Hans Castorp embarks on a seemingly brief journey to a Swiss sanatorium, intending to visit his cousin Joachim for a few weeks. However, his stay extends far beyond his original plan. The mountain retreat becomes a place of complex relationships, philosophical discussions, and unexpected life changes.

A Journey to the Mountains

Hans, recently graduated and eager to begin his engineering career, receives medical advice to take a break in the mountains. He heads to the International Sanatorium Berghof in Davos-Platz, Switzerland, to join his cousin Joachim Ziemssen, a soldier on the mend. Hans plans a short stay of three weeks before returning to Hamburg, impressed by Joachim's apparent vitality.

Time in Suspension

At the sanatorium, Hans notices time seems to drift without meaning. Days flow into each other with little change. He meets Dr. Behrens, the head of the institution, and mingles with diverse patients. Among them are the occupants of the notorious "bad Russian table," a couple whose boisterous activities Hans finds disturbing through the thin walls.

Intriguing Personalities

Particularly fascinated by Clavdia Chauchat, a lively Russian woman, Hans finds himself captivated by her repeated habit of noisily entering the dining room. He also befriends Settembrini, an Italian humanist, and philosopher, who introduces him to Naphta, a former Jesuit turned absolutist. Their philosophical debates captivate Hans, who finds himself torn between their conflicting ideologies.

A New Reality

Feeling unwell from the start, Hans extends his stay after being diagnosed with tuberculosis. An ill-advised ski outing further worsens his condition. During his convalescence, he immerses himself in discussions with Settembrini and Naphta, while Joachim remains uninterested due to his seriousness and lack of imagination.

Matters of the Heart

Hans's fascination with Clavdia deepens when Dr. Behrens shares a portrait and an X-ray of her. He admits his love during a carnival, only to face rejection as she leaves for Russia. Despite his disappointment, Hans remains at the sanatorium, distanced from Joachim and more absorbed in Clavdia's memory.

Joachim's Struggles

Joachim is frustrated by his slow recovery and leaves against medical advice to rejoin his regiment, despite Dr. Behrens' warnings. His premature departure proves tragic as his health deteriorates, leading to his return and eventual death, witnessed by Hans and his mother.

Unexpected Returns

Clavdia reappears with Mynheer Peeperkorn, a jovial Dutch planter. Despite their shared affection for Clavdia, Hans and Peeperkorn form a strong friendship. This bond remains unbroken until Peeperkorn's untimely death.

Exploring the Unknown

The patients engage in spiritualist sessions, led by a young newcomer claiming to contact the deceased. Hans participates, requesting a séance for Joachim, but Dr. Krokowski, the resident psychologist, eventually halts the gatherings. Meanwhile, tension escalates between Settembrini and Naphta, culminating in a duel that ends in Naphta's tragic suicide.

The Passing of Time

What began as a brief visit stretches into a seven-year sojourn for Hans. The sanatorium transforms from a temporary refuge to a lasting home, with Hans witnessing the ebb and flow of life and death within its walls. The concept of time becomes irrelevant in the serene yet isolating mountain atmosphere.

The Outside World Intrudes

The assassination of an Austrian archduke jolts the tranquility of the sanatorium. War news penetrates its secluded walls, prompting some patients to rush home while others remain in neutral Switzerland. Hans, bidding farewell to Settembrini, chooses to return to Germany and fight. The war calls him away from his mountain sanctuary, into the uncertain future of a Europe on the brink of calamity.