Demian

Written by Hermann Hesse

Narrated by Jason McCoy

"All I really wanted was to try and live the life that was spontaneously welling up within me. Why was that so very difficult?" Generations of readers have recognized the impassioned cry that introduces the young narrator of Demian, and embraced this tale of a troubled young man's struggle toward self-awareness. Initially published in Berlin in 1919, the novel met with instant critical acclaim, as well as great popular success among people seeking answers amid the devastating aftermath of World War I. A brilliant psychological portrait of an individual's departure from social conventions in the search for spiritual fulfillment, Demian encompasses many of the themes associated with Hermann Hesse, its Noble Prize–winning author, particularly the duality of human nature and the quest for inner peace. Considered an important work in the evolution of 20th-century European literature, this perceptive coming-of-age novel enjoys a particular resonance with young adults, a fact that has made Demian a perennial favorite in schools and colleges all over the world. This inexpensive edition, featuring an excellent new English translation, is sure to be welcomed by teachers and students, and by the legions of confirmed Hesse fans.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HN Publishing
• Release date: Oct 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9789193493257

Hermann Hesse

Hermann Hesse was a highly acclaimed German author. He was known most famously for his novels Steppenwolfand Siddhartha and his novel The Glass Bead Game earned Hesse a Nobel prize in Literature in 1946. Many of his works explore topics pertaining to self-prescribed societal ostracization. Hesse was fascinated with ways in which one could break the molds of traditional society in an effort to dig deeper into the conventions of selfhood. His fascination with personal awareness earned himself something of a following in the later part of his career. Perceived thus as a sort of “cult-figure” for many young English readers, Hesse’s works were a gateway into their expanding understanding of eastern mysticism and spirituality. Despite Hesse’s personal fame, Siddhartha, was not an immediate success. It was only later that his works received noticeable recognition, largely with audiences internationally. The Glass Bead Game was Hermann Hesse’s final novel, though he continued to express his beliefs through varying forms of art including essays, poems, and even watercolor paintings.

Reviews for Demian

[Jade Newman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very beautiful writing and very interesting story. A great Herman Hesse book for sure.

[Anna Azari · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Highly overrated - full of itself, complete nonsense . A waist of time

[Caleb Russell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I found it to be a rather vulnerable and extensive look into Hesse's childhood

[Alain Gonzalez · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It’s been more than 20 years since I read Hess last. It seems like I’ve changed a lot in those years because this time around the whole philosophical metaphysical discourse just felt almost insufferable. I didn’t enjoy the narrator either. I was constantly imagining how someone else reading would’ve taken advantage of certain scenes to infuse a bit of drama into the reading. His reading felt too monotone to me. But hey, that’s just me, so all this with a grain of salt my friends.

[alyssa w · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a great journey , i can now find my own demian . I wrote down all quotes i loved in a notebook , i shall read this book again and again there is so much to learn ?