Thomas Mann

Thomas Mann is the protagonist of The Magician, which chronicles his life from childhood to old age. Thomas is the son of a wealthy German senator and a Brazilian immigrant named Julia. He has four siblings: Heinrich, Carla, Lula, and Viktor.

Thomas grows up in Lübeck. With his older brother already declaring himself a writer, Thomas feels pressured to take over the family business. When his father passes away and his family moves to Munich, Thomas follows them there. After briefly working as a clerk, Thomas makes his intentions to be a writer clear to Heinrich and Julia, who oppose him at first. His first novel Buddenbrooks launches him into high society.

Thomas is intrigued by the beautiful Katia and her twin brother Klaus. He does his best to conceal his homosexuality by determining to marry Katia. The two of them have six children together: Erika...