BBC Audio presents full-cast dramatisations of Thomas Mann's three bestselling works: Buddenbrooks, Death in Venice and The Magic Mountain.

Buddenbrooks: Mann's first novel, published when he was just twenty-six years old. The story draws on the author's own background of a family of rich merchants in 19th century Lübeck, tracing the decline of a civilisation as well as of a family. Starring Charles Simpson, Keith Drinkel, Harriet Walter and Jonathan Tafler.

Death in Venice: A famous German writer tries to find inspiration by travelling to Venice. At first he notices only the decay and disease lurking behind the beautiful facades. Then, just as he is about to leave, he becomes obsessed by the beauty of a young Polish boy. Starring Clive Francis, Penny Downie, John Rowe and Peter England.

The Magic Mountain: Mann's bestselling work, widely considered to be one of the most influential works of twentieth-century German literature. Hans Castorp goes on a social visit to a sanatorium in the Swiss alps, discovers a patch on his lung, and doesn't come out. Trapped on the mountain, he meets and learns from his fellow patients and their carers - including the humanist, the radical, the dionysiac, and the love-interest - whose goings-on represent the whole of European life and culture. Starring Paul Scofield.

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