The Pious Dance by Klaus Mann

Ovid Publishing Group Edition

A Groundbreaking Literary Classic of LGBTQ Literature by Klaus Mann, First Published in Germany in 1926. Set in the Gay Underground of Berlin and Paris's Nightclub Scenes, the Novel Features the First Unapologetic Transgender Character in 20th-Century Literature.

The Pious Dance (Der fromme Tanz), Klaus Mann's first novel published when he was just twenty years old, stands as a groundbreaking work of early modernist German literature and a significant milestone in LGBT+ literary history. Written with the raw authenticity of youth, this semi-autobiographical work captures the spirited and tumultuous atmosphere of Weimar-era Berlin through the eyes of its protagonist, Andreas Magnus, a thinly veiled version of Mann himself.

This new edition:

A New English Translation from the Original German Text
An Introduction by the Editor
Endnotes to each Act of the Novel
Chapter By Chapter Critical Analysis
Author Biography
Three Scholarly Essays

Klaus Mann's "The Pious Dance": A Work Beyond Definition
Beyond Binary: Early Trans Representation in Klaus Mann's Der fromme Tanz and the Evolution of LGBTQ+ Literature
Dancing Toward Tomorrow: Queer Utopian Longing in Klaus Mann's "The Pious Dance"

The novel's autobiographical elements are unmistakable, as Mann draws heavily from his own experiences as a young gay artist navigating Berlin's vibrant and permissive cultural scene of the 1920s. Through Andreas, Mann explores his own struggles with artistic identity, sexual awakening, and the search for meaningful connection in a world of fleeting encounters. The protagonist's journey through Berlin's cabarets, artistic circles, and underground gay venues mirrors Mann's own explorations of the city's liberal atmosphere during the Weimar Republic.

Historically, The Pious Dance provides an invaluable snapshot of a unique moment in German cultural history, documenting the brief period of sexual and artistic freedom between World War I and the rise of Nazism. The novel's frank depiction of Berlin's gay subculture, drag shows, and bohemian artistic circles offers modern readers a rare contemporary account of this sexually liberated era.

The novel is particularly noteworthy for its pioneering representation of LGBT+ characters. Mann's matter-of-fact portrayal of homosexual relationships and desire was revolutionary for its time. The character of Paulchen, a transgender performer, is especially significant as one of the first sympathetic depictions of a transgender character in 20th-century literature. Mann presents these characters without moral judgment or sensationalism, a radical departure from contemporary literary treatments of such subjects.

About the Author

Klaus Mann (1906-1949)

Klaus Mann was born in Munich to one of Germany's most distinguished literary families. His father was the renowned novelist Thomas Mann, and his mother Katia came from a wealthy Jewish intellectual family. Growing up in the shadow of his father's success created a complex relationship, marked by both admiration and a struggle to establish his own identity. He shared a particularly close bond with his sister Erika Mann, with whom he collaborated on various theatrical and literary projects throughout their lives.

As a young adult, Mann became a prominent figure in Berlin's artistic and intellectual circles of the Weimar Republic. He began writing and performing in theater productions with his sister Erika, and they became known as the "Mann twins" due to their close collaboration and similar interests.

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Mann was openly gay from an early age, a brave stance in the early 20th century. His orientation influenced much of his writing and personal life, and he never attempted to hide it despite the social stigma of the time.

His literary career began in his teens, and by his early twenties, he had published several works. His first novel, "The Pious Dance" (1926), was groundbreaking in its frank portrayal of Berlin's gay subculture. The novel, while not a commercial success, established Mann as a bold new voice in German literature.

In 1933, Klaus and his family fled Germany. He traveled extensively through Europe, Africa, and the United States, eventually settling in America where he became a U.S. citizen in 1943. During his exile, he continued to write prolifically, producing some of his most significant works including "Mephisto" (1936).

During World War II, Mann joined the U.S. Army and became one of the "Ritchie Boys," a special military intelligence unit composed largely of German-speaking immigrants. He served in Europe, using his cultural knowledge and language skills to assist the Allied cause.

After the war, Mann struggled to rebuild his career and faced personal challenges. His post-war works, while politically insightful, didn't achieve the success he hoped for. He battled depression and drug addiction, ultimately taking his own life in Cannes, France, in 1949.

Klaus Mann's legacy is complex and multifaceted. While often overshadowed by his father during his lifetime, he is now recognized as an important voice in 20th-century German literature, particularly in LGBT literature and exile writing.