Reviews - Demian | The StoryGraph

2.65k reviews for:

Demian

Hermann Hesse

4.05 AVERAGE

thornback_heich's review against another edition

2.75

adventurous emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

At first, Demian was a book that demanded constant analysis and annotations to keep up with all its ubiquitous symbolism and metaphors. The plot, for some reason, I found unbearably dull, differing from Narcissus and Goldmund or Beneath the Wheel, which delayed my finishing of the book. However, I still believe that the reading experience was valuable: the bible references were the most interesting part for me. And lady Eve, lady Eve! The nurturing mother and passionate lover, how I felt the urge to ensconce myself into her ever-forgiving and yet so demanding arms! But yeah, I loved her even just for the brief 40 pages of appearance she took presence in...

xenschei's review against another edition

2.75

dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

erioo's review against another edition

4.0

challenging reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

loniken's review against another edition

4.0

Couldn't get through it
In the beginning it was so beautiful, everything was explained in such a weird and enthralling way but by the 4th chapter things got too heavy so in order to preserve myself I had to let it go. Hopefully when the time is right I get to finish it
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A day later I finished the book lol. Don't read this book past 1am kids. I feel like the part which made me put down was like a wall I had to go through and reach the most beautifully written segment I have read. Emil went through so much, all alone, and for him to finally get to a place of happiness, content, of knowing himself, having love and comfort around him. When Kromer was mentioned by Demian I teared up a bit. I'm giving it 4 stars cause everything talked about belongs to a religion and sects I know nothing about so thing kinda flew over my head but nevertheless the message carried out by this book already starting to impact my life, I am looking so mant things in a different light because of it, because of the attitude Demian oozed, because of Emil who went through so much and shared everything with us, every single uncertainty, makes me certain I can make it too, whatever the struggle might be. Just phenomenal

iwwvillains's review against another edition

5.0

i've finished this book this morning, and yet, here i am, still thinking about it at almost midnight. will i ever stop thinking about it? probably, maybe someday, but i will never forget it. demian has been such an impactful experience for me. it felt very weird: some bits were as if some higher being was spying right into my brain to put on paper my deepest feelings, my thoughts, my perception of the world. some of sinclair's thoughts were so similar to mine, yet alien, darker and mesmerising. it felt like catching a glimpse of myself in a mirror in dimly lit room. is it really me? or is it something else, a different being wearing my face? i never felt more exposed, never felt more confused, never felt more alienated from myself. hermann hesse managed to give life to a peculiar mix of conflicting emotions, blending reality and dream, cryptic symbols and everyday life, a world of alluring darkness and a world of divine and righteous light. i have no other words about demian, other than: wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. what a wonderful book.