In December 1945 Thomas Mann wrote a famous letter to Adorno inwhich he formulated the principle of montage adopted in his novelDoctor Faustus. The writer expressly invited the philosopher toconsider, with me, how such a work and I mean Leverkhns work couldmore or less be practically realized. Their close collaboration onquestions concerning the character of the fictional composersputatively late works (Adorno produced specific sketches which areincluded as an appendix to the present volume) effectively laid thebasis for a further exchange of letters.The ensuing correspondence between the two men documents a rareencounter of creative tension between literary tradition andaesthetic modernism which would be sustained right up until thenovelists death in 1955. In the letters, Thomas Mann openlyacknowledged his fascinated reading of Adornos Minima Moralia andcommented in detail on the Essay on Wagner, which he was as eagerto read as the one in the Book of Revelation consumes a book whichtastes as sweet as honey. Adorno in turn offered detailedobservations upon and frequently enthusiastic commendations ofManns later writings, such as The Holy Sinner, The Betrayed One andThe Confessions of Felix Krull. Their correspondence also touchesupon issues of great personal significance, notably the sensitivediscussion of the problems of returning from exile to postwarGermany.The letters are extensively annotated and offer the readerdetailed notes concerning the writings, events and personalitiesreferred or alluded to in the correspondence.
