Masters of their craft
Thomas Mann (1875-1955) and Hermann Hesse (1877-1962), titans of German literature and Nobel laureates, were more than just writers. They were both actively engaged in various initiatives and social projects throughout their lives. They first met in 1904. Both of them were prolific letter writers. It is estimated that Mann wrote well over 20,000 letters in his lifetime and Hesse over 35,000.
When Mann died, Hesse paid a handsome and moving tribute to him, in the form of a eulogy, which was pubblished in Neue Zürcher Zeitung, the Swiss newspaper, and is reproduced in this book, Part of it reads:
"For decades, the German public at large failed utterly to see what a great heart, what loyalty, responsibility and capacity for love lay behind his irony and virtuosity. These qualities will keep his work and his memory alive long after these troubled times have passed away."
Hesse, too, has grown immensely in stature since his own death, and his work and memory are also still very much alive.
The letters published in this book give one an insight into some of the events that shaped their thinking and their lives, and if one is not famiiar with their works, this book is a good starting point to discover two masters of their craft.
