Summary of Mephisto
“Mephisto” by Klaus Mann portrays an artist – the actor Hendrik Höfgen – who forsakes his conscience and collaborates with the Nazis to further his professional ambitions and elevate his social standing.
Reasons to read Mephisto
Klaus Mann’s novel “Mephisto” is a highlight of anti-fascist literature. The novel drew inspiration from the medieval Faust legend and from the life of Gustaf GrĂĽndgens – Klaus Mann’s former lover and brother-in-law. It was long banned in Germany following libel suits. Its central theme is that of the artist who sacrifices his ideals and his friends to his burning ambition. A decade later, Klaus Mann’s father Thomas Mann published his own book “Doctor Faustus”, a novel with thematic parallels, that is believed to be inspired by the life of his son Klaus Mann.
Setting: Hamburg, Berlin (Germany) & Paris (France)
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Original title: Mephisto: Roman einer Karriere
Year of publication: 1936
Nr of pages: 272
