Search - Death in Venice : And Seven Other Stories (Vintage International)

Gustav von Aschenbach, an aging and dying composer who suffers from hallucinations, is vacationing in Venice when he is mesmerized by the pure beauty and innocence of a young boy. He finds solace and comfort in it during his last days, though the boy is never aware of the composer. It is a bittersweet tale but nevertheless gracefully written.

"You cannot reach the spirit with the senses. You cannot. It's only by complete domination of the senses that you can ever achieve wisdom, truth, and human dignity."

There is also a movie adapted from the story, made in 1971 and directed by Luchino Visconti.