Rating: 
Summary: Demian
Review: The novel, Demian, which is one of the Nobel Prize winners for Literature, is a fascinating, mind-capturing book of art. A typical person with no thought about life will not be able to comprehend this novel, except for the surface story of the main character. As much as it is hard to understand, it is nearly impossible to describe its deeper meaning and message behind it. The whole story inside seems like the meaning itself, which is translated into an example that can still only be vaguely understandable. Nevertheless, the novel is a must-read and a recommendable, five star book. The reader will be introduced to a plain, elementary school student called Emil Sinclair and follow him in his life until his death. It is set in the mid 19th century until the WWI. During his childhood years, he meets a mystical friend Max Demian, who wakes Sinclair up from his dark world and helps him to a new one. Afterwards, he struggles to find a kind of enlightenment, something that will escalate him to a higher level of understanding. At the very end, he is able to find peace and comfort and the answer to his questions and confusion. Although, the summary was too simple, it is best to know by reading it. The novel shows all the peoples¡¯ mental adventure during life, such as love and hate, problems with social relationship as well as maintenance of individuality, and fears, confusions, and desires. With all of these going on, the reader¡¯s thoughts can be jumbled up but interesting incidents keep the readers from losing interest. The more you keep on reading, the more you become to think the way Sinclair does, and start to accept Demian in you mind. However, some of the religious questions in this novel might mislead the readers¡¯ thoughts about it, especially the Christians, if it is understood directly, from the surface. This novel should be read below the surface, and not be taken literally.
Rating:
Summary: Hesse talks to all WWI veterans
Review: This novel leads the reader through many of the youthful
experiences that seemed so large and overwhelming because
we were young and naive. The longings, the desires, the confusion,
the fears, the awakenings, the awkwardness of trying to fit in yet
not loose our individuality. I wish I could have been able to go speak
directly with Hermann Hesse, to ask him for more details about the
things he was trying to teach us through this beautiful work. Anyone
who is intimately familiar with the realities of Germany before and
after the First World War will understand why Hesse was speaking to
all the veterans of that horrible and senseless waste that manifested
itself and ultimately led to the Second World War. This book leads
you through the common journey of youthful awakening and it is upon
the last page that he finally delivers. DO NOT READ THE LAST PAGE OF THIS NOVEL
PREMATURELY! You will spoil the whole story.
Herman Hesse is indeed a nightingale singing a bitter sweet
song of wise admonition. A short book, a major message.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting...for some.
Review: I first ran across this book last year as a Sophomore. One of my friends had to read it for an English class. I had asked her about it, and she said it was something about a guy liking someone's mom. That struck me as odd, since the cover (of that edition, anyway) picture of a dark figure looking down on a shadowy background looked to me like something where everything was in his (whoever it was) head - like there's nothing going on, really, he just thinks there is. Now it's a year later, and I decided to give the book a chance after I read some good things about it. Now, I know the saying goes that you should never judge a book by its cover, but I'd say that in this case, the cover that I saw was right on the mark: everything in the book *is* inside Emil's head. The "light" and "dark" worlds, the schoolyard bully who plays a joke on him, Demian's mom (who, yes indeed, is the object of his affection), the whole "Abraxas" deal... It really is an interesting read - maybe because I like psychology, or maybe just because some of the stuff that goes on does catch your eye - like Sinclair's talk of praying to a painting, of trying to find beauty, and that great conversation with another friend who can't understand his lust for women. I do like the book, but there were times I felt I was reading Walden again: that nothing was going on, the same old "what is it inside me" question being repeated over and over, as Sinclair just seems to care for himself... I call Demian an introvert book because of the self discovery and the talk of the inner being. There really isn't a whole lot of action, or even interaction with other people. As I said before, Walden is similar in that both narrators are going on and on about mundane issues. Maybe that's because I like action (girls, movies, music, friends) and not sitting around ruminating about a world of hell or the pond my shack is built on. Maybe if Sinclair would just realize that its no good to be so negative all the time, that yes, the world's a scary place; but ONLY if you let it bother you. Don't be active in dreams only - DO SOMETHING!
