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The Story. In 1835, with old Johann at the head of the family, the Buddenbrooks are at the height of their prosperity. This prosperity is maintained by the younger Johann. But as the third generation grows up, you see signs of its decline. Even Thomas' energy cannot repair the damage done by Christian's wasting and by Antonie's two disastrous marriages. He does manage to keep up appearances and even to be elected Senator. But when in 1875 he dies, with no capable successor, the business has to be wound up and the end has come.
The Significance. Ostensibly the study of the decay through over-prosperity of a North German merchant family, actually an able and complete study of this, Buddenbrooks is at least two other things: A vividly written picture of the color and way of living of an older and attractive Germany that is now, and that has been for nearly half a century, as dead as Nineveh; and an extraordinarily brilliant depiction of the characters of a group of persons that makes it about as interesting a book as has been offered to the American reading public for a num-ber of years. The last quality is what calls for superlatives. Every character in the book is exhibited to you brilliantly. But Thomas and Christian and Antonie—and a few others—are not merely exhibited to you. Instead, practically the lifetime of each is portrayed flawlessly. You are allowed to see how they change and yet do not change in the slightest; how they grow old both inperceptibly and suddenly.
The Author. Thomas Mann, himself the son of a North German merchant, was born in 1875. Because of the wishes of his family, he spent a short time in the life insurance business, writing secretly at night. But he soon went to Italy for a year. On returning he became the editor of Sim-plicissimus (funny paper, now defunct). Buddenbrooks first appeared in 1901, when Mann was 26 years old. He now lives at Munich, is German correspondent for The Dial.
*BUDDENBROOKS—Thomas Mann—Knopf (2 yols.—$5.00).