Death in Venice

by Thomas Mann

"Death in Venice" by Thomas Mann is a novella published in 1912. It follows Gustav von Aschenbach, a disciplined writer in his fifties, who travels to Venice seeking respite. There, he becomes increasingly obsessed with Tadzio, a beautiful adolescent boy from a Polish family staying at his hotel. As Aschenbach's fascination intensifies, he abandons his former restraint and dignity. Meanwhile, a deadly cholera epidemic spreads through Venice—a danger he chooses to ignore rather than lose sight of the boy who has consumed his thoughts.