Arena

Although a fictionalised biography of Thomas Mann, a knowledge of his books isn't needed to appreciate Toibin's novel. It traces Mann’s development as a writer, but just as interestingly, it places him at the centre of early 20th-century German turbulence, which humorously Mann did his utmost to 'escape' (there is a constant reference to him returning to his study ??) but the real world kept breaking in, often through the antics of his immediate family. Toibin's writing style is approachable. He tells the story of Mann's life in deservingly elegant prose. Thomas Mann is a complicated person, aiming for an elegant, graceful lifestyle, writing his books while the 20th century rages around him. I rate it 5/5