Royal Highness Book

Having always wanted to read Thomas Mann, I am truly sorry I waited so long. He is a fine writer. Royal Highness is a very satisfying novel in the classic sense of a 'Good Read'. Not thrilling as so many contemporary plots, but a story to enjoy for its own sake, a reflection of another time, with rigid rules, courtly manners, and royal lives.

The main character, HRH Klaus Heinrich, is a very sympathetic royal, more servant to his title than graced by it. The second son of distant parents, living in impoverished aristocracy, Klaus is a gentle young man with a foreshortened left arm. His only real 'friends' growing up, if they can called that are his younger sister and his teacher, but even they must keep to strict rules of decorum; a lonely life for Klaus with little hope for happiness. And yet there are signs which indicate future change.

If you have not read Royal Highness, it is available to read for free on Kindle and to listen to at Librivox. Most enjoyable story. It deserves to be better known.

The Magic Mountain, Mann's most famous work, has long been on my shelf. Guess I don't have any more excuses to put it off! ☺


June 23, 2018: Bought this many moons ago when Blackstone still was and they were having one of their sales. Not sure why I never listened to it. It got stuck away high on a shelf, that is for sure. And I have always wanted to read Thomas Mann. So far it is great!

Listening as I exercise, which is motivational, but not enough time...