Demian

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: One of the best books I've ever read, a master piece by Herman Hesse, a must read book, it take you to a totally different world, it give you a better insight of how to deal with life, and how to view it.

A book that you would never put down, you would just read it all the way through, just captures all your attention, and so many things you go and read all over again and again...

Make sure you have time for such a book, it could turn your life around, who knows....

Rating:
Summary: Alternate Version of Genesis
Review: A very important novel, this one. I think it is best described as an alternate version of Genesis, torn from an altogether different type of bible.

I read it shortly after I turned 14, having been given it as a birthday present from my mother, who somehow had had the intution that I would find it very much to my liking. And I did. Thsi is, hands down, my favorite book.

The premesis is simple enough; It is the story of a youth. Not "youth" in general, as some would have it, but one youth, Emil Sinclair. However, one could say that the real center of the novel is Emil's childhood friend and mentor, Max Demian, the title charachter.

To think of it, it is not Max Demian so much as the CONCEPT of Demian that is the center of the novel. Demian is also Frau Eva, Max's young, wise, fascinating mother, who has raised him alone and who can be described as a female equivalent of her mystical, nonconformist offspring.

Sinclair meets Demian in grade school, where the class is studying the bible. One day, during class, Max Demian turns to Emil and starts talking about the story of Cain and Abel, and about how in the end Cain, seen as loathsome and evil by Christian Society, was not so bad as much as different; A peerless example of true, unadulturated human nature, which lies dormant in most. Initially bewildered and subconciously frightened of Demian's singular maturity and intelligence, and complete lack of a desire to conform, he eventually becomes friends with Demian, and when he is forced to leave home for school, affection soon grows into near obsession.

It is while he is away at school that Sinclair learns of the concept of Abraxas, a mystical, all-knowing Diety that embodies both good and evil, man and woman, whore and mother and everything rolled into one.

Sinclair begins a painting of this concept of God, implementing images of Demian, who has had a most profound impact on him, and also of "Beatrice", the name he bestowed upon a young woman he saw once in passing, not even having talked to her or learned her name.

Later in the novel, Sinclair returns to visit his old friend Max, whom he has not seen in years......They are both essentially adults now, and not all that disimilar from each other. While at Demian's house, Sinclaire meets and falls in love with his mother, who smiles at him and allows him to call her "Frau Eva".....As said before, she and her son are cut from the same cloth, and perhaps that is one reason Demian loves her.

I will not spoil the ending here, because I want you to go read this book yourselves, if nothing for the Hesse's masterful storytelling and his brilliant, rare sense of prose. Those who don't like it obviously weren't meant to. And as for those who do......Well, it is a good inclination that we too must be cut from a different cloth from most of society.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: having just finished this book my heart is still thudding, and my brain still reeling. by far, one of the most amazing books i have read hence far. HIGHLY recommended for anyone wishing to read something extremely stimulating and thought provoking.

Rating:
Summary: from a forehead springs many stars....
Review: One of the questions (there were many more) that I found myself focused on while reading this book is, how many of the ideas it presents are universal, and how many must be taken in context? What I found annoying: Hesse seems to write as though the inner life and struggles of an upper middle class German Protestant in the early 20th century are universal experiences. The struggle between good and evil that Sinclair experiences is not something I can relate to. I also did not experience my awakening sexuality creeping upon me like a "terrorist." Hm. And the whole idea of a god that encompasses good and evil (Abraxas) as being this far out underground concept seemed awkward to me.

What I do appreciate about this book is the glimpse it gives toward the "herd" mentality of pre-WWI Europe. And the stances taken by Emil and Demian and "Eva" that confront this mentality are interesting and also contain extraordinarily beautiful imagery. An interesting line to ponder while contemplating the violence, apathy, and anesthetization rampant in today's society occurs as Demian describes the larger view of society toward the upcoming WWI: "People will love it. Even now they can hardly wait for the killing to begin--their lives are that dull!"

I definately recommend giving this book a read.

Rating:
Summary: Looking Within
Review: Demian is a gripping story of finding oneself; of travels within and "without"; of pure imagination; of longing. In many ways, it is a fairytale, a memior, a poem. Though at times tedious to read, the images roam like a dream throughout the prose. Some of the words and sentences can philosophically strike the reader: "those who wear the mark have found themselves" or "fate and temperament are two words for one and same concept". Deep with meaning and artistic images, Demian must be read and appreciated.

Rating:
Summary: Demian
Review: This book is a very intriguing comming of age book, a "bildungsroman" book. The story starts off with a very simple style, yet the deeper meanings are still present. The titles are very important to the intrepertations of the chapters and the book as a whole. This book definatly makes the reader think, and also challenges many views on life. Parts often leave the reader in awe of the ideas that are presented. Then the story deviates from the central theme of Christianity and leads into more theological and eastern religions and ideas. I think most of this is due to the knowlage that Herman Hesse held about many worldly ideas. I felt that the end was weak though. Hesse wanted to include WWI because he felt so strongly about it, but he just threw it at the reader, killed Demian and ended the book. He needed to develop the idea of the war, and the harsh realization of the reality surrounding the war. Overall the book was an enchanting journey of spirituallity. It causes the reader to question their own beliefs, but at the same time, it causes them to strength them also. This was a good book, it makes one think.

Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: I feel that this book is just outstanding. There aren't many books that I can relate to, but this is one of them. Demain's rogue outlook on life and his philosophical rantings left me speechless. Hesse does a magnificant job of portraying the thoughts and feelings of troubled adolesents during hard times. I felt that what Demian preached was similar to the movie "FightClub" which I also enjoyed. The emphasis Hesse puts on Demian's views seems symbolic of what he felt during that time. Demian is an escape for Hesse's feelings and emotions. This book was just awesome. If you can't see the picture Hesse makes either you are A)religous, or B)too mentally sheltered to comprehend what he's trying to say. All in all, this book was great.

Rating:
Summary: i like stories.
Review: this book is a book that is like some books but not like other books. booya. i like books. books make me think of reading because i am reading the book. when I read i read. i feel like the pace car in a high speed police chase . bam. i really like stories that involve things that happen in things that happen with completly diffren things. yahoo for the guy that wrote this book.

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Summary: NIETZSCHE, THE OVERMAN
Review: If the text is to speak to me sans the authorial function surrounding Hesse, "Demian" speak one thing loudly to me - Nietzsche, the Overman is in the flesh.

Apollo and Dionysis are doing battle in Emil Sinclair - specially when he meets Max Demian - an individual in touch with his "natures" and uses them to produce personal greatness, strength and Emil Sinclair. We are all, in a sense, all in a state of becoming - just like Emil, just like Max.

When Max introduces Abraxas the whole texture of the book changes - it really becomes liberating. We are reminded that we are raw stuff - stuck in an existential scenario and the limitlessness of our lives. Max embodies the qualities I would imagine Nietzsche's beloved overman to be - strong and sensitive and not allowed to pity. Demian is wonderful introduction to the complex psyche of Hesse, Demian allows readers to ease their way into his Oeuvre. Part surreal, part mystical, Demian has to be read several times to appreciate its many layers. This volume is one I plan to revisit, and soon.

Miguel Llora

Rating:
Summary: I don't think this book is very insightful
Review: I think this book is about a guy falling in love with his friend's mom, correct? You can't just rule your life out of your society as the Essenes did in the 1st century. If you want to find yourself, you should find it among your fellow companions, not some guy who says he has Cain's mark on his head. And as a Christian, I really can't understand why people think this book is insightful. I'd rather read more valuable novels that gives me inspiration in life.