Book Club: Death in Venice
Thomas Mann's novella exploring lust and longing.
Published in 1912, Death in Venice is a novella by Thomas Mann.
What's it about?
The story centres around Aschenbach - a renowned writer who visits Venice.
He becomes obsessed with a boy that is also staying at his hotel - Tadzio.
The city suffers from an outbreak of cholera, which Aschenbach ultimately succumbs to - almost as if he has been consumed by his unrequited obsession with the boy.
What was the inspiration for the story?
In 1911, Mann and his wife, Katia, holidayed in Venice and stayed at the Grand Hôtel des Bains. Katia's memoir confirmed that during their stay, Mann had become obsessed with a young Polish boy who was staying at the hotel - the description of Tadzio matching exactly the boy that Mann had observed in real life.
There are also a lot of allusions to Greek mythology and philosophy throughout the story.
Is Death in Venice worth reading?
It's become an iconic story that is frequently referenced. It's a quick read that immerses you in the fevered obsession of a man who feels life slipping through his fingers.
Film adaptation
A film adaptation of the novel was released in 1971.
Directed by Luchino Visconti, the film starred Dirk Bogarde as Aschenbach and Björn Andrésen as Tadzio.
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