Death in Venice Author:Thomas Mann Except for Faulkner, Mann is the only great 20th century novelish who also has mastered the shorter forms of fiction. The virtuosity with wich, in his stories, he establishes in a couple of pages an invariably unique situation likely to surprise those who may have been overawed at times by the bulk and the complexity of his celebrated novels. ... more »His raconteurs's gusto leads the characters of his tales and novellas straight to the revealing crisis. Yet the flow of the narrative is ever forced He never allows the "irony toward both sides" which is so peculiar to hsi style, to make a point for its own sake.« less