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The Buddenbrooks

  • Writer: Kathy Miller
    Kathy Miller
  • Feb 21
  • 1 min read

Updated: Feb 28

Thomas Mann, 1901

Date read: 2/20/26


This novel reminded me strongly of the Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy. They were written roughly the same time (the first Forsyte novel came out in 1906) and both follow a family's decline over generations.


I enjoyed a lot of the novel. However, it is very religious which I did not enjoy at all. Also there are a few hanging threads that are never resolved (like Tony's first love, the medical student). And there's antisemitism, but it isn't terribly overt.


In all, it is a great representation of family trauma and how your ancestors impact your life even if you never met them directly, because they live on in you and your family.

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