Doctor Faustus

By: Thomas Mann

Narrated by: David Rintoul

Thomas Mann's last great novel, first published in 1947 and now newly rendered into English by acclaimed translator John E. Woods, is a modern reworking of the Faust legend, in which Germany sells its soul to the Devil. Mann's protagonist, the composer Adrian Leverkühn, is the flower of German culture, a brilliant, isolated, overreaching figure, his radical new music a breakneck game played by art at the very edge of impossibility. In return for twenty-four years of unparalleled musical accomplishment, he bargains away his soul—and the ability to love his fellow man.

Leverkühn's life story is a brilliant allegory of the rise of the Third Reich, of Germany's renunciation of its own humanity and its embrace of ambition and nihilism. It is also Mann's most profound meditation on the German genius—both national and individual—and the terrible responsibilities of the truly great artist.

"John E. Woods is revising our impression of Thomas Mann, masterpiece by masterpiece."—The New Yorker

"Doctor Faustus is Mann's deepest artistic gesture. . . . Finely translated by John E. Woods."—The New Republic

Public Domain (P)2024 Ukemi Audiobooks

Critic reviews

'Arguably the great German novel'—New York Times

A performance well mach for such a master piece.

The reader is as good as it gets for the English translation. His superb understanding of the novel gives a this performance so much depth and lots of nuance. His voice has a resonance that very sensitive and train ears will welcom. I am very happy this rendition finally came to audio books. Well worth the waiting. ♡

At long last! Absolutely essential

Finally we have a first-rate audiobook of Mann's late-period masterpiece. Rintoul provides a fine reading and John E. Woods' translation is excellent. For many years, we have not had this essential title available on audio — Ukemi's release is cause for celebration. Don't miss out on this one!

A singular book

This is the first title I’ve read of Mann’s and it was quite extraordinary. To fully appreciate it, it requires quite a bit of for knowledge, especially with classical music, Nietzsche, and the significance of the original Faust. Though, not for everyone, it is a masterpiece. I wish I had more people I could share it with. Also, the narration was top-tier.

Thought provoking novel, skillful narration

To those not familiar with the works of Thomas Mann, his works, much like those of Dostoyevsky, are replete with ideas. Thus, his novels are interesting not only for plot and character development, but for the ideas which are discussed. Doctor Faustus is not a quick read. This particular novel might hold especial interest for those interested in music theory, theology, and early 20th century german history.
The translation is superb. Parts of the original german text are written in early modern German. The translator provides a very satisfying rendition in English, imparting the same "feel" for the text.
The narration is outstanding, clearly differentiating between the various interlocutors, and spot on when conveying irony, mania, etc.
I had read Doctor Faustus twice in the past and doubted that an audio version would appear (due to difficulty in narration). I was very pleasantly surprised. The narrator did not disappoint.

A pact made in, or for, hell

Mann's novel needs no praise from me, but I do wish to salute David Rintoul's reading. It's beautifully paced, crisp, deeply felt, and (not least) the "foreign language" terms are rightly pronounced. This goes for the other Mann works he's recorded, too.