Jeroen Vandenbossche’s Reviews > La théorie du roman > Status Update

What did make you choose this one? I remember he was a prototype for Thomas Mann’s Leo Naphta and I thought I knew enough:-))

Katia wrote: "What did make you choose this one? I remember he was a prototype for Thomas Mann’s Leo Naphta and I thought I knew enough:-))"

Haha, yes I heard that theory before but, frankly, I did not notice any similarities yet. It has been several decades since I read The Magic Mountain so I cannot claim I remember the actual content of the conversations between Naphta and Settembrini. I only remember the general thrust, the atmosphere and the desperate attempts by Castorp to keep up with the esteemed intellectuals.

Why did I pick this one? I don’t know. I read it once already in Dutch translation many moons ago and last year I read a bit of Benjamin. Maybe it was the latter who inspired me? Anyway, I definitely find this a fascinating read even if a lot of it is over my head. I don’t know who Gyorgy’s intended audience exactly was but I am sure they read a lot more Hegel and Schelling than I did…😉

You are moving closer and closer to Hegel:-) Have you thought of reading Kojeve and his lectures (or maybe you have done it ages ago). I've just noticed many inc M-Ponty were enchanted by him. I love Benjamin but never tried Lukacs. Look forward to your review before reconsidering my prejudices:-))