In December 1945 Thomas Mann wrote a famous letter to Adorno in
which he formulated the principle of montage adopted in his novel
Doctor Faustus. The writer expressly invited the philosopher to
consider, with me, how such a work and I mean Leverkhns work could
more or less be practically realized. Their close collaboration on
questions concerning the character of the fictional composers
putatively late works (Adorno produced specific sketches which are
included as an appendix to the present volume) effectively laid the
basis for a further exchange of letters.
The ensuing correspondence between the two men documents a rare
encounter of creative tension between literary tradition and
aesthetic modernism which would be sustained right up until the
novelists death in 1955. In the letters, Thomas Mann openly
acknowledged his fascinated reading of Adornos Minima Moralia and
commented in detail on the Essay on Wagner, which he was as eager
to read as the one in the Book of Revelation consumes a book which
tastes as sweet as honey. Adorno in turn offered detailed
observations upon and frequently enthusiastic commendations of
Manns later writings, such as The Holy Sinner, The Betrayed One and
The Confessions of Felix Krull. Their correspondence also touches
upon issues of great personal significance, notably the sensitive
discussion of the problems of returning from exile to postwar
Germany.
The letters are extensively annotated and offer the reader
detailed notes concerning the writings, events and personalities
referred or alluded to in the correspondence.

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