Reviews tagging 'War'

Demian by Hermann Hesse

28 reviews

damiscous's review

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I've read this book a handful of times since I was a teenager, and, after some of my most difficult years, I have come back to it for reasons beyond myself. There is no doubt in my mind that I'll continue to come back to this work for reasons that extend beyond mere nostalgia and memories, the lyricism and beauty, mystery and mysticism that are contained in this work. The writing is not hard to follow. The plot is very much centered on the central character's growth as he becomes his own person, touching on religion, taboos, and the fear of independence. This is a work that, through different readings and information, the reader can find new meaning and questions in concerns to the text, World War I, and the life of Hermann Hesse. If there was ever book that I wanted to recommend, it would be this one. Take it, read it, hate it, come back to it and try again - I promise this book has something to offer to every human being in their everlasting journey of self-discovery.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, and War

Minor: Murder

skylar_cr_wolf's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I read this for a presentation in high school but I think it is still pretty carved in my brain.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War and Death

avie_j's review against another edition

dark 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

1.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War

Minor: Injury/Injury detail

ritsuka's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: War

Minor: Death

juliana05's review

challenging mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism

Moderate: War and Suicide attempt

tori21's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: War

utsuro's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

it's pretty gay but i don't think that's what hesse intended

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol

Minor: War

lynxpardinus's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Bullying

Moderate: Grief, Sexual content, Vomit, War, Classism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Racism, Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Misogyny

Minor: Islamophobia, Antisemitism, and Incest

The relationship between the protagonist and the title character, which can be read as romantic, has an age gap of several years, which in the case of this interpretation is questionable given that they first met as children. There are also some uncomfortably romantic interactions between the protagonist and the title character's mother.

honeyvoiced's review

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: War, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts

miiamatu's review

challenging reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol

Moderate: War

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt