Demian

Rating:
Summary: Interesting but self-indulgent and rather ill-conceived
Review: Despite its enduring popularity, this novel is certainly not among Hesse's best. The author's painful, overriding preoccupation with his own emotions (which in novels like Narcissus and Goldmund and Siddartha is transformed into high art) here becomes blatant, self-indulgent, adolescent, and ultimately rather irritating. The novel starts out promisingly and provides some very powerful images, but after a few chapters it begins to degenerate into outright silliness. The ending is especially unconvicing, suggesting that Hesse had trouble leading his story to a conclusion. Those with highly introspective temperaments like Hesse's might enjoy the novel, and those with a special interest in the author would do well to study it, but the same themes it develops are treated much much more satisfyingly in other of his novels.

Rating:
Summary: Second Time Reader
Review: I first read Demian during my college days. It had a powerful impact and I immediately sought out other Hesse titles. During this latest reading, it naturally had less impact but I picked up additional insight which I missed or failed to grasp the first time. Hesse is one of the best in writing philosophy without sounding philosophical. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: OUTSTANDING DOORWAY TO SELF DISCOVERY
Review: I WAS MAYBE 15 AND LOOKING FOR A SALINGER BOOK WHEN I STUMBLED UPON HESSE. AS I BEGAN TO READ DEMIAN I WAS DRAWN IN BY THE IMAGERY AND RAW HONESTY OF EMOTION. DEMIAN IS A BOOK THAT ONE MUST BE READY TO READ. ONCE ONE IS READY FOR HESSE'S MESSAGE, IT LEADS THE READER TO REVELATION ABOUT THEMSELVES AND THE NATURE OF THE WORLD IN TERMS OF GOOD AND EVIL; RIGHT AND WRONG. ABRAXAS IS THE GRAY AREA BETWEEN PERFECT GOOD AND PERFECT EVIL AND HAS CAUSED ME TO QUESTION MY OWN DEFINITION OF GOD WHILE NEVER LOSING SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT HE DOES EXIST.

Rating:
Summary: Story of a True Outsider
Review: This is very probably the best book that has ever been written. Emil Sinclair represents what Colin Wilson refers to as an "Outsider", an individual who seeks a more intense form of meaningful, purposeful human existence. Max Demian is used as a metaphor for the inner guiding voice of Emil Sinclair; Hesse is one of the few who have expressed the modern existential problem of many of us today. Despite its short length, it is well worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: Best book I've ever read
Review: I read this book in school and fell in love with it. It was the first book I read by Hesse. I instantly had to go read his other great books.

Rating:
Summary: A book for the intensely troubled.
Review: It is some time since I have read this book and I want to read it again since I have carried a rather powerful impression of this. This book explores the dichotomy in human existance and values. Explores the growing up of man, and how ultimately, simply by striving to grow up to his true potential, he is destrying phoenix like, the bonds that surround(?) him. The way the author likens the 'different' as having the mark of Cain has always terribly impressed me. Probably the book is meant for people who carry the mark of Cain. Like the other Hermann Hesse book, this book also explores the maturing of a life, the focus is more in this case on destruction of bonds where as in the case of Siddhartha, the focus was on changing values and control of self....

Rating:
Summary: Spiritual Enlightenment
Review: Hermann Hesse's Demian is one of his greatest works, and I have to say it provides an excellent insight into the ideas of Nietzsche and Freud. I would recommend this novel to anyone who is searching for their place in the world.

Rating:
Summary: good
Review: I read the back of this book and I thought it would be another boring Hermann Hesse novel like Siddhartha (I hated Siddhartha). But I was wrong. It is very much worth reading and I recommend it to anyone who loves Hesse and to anyone who hates Hesse.

Rating:
Summary: There is still hope
Review: This book is a Bible for all of you trying to solve the ancient puzzle of the human spirit.And Hesse will give you just a crystal extract of this ancient search.But it is the purest of it's kind.As long as this book exists,there is still hope for visdom.It confuses me.I can't stop wondering whether Hesse was a genious or just a simple man who learned to deeply feel things,to see them in a way you can't when you just look with your eyes...

Rating:
Summary: Opens inner doorways, if you are ready.
Review: Other reviews here have well summarized the plot.This was the first book I read that really gave me direction in life, and when I needed it. It is an excellent book for those on the path of self-realization.This is a book to re-read over time, for as we gain in experience, we come to appreciate its deeper meanings.If you want some real answers to life, get this book and read it often.