Public-domain ebook
Royal Highness
by Thomas Mann
Language: en7,684 downloads on Project Gutenberg
Subjects
In: Novels·German Literature·History - Royalty
Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #36028.
About this book
Royal Highness is a German‑origin work of fiction, rendered into English by A. Cecil Curtis, that explores the world of courts and courtiers through a series of episodic chapters. The narrative opens on a nondescript noon in the capital’s main thoroughfare, where a senior general and a very young lieutenant, later revealed as Klaus Heinrich, heir presumptive, meet in a meticulously described, almost theatrical exchange. Their interaction, set against a backdrop of indifferent traffic and muted light, hints at the tension between authority and youth, while the prose immediately foregrounds the ceremonial atmosphere of a royal milieu. The subsequent “Constriction” chapter shifts to a broader setting, detailing the birth of a prince in Grimmburg and the ceremonial bustle of the court, thereby establishing a pattern of tightly observed scenes that blend public spectacle with intimate observation.
The novel’s voice is distinctly early‑20th‑century, marked by elaborate, almost baroque description and a formal, measured tone that mirrors the hierarchical world it depicts. Its style, dense, with long sentences and precise detail, reflects the literary conventions of Thomas Mann’s era, offering a slow‑burning immersion into aristocratic life. Readers who appreciate richly textured historical settings, nuanced character studies of royalty, and a narrative that privileges atmosphere over rapid plot will find this translation rewarding.
Characters in Royal Highness
- Klaus HeinrichYoung German lieutenant, crisp early‑1900s uniform, dark hair, sharp cheekbones, poised aristocratic bearing
The opening · free to read
The following is a list of corrections made to the original. The first line is the original line, the second the corrected one.
The Swiss governess was the widow of a Calvanistic minister and was in The Swiss governess was the widow of a Calvinistic minister and was in
The opportunity came. While the Swiss governness was absent on leave to The opportunity came. While the Swiss governess was absent on leave to
where it's too dusty, for this dress shows everything. where it's too dusty, for this dress shows everything."
compared with Trümmerhauff. Trümmerhauf had the nobility of a wild compared with Trümmerhauff. Trümmerhauff had the nobility of a wild
rather broad, he had cheek bones like the men in the street, and he rather broad, he had cheek-bones like the men in the street, and he
annouce that their Royal Highnesses were now going. He had been charged announce that their Royal Highnesses were now going. He had been charged
exploratory operation, whch was conducted by the Director of the exploratory operation, which was conducted by the Director of the
Lastly, Princess Ditlande had married at the age of twenty, one year Lastly, Princess Ditlinde had married at the age of twenty, one year
Albrecht bowed his thanks with eyes downcast and underlip protuded. Albrecht bowed his thanks with eyes downcast and underlip protruded.
Jettchen, as provisional lodgings." Jettchen, "as provisional lodgings."
architect from the captital had been entrusted with the building. But architect from the capital had been entrusted with the building. But
suite" in the "Spa Court" Hotel was by no means dazzingly magnificent. suite" in the "Spa Court" Hotel was by no means dazzlingly magnificent.
temperature-and weight-charts--tended by nurses in white caps, and temperature- and weight-charts--tended by nurses in white caps, and
his tail, At the same moment the butler began to run, as fast as his his tail. At the same moment the butler began to run, as fast as his
upon me, Prince." And she suddenly sat Fatma off at a gallop and flew at upon me, Prince." And she suddenly set Fatma off at a gallop and flew at
Spoelman took stock of the prosaic country-house which rejoiced in the Spoelmann took stock of the prosaic country-house which rejoiced in the
"Yes, though unfortunately not from you. But Jettchen Isenschnibble has "Yes, though unfortunately not from you. But Jettchen Isenschnibbe has
had withdrawn and Princes Griseldis had opened the cotillon with a had withdrawn and Princess Griseldis had opened the cotillon with a
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