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I've discovered Hermann Hesse comparatively late in my life, given that many of his novels are seen as "coming of age" topics. Still I can recommend them to any

I've discovered Hermann Hesse comparatively late in my life, given that many of his novels are seen as "coming of age" topics. Still I can recommend them to anyone with an open mind or willing to open their mind or change perspectives. For instance if you are into eastern thinking there's the famous "Siddharta". One of my personal favourites is "Narcissus and Goldmund", which sketches the relationship between two young men who represent an "artistic" and a "scientific" way of thinking and life.

JanSt 8y ago
Siddhartha is an amazing story, at least for me. So much wisdom if it comes at the right time in your life. “His goal attracts him, because he doesn’t let anything enter his soul which might oppose the goal. This is what Siddhartha has learned among the Samanas. This is what fools call magic and of which they think it would be effected by means of the daemons. Nothing is effected by daemons, there are no daemons. Everyone can perform magic, everyone can reach his goals, if he is able to think, if he is able to wait, if he is able to fast.”
- robin_reala 8y ago
  One of the few Herman Hesse translations that’s PD in the US: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2500 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2500 https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/hermann-hesse/siddhartha/gunther-olesch_anke-dreher_amy-coulter_stefan-langer_semyon-chaichenets https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/hermann-hesse/siddhartha/g...
- molteanu 8y ago
  This has stood with me for a long time. Now, it's back, thanks to your comment: Everyone gives what he has. The soldier gives strength, the merchant goods, the teacher instructions, the farmer rice, the fisherman fish. Very well and what can you give? What have you learned that you can give (the merchant asks of Siddhartha) I can think, I can wait, I can fast.
bambataa 8y ago
I must admit I was a bit disappointed with Siddharta. Obviously the ideas in it are deep and very interesting but as a novel it doesn't really have much to hold it together.

JanSt 8y ago

Siddhartha is an amazing story, at least for me. So much wisdom if it comes at the right time in your life. “His goal attracts him, because he doesn’t let anything enter his soul which might oppose the goal. This is what Siddhartha has learned among the Samanas. This is what fools call magic and of which they think it would be effected by means of the daemons. Nothing is effected by daemons, there are no daemons. Everyone can perform magic, everyone can reach his goals, if he is able to think, if he is able to wait, if he is able to fast.”

robin_reala 8y ago
One of the few Herman Hesse translations that’s PD in the US: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2500 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2500 https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/hermann-hesse/siddhartha/gunther-olesch_anke-dreher_amy-coulter_stefan-langer_semyon-chaichenets https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/hermann-hesse/siddhartha/g...
molteanu 8y ago
This has stood with me for a long time. Now, it's back, thanks to your comment: Everyone gives what he has. The soldier gives strength, the merchant goods, the teacher instructions, the farmer rice, the fisherman fish. Very well and what can you give? What have you learned that you can give (the merchant asks of Siddhartha) I can think, I can wait, I can fast.

bambataa 8y ago

I must admit I was a bit disappointed with Siddharta. Obviously the ideas in it are deep and very interesting but as a novel it doesn't really have much to hold it together.