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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
I’ve long intended to read another book by Herman Hesse. Siddhartha, his reimagining of the life of the Buddha, is one of my all-time favorite books, and one of two that I have read more than twice (the other is Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury). But for some reason I’ve never read another book by him until now. I think that was probably a mistake. Demian is a Nietschean/Freudian parable about a young man finding his own moral compass in the world, and there is a lot of beautiful wisdom in it. Ultimately, though, I find the “great man” theory to be philosophically bankrupt, seductive though it may be, and the book’s finale was unsatisfying. Still, it’s a short read that will make you think, and I think it’s worth the time. If you enjoyed The Alchemist by Pablo Coehlo, you will probably enjoy this, at least in storytelling style.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“It’s possible for one to never transgress a single law and still be a bastard. And vice versa…Those who are too lazy and comfortable to think for themselves and be their own judges obey the laws. Others sense their own laws within them; things are forbidden to them that every honorable man will do any day in the year and other things are allowed to them that are generally despised.”
“Each man had only one genuine vocation—to find the way to himself.”
Some of my favorite quotes:
“It’s possible for one to never transgress a single law and still be a bastard. And vice versa…Those who are too lazy and comfortable to think for themselves and be their own judges obey the laws. Others sense their own laws within them; things are forbidden to them that every honorable man will do any day in the year and other things are allowed to them that are generally despised.”
“Each man had only one genuine vocation—to find the way to himself.”
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Although it is a fairly short book, I found myself reading in fits and starts as many themes present in the books seemed familiar and yet distant. I wonder what my reaction would have been if I had read this book much earlier in life, recognising many of the the struggles represented in the book and maybe even relating a bit more.
A book on contemplation of religion, self love and acceptance, how one interacts with the world around us and what it means to exist in the society you are in. All told through the lens of a boy slowly growing up with expectations of society, his own family and of himself. I personally think everyone takes away something different from this book and that is the point.
A book on contemplation of religion, self love and acceptance, how one interacts with the world around us and what it means to exist in the society you are in. All told through the lens of a boy slowly growing up with expectations of society, his own family and of himself. I personally think everyone takes away something different from this book and that is the point.
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
as a recovering pretentious person i’m always going to support the pretentious youth!
something really clicked for me here but i don’t think i’d recommend it to just anybody…
at times the writing was very philosophical/dense but i was still able to cruise straight through which usually doesn’t happen so that’s another reason why i enjoyed it. but i'm never a fan of when authors fast-forward in their final chapter and just casually skip through time even though the pace of the book was roughly the same for 99% of it. and there was a late introduction of some oedipus-esque situations which didn’t go too far so it was fine.
nevertheless, the very final scene just made me so happy and pleased.
something really clicked for me here but i don’t think i’d recommend it to just anybody…
at times the writing was very philosophical/dense but i was still able to cruise straight through which usually doesn’t happen so that’s another reason why i enjoyed it. but i'm never a fan of when authors fast-forward in their final chapter and just casually skip through time even though the pace of the book was roughly the same for 99% of it. and there was a late introduction of some oedipus-esque situations which didn’t go too far so it was fine.
nevertheless, the very final scene just made me so happy and pleased.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-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
My favorite book of all time. So many hidden meanings and interpretations. I think everyone should read it at least once in their life.
inspiring
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
dark
emotional
reflective