Summary of Doctor Faustus
“Doctor Faustus” tells the story of a composer, Adrian Leverkühn, who deliberately infects himself with syphilis to boost his artistic inspiration during periods of fever. In his madness, he strikes a pact with the devil, trading his soul for 24 years of unparalleled musical genius.
Reasons to read Doctor Faustus
“Doctor Faustus” is a rich book, with many different layers, including references to the medieval Faust legend and to the rise and fall of the Nazi regime, and philosophical inquiries into the nature and cost of artistic inspiration. “Doctor Faustus” is widely considered as a cornerstone in the oeuvre of Thomas Mann (together with “The Magic Mountain, “Buddenbrooks”, and “Death in Venice“) and in 20th century German literature in general. The novel “Mephisto” by Thomas Mann’s son Klaus Mann presents an exploration of similar themes. Thomas Mann received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1929.
Setting: Germany, Italy
Book set in Germany: various places in Germany, including Munich, Leipzig, and the fictious Pfeiffering (modelled on Polling); Palestrina (Italy).
Original title: Doktor Faustus: Das Leben des deutschen Tonsetzers Adrian Leverkühn, erzählt von einem Freunde
Year of publication: 1947
Nr of pages: 580
