About the book
Over the last twenty years, much critical discussion of Thomas Mann has highlighted his homosexuality. This not only is presented as a dynamic underlying Mann’s creative work, but also is the supposed reason for the theme of guilt and redemption that grew ever stronger in Mann’s fiction, and for his panic in 1933 that his early diaries would fall into the hands of the Nazis.
Michael Maar mounts a devastating forensic challenge to this consensus: Mann was remarkably open about his sexual orientation, which he saw as no reason for guilt. But sexuality in Mann’s work is inextricably bound up with an eruption of violence. Maar pursues this trail through Mann’s writings and traces its origins back to Mann’s second visit to Italy, during which the Devil appeared to him in Palestrina. Something happened to the twenty-one-year-old Thomas Mann in Naples that marked him for life with a burdensome sense of guilt...but what exactly was it?
Editions of Bluebeard's Chamber
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781859845295
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781786635754
- EBook
- ISBN 9781786635778
Read an Excerpt
Over the last twenty years, much critical discussion of Thomas Mann has highlighted his homosexuality. This not only is presented as a dynamic underlying Mann’s creative work, but also is the supposed reason for the theme of guilt and redemption that grew ever stronger in Mann’s fiction, and for his panic in 1933 that his early diaries would fall into the hands of the Nazis.
Michael Maar mounts a devastating forensic challenge to this consensus: Mann was remarkably open about his sexual orientation, which he saw as no reason for guilt. But sexuality in Mann’s work is inextricably bound up with an eruption of violence. Maar pursues this trail through Mann’s writings and traces its origins back to Mann’s second visit to Italy, during which the Devil appeared to him in Palestrina. Something happened to the twenty-one-year-old Thomas Mann in Naples that marked him for life with a burdensome sense of guilt...but what exactly was it?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bluebeard's Chamber about?
Over the last twenty years, much critical discussion of Thomas Mann has highlighted his homosexuality. This not only is presented as a dynamic underlying Mann’s creative work, but also is the supposed reason for the theme of guilt and redemption that grew ever stronger in Mann’s fiction, and for his panic in 1933 that his early diaries would fall into the hands of the Nazis.
Michael Maar mounts a devastating forensic challenge to this consensus: Mann was remarkably open about his sexual orientation, which he saw as no reason for guilt. But sexuality in Mann’s work is inextricably bound up with an eruption of violence. Maar pursues this trail through Mann’s writings and traces its origins back to Mann’s second visit to Italy, during which the Devil appeared to him in Palestrina. Something happened to the twenty-one-year-old Thomas Mann in Naples that marked him for life with a burdensome sense of guilt...but what exactly was it?
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Bluebeard's Chamber?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Literature: history and criticism
Where can I read a sample of Bluebeard's Chamber?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781859845295
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Bluebeard's Chamber?
Michael Maar
Who is the Publisher of the book Bluebeard's Chamber?
Verso Books
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Bluebeard's Chamber is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781859845295) and paperback(ISBN 9781786635754) and ebook(ISBN 9781786635778)
Where can I buy Bluebeard's Chamber online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Bluebeard's Chamber from below
Where can I buy Bluebeard's Chamber?