Rating:
Summary: Still my favorite among Hesse's novels
Review: Demian, as described by Hesse in the original title, is the "story of a youth." The book relates the experiences of Emil Sinclair, a boy at the beginning of the 20th century whose model childhood is tranformed through his encounter with Max Demian. The novel reflects Hesse's fascination with mythology and religion. An extensive symbolism drawing on both Christianity and the theories of C. G. Jung permeate the work. The central message of the novel is a powerfully affirming one: that amidst chaos, amidst disintegration, one can remain loyal to a value system that has existed since the first human being. I have read Hesse's works for many years, and this novel remains my favorite. It has some remarkable scenes, including Sinclair's conversations with the organist Pistorius and the fantastic conclusion on a World War I battlefield in Flanders.
Rating:
Summary: Spiritually uplifting!
Review: This is one of the very few books that gives insight into one's life. I found it to be a book that made me grasp a part of myself that I never fully knew I had. I first read this book after someone recommended it. I truly am grateful I did read it because it opened up a more spiritual side of me. It is a book of self-realization and I truly loved the way Hesse wrote it. It deals with a "connection" between people that everyone is able to have but few seek out. It's a very spiritual book that deals a lot with religion and deep inner-faith, as well as faith in others. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who's seeking themselves or even wants to have more inner-strength.
Rating:
Summary: Not his best... but it's still Hesse
Review: I was drawn to this book in particular through a course on Existentialism, and in this course the professor mentions the Nietzschean overman's influence on Hesse... specifically in Demian, as the characterization of the overman. Being a fan of Nietzsche's work, especially his Zarathustra and Beyond Good and Evil, and having enjoyed Herman Hesse's books in the past, I was very excited to read Demian. Unfortunately, when I get too excited about anything it's usually a let-down. Hesse published this book anonymously, or rather as the narrator Sinclair. This behavior is questionable to me. Additionally, I don't agree that Hesse's characterization of the overman, although it does touch on some issues, does justice to Nietzsche. I don't feel the book should be approached with this comparison. Instead, it should be approached as an angsty-spiritual quest of the troubled youth in the European atmosphere of pre-WW1 tension. I found some of the "spiritual" views disorganized, contradictory and not well elaborated upon. They were "cool" ideas, shallow ideas... They certainly could have gone further into the realm of meaningfulness. Due to its immense success upon its original date of publication, success with the youth market, Hesse fessed up to his ownership and tagged his name on future editions of Demian. Kids were shocked that a man in his forties described so well how they felt. I couldn't help to think that if I read Demian as a young man.. in my teens... this book might have changed my perception on life. Anyway, I prefered Siddartha over this one... I feel they are both the same story with a different setting. And also Siddhartha was enormously brilliant while Demian was a bit above average.
Rating:
Summary: It Has an Impact
Review: My first son's middle name is Demian. Says it all.
Rating: 
Summary: Still chewing
Review: Not what I was expecting at all. Demian was my first and only (so far) introduction to Hesse. It's a great outpouring of ideas and existentialism, but I have to admit at times it was a bit too dry for my taste. I guess I was expecting more of a story. If I'd been prepared for what is mostly a loose framework for a philosophy, I could have surrendered myself to it more readily. Overall, I'm still mulling over everything I read in it, and I think I will be for a long long time. I give it 4 stars instead of five because it comes across as a novel but reads like an essay. As an essay on the human condition I'd give it a 5. Regardless, you need to read this if you've ever wondered about your place in the universe, whether good and evil really exist, and why you feel a little different from those around you.
Rating:
Summary: Got me hooked on Hesse
Review: "Demian" is the first book I read by Hermann Hesse, and it got me hooked on his novels. This book is fascinating, so much so that it's difficult to describe. It's both a coming-of-age story (although I hate that term)and also a surreal and erotic delve into the subconscious. The themes of spirituality, sexuality, suffering and redemption are all weaved together in this novel, as they are in the other equally fascinating novels by Hesse I've read. I'd also highly recommend "Steppenwolf" and "Siddhartha".
Rating:
Summary: WoW, I cant even explain
Review: The title of my review is correct, I cant even explain. Not only how good this book was, but how deep it was. This book is definately one that made me think A LOT. Most people just pass it off as some story of frustrated adolescence, that is wrong. If you want that go read Catcher In The Rye, or A Seperate Peace. But this is way more than just that, this is more of mentality and human nature, it is about what drives people to do what they do and how people search and chase pipe dreams and about things that our feeble minds can not even wrap around. If you think you are smart( and I know you do if you are reading this review), you really need to know that you are stupid and every smart person you know is stupid. If you read this book you will realize what I mean, every person will make something different of this book, but in truth this book is a great work of imagination and symbolism.
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