Mephisto
Mephisto by Klaus Mann, published by Penguin in September 1995, is a reissue that spans 272 pages in English. The narrative follows Hendrik Hofgen, a man driven by his ambition to become a renowned actor. As the Nazis rise to power in Germany, Hofgen makes significant personal sacrifices, including abandoning his Communist beliefs, wife, and mistress, to secure his place in the theatrical world. His portrayal of Mephistopheles in Faust catapults him into the limelight, leading to a prestigious position at the State Theatre and a life filled with luxury and influence.
Readers will encounter a complex exploration of ambition and moral compromise as Hofgen’s initial triumphs give way to haunting realizations about his choices. The story delves into themes of identity and betrayal against the backdrop of a tumultuous historical period, reflecting the intricate relationship between art and politics. With its focus on the consequences of personal ambition during a time of societal upheaval, this edition of Mephisto offers a thought-provoking look at the cost of success in a morally ambiguous world.
Official synopsis Publisher
“It chimes eerily with the times we are living through now.” ―Margaret Atwood, The New York Times Book Review
Hendrik Hofgen is a man obsessed with becoming a famous actor. When the Nazis come to power in Germany, he willingly renounces his Communist past and deserts his wife and mistress in order to keep on performing. His diabolical performance as Mephistopheles in Faust proves to be the stepping-stone he yearned for: attracting the attention of Hermann Göring, it wins Hofgen an appointment as head of the State Theatre. The rewards – the respect of the public, a castle-like villa, a place in Berlin’s highest circles – are beyond his wildest dreams. But the moral consequences of his betrayals begin to haunt him, turning his dreamworld into a nightmare.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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