The Magician

A fictionalized biography of Thomas Mann, who's own novels had many autobiographical elements. While this well executed, and a great source of information about Mann and his family, my attention often drifted while the novel lost itself in too many details. It's written like a biography with an insight into Mann's mind. We hear so many conversations, and so many details about their different emigration routes, I would have wished for more magic.

This was a brilliant accomplishment, and a fascinating window into the life of Thomas Mann and his family. I learned a great deal, and enjoyed the detail and insights. It did read more like non-fiction, but that was fine for me. I also wondered if it could've been a bit shorter, but perhaps I felt this way because I was listening. The narration was excellent.