Tonio Kroger

by Thomas Mann (the short story in Death In Venice and Seven Other Stories)

Introduction and Acquisition: Picked up this book at the library sale, I believe, maybe a few years ago. Of course read Death in Venice in college, but never bothered with the seven other stories. This book was sitting on my shelf, and I wanted something to read.

Time and Circumstance: First warm weekend of spring, 2007, late April. First weekend after finishing graduate school. We were planning to sit outside at his parent's house, and I wanted something good to read.

What was cool: Manns' prose makes me slow down, the sentences are thick and without fluffly fillers and phrases. I have to stop skimming as I normally do, and read it word for word. That causes frustration at first, but it also makes me sit up and notice.

What sucked: Not being familiar with Mann's works other than Death in Venice, and having no idea what Tonio Kruger was about, I asked my DH after the first few pages, "Does Thomas Mann write about nothing but homosexual relationships?" - [after finishing story] Honestly, the end was a let-down. Not so much a story as some philosophical spewing. I got bored with the grown up Tonio's speech to Lisabeta, and skipped most of it, which was apparently a rather significant part. Anti-climactic ending.

Leftover thoughts: Might be better if I was in the mood for philosophizing.