Heinz Strunk Avoids Contemporary Issues in New Novel 'Zauberberg 2'

The author deliberately excludes topics like AI and migration to create timeless works, drawing inspiration from Kafka.

Heinz Strunk, a Hamburg-based author and actor, has released his latest novel, 'Zauberberg 2,' as a homage to Thomas Mann's classic 'The Magic Mountain.'
Strunk avoids referencing current events such as artificial intelligence, migration, wars, and conflicts in his books to ensure their timelessness.
He cites Franz Kafka as a major influence, praising the timeless quality of Kafka's work, which avoids any direct mention of contemporary issues.
'Zauberberg 2' parallels Mann's original with its premise of men seeking treatment in a clinic and staying far longer than intended.
Strunk critiques aspects of Mann's original, describing its humor and philosophical discussions as poorly aged, while aiming to reinterpret the story for modern readers.