Hermann Hesse, anyone?

[Ornelírë Mistë]

Anyone read some of his books? He seems like a fascinating man. I have read Siddhartha and Narcissus and Goldmund, the latter of which is the best book I have ever read. What books of his do you reccomend?

[GrayMouser]

"The Glass Bead Game" aka "Magister Ludi" is my favorite, though some find it a little dry.

[anduin]

I just finished Siddhartha for the second time. Love that book! I wanted to read Steppenwolf, but have been having trouble finding it for some reason. Narcissus and Goldmund....what is this one about?

[Laurus Nobilis]

"Siddharta" is a wonderful book, I loved it!

I've also read "Steppenwolf" and "Demian". Both are great and made me think a lot, but I liked "Demian" better- my German teacher told me to look at the similarities it has to "The Neverending Story" and, amazingly, there are loads of them. I bet Michael Ende used to read Hesse's books too! :p

[Lalaith]

I loved Siddharta (ha, I can read it in the original language).
Narziß und Goldmund wasn't that good, but not bad either.

Also read some of Michael Endes books. Yah, we have some pretty good german authors. :)

I'm just thinking of which Hesse book reading next because Siddharta had a really good influence on me and my attitude.

[Cirdan]

One of my favorite authors. Steppenwolf, Damien, Siddhartha, Magister Ludi (The Glass Bead Game), and The Journey East are all very good.

[Lalaith]

Originally posted by Cirdan
Magister Ludi (The Glass Bead Game)
Have that at home. I am still thinking about reading it.

[Ornelírë Mistë]

bought a copy of Damien! woo

[galadriel]

I read Siddhartha and loved it... Demian was okay. I read it in school, so that probably took the joy out of it. It had its moments.

[Ornelírë Mistë]

I am reading Demian and I think it is weak so far, in comparison to Narcissus and Goldmund. Yet on reconsideration of that last title, I am unsure how much Hesse was really into the book. I don't know, I just get this feeling... No matter. I need to read My Belief, has anyone read it?

[Lalaith]

I'm just reading Magister Ludi. But I don't know. I don't really like the book. And I don't get how that damn Glass Bead Game works.

I'm glad that I started reading Hesse with Siddhartha, because if I had started with Magister Ludi or Narcissius and Goldmund I wouldn't have read another book of Hesse.

[Ornelírë Mistë]

Same with me! I also read Siddhartha first, it is a spectacular book. If I had read Demian first, I would not have liked Hesse.

[Lalaith]

I am really disappointed now that I have read through the Glass Bead Game. Maybe it is just me, but I didn't like it at all.
Maybe I should try another Hesse book.

[gdl96]

I just read Demian for school. I honestly didn't care for it all, but it sounds like it wasn't his best book. Maybe I'll give him another chance some other day.

[Almie]

Ah, Hesse! Can't resist adding a comment here -Hesse is one of my favourite writers. Of his works, my favourites are Demian and Magister Ludi (The Glass Bead Game), but for a new reader I perhaps recommended Narcissus and Goldmund or Steppenwolf.

[GrayMouser]

Magister Ludi (The Glass Bead Game)

Though I can see how it might be a little dry for some.

[Lalaith]

Originally posted by Almie
but for a new reader I perhaps recommended Narcissus and Goldmund or Steppenwolf.
I was rather bored with Nasrcissus and Goldmund.

[Mango]

I've only ever read Siddartha. My good friend who gives me books gave it to me on a Thursday. I read it all the following Monday and again on Wednesday. I plan on reading it again, it just one of those books, like the Stranger by Campus, that is a fairly quick read, but one can get so much out of it.

What is the Glass Bead Game about? I've heard that title some where before.

[Lalaith]

Hmm, it is about a Game called Glass Bead Game.
And about a world where especially talented boys get into this school where they just study and live like monks.
And the book is about such a boy who grows up and gets the master of the Glass Bead Game meaning that he is the supervisor of the game who has the most power.

[HOBBIT]

I just read Demian. It had its moments - but I didn't care for it much. Later this year I will be forced to read Siddhartha. Hopefully that is better.

[littleadanel]

Last week I just felt like discovering my parents' bookshelves, but mum got fed up with me rummaging around, and gave me three books saying " if you want to read, then read these, great ones". (She knew very well what I was up to... not a difficult business, with such a book-addict as me :rolleyes: ) They happened to be Hesse's Siddharta, Demian and Steppenwolf...

Sadly, this week I had to focus on tests... but now I can start READING! :) I'm looking forward to it very much.

[Beren3000]

Last year, we read Demian for the english course. I thought it was AMAZING! It really changed the way I look at things. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to start on Hesse. For those of you who read Steppenwolf would you recommend it?

[littleadanel]

Yes, Beren3000, surely I do! :) I've just finished reading Steppenwolf yesterday, and It Was Great. I really liked it.
The next one I'll start is Demian, I suppose. ;)

[littleadanel]

Just finished Demian. Interesting, and a good, quick read. But, honestly, I liked Steppenwolf better, even though that was harder to start.

I'm beginning to like Hesse. Now I'll start either Siddharta or The Glass Bead Game. :)