoking and engaging. The reviewer also notes the novel's timeless quality, which resonates with readers even today.

Quick quotes

    Impressive, then, that Thomas Mann—who wrote this book in his early 20s, which is really amazing, it does not feel like a young person's book—

    Mann delves into the complexities of the human experience.

    The novel's timeless quality resonates with readers even today.

The New York Times · 1997-09-21
profound 4.50

The novel offers a rich and earthy portrayal of a family's decline, capturing the nuances of their lives with remarkable detail. It's a profound exploration of the human condition and the passage of time.

The reviewer praises "Buddenbrooks" for its deep and earthy depiction of the Buddenbrook family's decline. They highlight Mann's ability to capture the intricacies of family dynamics and the passage of time, making it a profound exploration of the human condition. The novel's detailed portrayal of the family's daily lives and struggles is particularly noteworthy, offering a rich and immersive reading experience. The reviewer appreciates the way Mann weaves together the personal and the historical, creating a tapestry that is both intimate and expansive.

Quick quotes

    Mann's "Buddenbrooks" chronicles four generations in the history of a prosperous North German bourgeois family.

    A classic of modern literature.

    The novel offers a rich and earthy portrayal of a family's decline.

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