It was the first book I read by Colm Tóibín and it won't surely be the last as I fell in love with his style of writing.
I requested this book because Thomas Mann is one of my favorite writers and was in love with his books since i read Mario and the Magician long time ago.
Mann is a complex writer and the book talks about his family and his personal story. His personal story is quite tragic and he had to face the horror of German XX centuries and his familiar drama. He wasn't a saint but he was a hell of a great writer describing the decline of European bourgeoisie.
I loved how Tóibín follows him and his family since his early years in Lubeck, his expectations and his struggle with his homosexuality.
It's a fascinating and well researched story of a man, an historical period. I think you can read it as a novel or as homage to Mann.
It's not an easy or fast read, it analyses Thomas mind and each event is also a great descriptions of the setting and the people around Mann.
I loved it and I think I will read the other books by this author.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine