Thomas Mann and the novel Buddenbrooks (1901)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas Mann (1875–1955) wrote his first novel Buddenbrooks over three years (1897-1900). 

 

It was published in 1901. It was a long story, more than 700 pages, published in two volumes.

 

The novel covers the downfall of a rich merchant family in Lübeck in the northern region of Germany.

 

What was his inspiration?

 

Thomas Mann was born and raised in Lübeck. He was inspired by the history of his own family and the people around them.

 

The novel covers four generations of the fictional Buddenbrooks family. The time frame runs from 1835 to 1877. A period of 42 years. 

 

Since a generation is at least 25 years, it is clear that this novel does not cover four full generations.

 

The four generations are represented by the following characters:

 

# 1. Johann, who is the founder

# 2. Jean, who marries Elisabeth

# 3. Thomas, who becomes a Senator

# 4. Hanno, who does not want to be a businessman, because he is more interested in art and music

 

When the novel was published, it was praised by some and condemned by others.

 

Many people in Lübeck believed they could identify many of the fictional characters in the novel with real persons. 

 

They were not happy about the way in which some characters were presented in the novel.

 

Negative voices claimed the author had polluted his own nest by presenting some local people living in Lübeck in a negative light. But after a while, the novel was praised by professional critics.

 

In 1929, Thomas Mann was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. The Nobel Committee mentioned the novel Buddenbrooks when they explained why Thomas Mann was awarded the Nobel Prize.

 

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An English translation of the novel was published in 1924. The translation was done by H. T. Lowe-Porter who went on to translate many other works by Thomas Mann.

 

A second English translation of the novel by John E. Woods was published in 1993.

 

According to several experts of language and literture, the first translation is flawed in several ways. According to several experts of language and literature, the second translation is better, because it is more precise.

 

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Buddenbrooks was turned into a historical drama with two episodes which premiered in West Germany in 1959.

 

Buddenbrooks was turned into a television series with eleven episodes which premiered in 1979. It was a co-production of France and West Germany.

 

Buddenbrooks was turned into a miniseries with two episodes which premiered in 2008.

 

REFERENCES

 

# 1. A link to a discussion about English translations of Thomas Mann

 

Two Perspectives on Thomas Mann and his Translator Mrs. Lowe-Porter by Jo Salas and The Magician by Colm Tobin

 

# 2. Film and video

 

Buddenbrooks:

Thomas Mann und Lübeck

This documentary film premiered in 2025 

Run time = 55 minutes

This film is available on the arte website until 23 November 2025

 

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The famous German author 

Thomas Mann

(1875-1955)

 

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