"The Magic Mountain" is a novel written by Thomas Mann, published in 1924. The story follows Hans Castorp, a young man who visits a Swiss sanatorium for tuberculosis treatment. As he stays longer than planned, he becomes immersed in the lives and philosophies of the other patients, exploring themes of time, illness, and the nature of existence. Set against the backdrop of pre-World War I Europe, the novel reflects the tensions of the era. It delves into the contrasts between life and death, health and illness, and the impact of isolation on the human psyche, making it a significant work in modern literature.