Self-Confession of the Great Deceiver Kruel: Thomas Mann Collected Works

Author: (German) Mann, translated by Junyu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: This is Thomas Mann's last work and his only crime novel. In this book, the author breaks away from his traditional serious writing style, adopting a humorous and satirical tone to vividly portray the life of a playboy. The artistic level achieved in the plot presentation, character development, and language refinement of the novel remains unmatched by later writers. Critics regard this book as Thomas Mann's "most outstanding and exquisite achievement," and "his most personally distinctive work."
Kruel was born into a wealthy merchant family. Nurtured by his family, he was intelligent and talented from a young age. As he grew older and possessed natural charm, he had many admirers and moved effortlessly in high society. The bankruptcy and suicide of his father led to a sharp decline in his family's fortune, which devastated Kruel. He began to give up on himself, embracing a hedonistic and carefree lifestyle. He spent time in major cities like Frankfurt, Paris, and Lisbon, indulging in the pleasures of the world, learning to associate with prostitutes and using smooth talk to deceive wealthy women of jewelry and the hearts of wealthy young ladies. He not only ruined himself but also harmed others, engaging in fraud, theft, and all manner of reckless behavior. In the end, he ended up in prison, disgraced and ruined.
Critics consider this book to be Thomas Mann's "most outstanding and exquisite achievement," and "his most personally distinctive work."