Der Zauberberg

"Der Zauberberg" ("The Magic Mountain") by Thomas Mann is a novel set in a Swiss sanatorium, exploring themes of time, illness, and philosophy. It follows Hans Castorp, a young man who visits his sick cousin and ends up staying for seven years. Throughout this period, he encounters diverse characters and engages in discussions about life, death, and modern society. The story symbolizes intellectual and spiritual debates of early 20th-century Europe, using the sanatorium as a microcosm of broader societal and existential questions. The novel reflects on how time and experiences shape human understanding.