Hermann Hesse, anyone?

Ornelírë Mistë · 07-27-2003, 10:16 AM

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 · 07-27-2003, 12:14 PM

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

***anduin*** · 07-28-2003, 08:49 AM

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 · 07-28-2003, 02:18 PM

"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!

Lalaith · 07-28-2003, 03:28 PM

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 · 08-10-2003, 09:16 PM

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

Lalaith · 08-11-2003, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cirdan
Magister Ludi (The Glass Bead Game)

Have that at home. I am still thinking about reading it.

Ornelírë Mistë · 08-13-2003, 10:10 PM

bought a copy of Damien! woo

galadriel · 09-04-2003, 01:24 PM

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 · 09-04-2003, 10:05 PM

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 · 09-05-2003, 03:48 AM

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 · 09-06-2003, 01:02 PM

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 · 11-30-2003, 12:18 PM

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*** · 11-30-2003, 11:12 PM

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 · 12-21-2003, 04:06 PM

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 · 01-04-2004, 12:11 PM

Magister Ludi (The Glass Bead Game)

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

Lalaith · 01-04-2004, 01:55 PM

Quote:

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 · 03-01-2004, 08:37 PM

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 · 03-02-2004, 03:28 PM

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*** · 10-18-2005, 06:21 PM

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.

07-27-2003, 10:16 AM	#1
Ornelírë Mistë Elven Warrior Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 482	Hermann Hesse, anyone? 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? __________________ "Lot of people say this city looks like Hell," Allie said. She took a long drag from her cigarette. The glowing tip burned a hole in the darkness. "Most people never been to Hell," Jacob said. She looked at him and he could hear the smile in her voice. "And I suppose you have?"

07-27-2003, 12:14 PM	#2
GrayMouser Elf Lord Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ilha Formosa Posts: 2,068	"The Glass Bead Game" aka "Magister Ludi" is my favorite, though some find it a little dry. __________________ Glendower: I can call spirits from the vasty deep. Hotspur: Why, so can I, or so can any man; But will they come when you do call for them? "I like pigs. Dogs look up to us, cats look down on us, but pigs treat us as equals."- Winston Churchill

07-28-2003, 08:49 AM	#3
*anduin* Entwife Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: louisville Posts: 3,718	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? __________________ Far away across the field The tolling of the iron bell Calls the faithful to their knees To hear the softly spoken magic spells.

07-28-2003, 02:18 PM	#4
Laurus Nobilis Enting Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina Posts: 73	"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! __________________ "...So the essential Quest started at once. But I met a lot of things on the way that astonished me. Tom Bombadil I knew already; but I had never been to Bree. Strider sitting in the corner at the inn was a shock, and I had no more idea who he was than had Frodo. The Mines of Moria had been a mere name; and of Lothlórien no word had reached my mortal ears till I came there. Far away I knew there were the Horse-lords on the confines of an ancient Kingdom of Men, but Fangorn Forest was an unforeseen adventure." ~ J. R. R. Tolkien

07-28-2003, 03:28 PM	#5
Lalaith The Elvish Temptress Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 3,055	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. __________________ What I am and what I would are as secret as maidenhead.

08-10-2003, 09:16 PM	#6
Cirdan Elf Lord of the Grey Havens Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: somewhere else Posts: 2,381	One of my favorite authors. Steppenwolf, Damien, Siddhartha, Magister Ludi (The Glass Bead Game), and The Journey East are all very good. __________________ There exists a limit to the force even ther most powerful may apply without destroying themselves. Judging this limit is the true artistry of government. Misuse of power is the fatal sin. The law cannot be a tool of vengance, never a hostage, nor a fortification against the martyrs it has created. You cannot threaten any individual and escape the consequences. -Muad'dib on Law The Stilgar Commentary

08-13-2003, 10:10 PM	#8
Ornelírë Mistë Elven Warrior Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 482	bought a copy of Damien! woo __________________ "Lot of people say this city looks like Hell," Allie said. She took a long drag from her cigarette. The glowing tip burned a hole in the darkness. "Most people never been to Hell," Jacob said. She looked at him and he could hear the smile in her voice. "And I suppose you have?"

09-04-2003, 01:24 PM	#9
galadriel Elven Warrior Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: a castle made of clouds Posts: 459	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. __________________ Human kind cannot bear very much reality. dreamflower - for all things Lady Galadriel

09-04-2003, 10:05 PM	#10
Ornelírë Mistë Elven Warrior Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 482	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? __________________ "Lot of people say this city looks like Hell," Allie said. She took a long drag from her cigarette. The glowing tip burned a hole in the darkness. "Most people never been to Hell," Jacob said. She looked at him and he could hear the smile in her voice. "And I suppose you have?"

09-05-2003, 03:48 AM	#11
Lalaith The Elvish Temptress Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 3,055	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. __________________ What I am and what I would are as secret as maidenhead.

09-06-2003, 01:02 PM	#12
Ornelírë Mistë Elven Warrior Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 482	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. __________________ "Lot of people say this city looks like Hell," Allie said. She took a long drag from her cigarette. The glowing tip burned a hole in the darkness. "Most people never been to Hell," Jacob said. She looked at him and he could hear the smile in her voice. "And I suppose you have?"

11-30-2003, 12:18 PM	#13
Lalaith The Elvish Temptress Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 3,055	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. __________________ What I am and what I would are as secret as maidenhead.

11-30-2003, 11:12 PM	#14
*gdl96* the greg the admin Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: NJ Posts: 2,101	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.

12-21-2003, 04:06 PM	#15
Almie Hobbit Join Date: May 2003 Location: Finland Posts: 36	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.

01-04-2004, 12:11 PM	#16
GrayMouser Elf Lord Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ilha Formosa Posts: 2,068	Magister Ludi (The Glass Bead Game) Though I can see how it might be a little dry for some. __________________ Glendower: I can call spirits from the vasty deep. Hotspur: Why, so can I, or so can any man; But will they come when you do call for them? "I like pigs. Dogs look up to us, cats look down on us, but pigs treat us as equals."- Winston Churchill

03-01-2004, 08:37 PM	#18
Mango Sapling Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: I live in a Giant Bucket. Posts: 13	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.

03-02-2004, 03:28 PM	#19
Lalaith The Elvish Temptress Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 3,055	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. __________________ What I am and what I would are as secret as maidenhead.

10-18-2005, 06:21 PM	#20
*HOBBIT* Saviour of Entmoot Admiral Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: NC/NJ (no longer Same place as bmilder.) Posts: 61,986	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. __________________ President Emeritus (2000-2004) Private message (or email) me if you need any assistance. I am here to help! "I'm up to here with cool, ok? I'm so amazingly cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month. I am so hip I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis" - Zaphod Beeblebrox Latest Blog Post: Just Quit Facebook? No One Cares!