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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Glass Bead Game by Herman Hesse is in many ways a strange novel. It tells the story of the man who is to become The Game Master (Magister Ludi) in a future society,but you never gets to know him. The novel is more about ideas, history, philosophy, music and mathematics. It´s about how to live our lives.
I found it quite boring at times, and it is a demanding novel. It´s not easy read. I, at least, had to struggle with it. Still it gave me something, it made me think and I´m very glad I finally read it after having it collecting dust so many years in my bookshelf.
I found it quite boring at times, and it is a demanding novel. It´s not easy read. I, at least, had to struggle with it. Still it gave me something, it made me think and I´m very glad I finally read it after having it collecting dust so many years in my bookshelf.
challenging
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
If The Glass Bead Game was a new release, I imagine critics saying Hesse had run out of fresh ideas, that his themes had become repetitive and meager. I’m pretty sure Hesse thought these, too, but I’m more certain that he could not care less. His protagonist here asked, “Are my thoughts new, unique, my own, or have the Master and many before him experienced and thought exactly the same?” This question might have plagued Hesse himself, but he continued to write variations of the same coming-of-age, find-your-own-truth stories. Hesse is so chill and what manifests well in GBG is his respect for all beliefs. Another character in the book said, “… it is neither my business nor yours to attack a man’s beliefs and tell him these are lies and errors.” Some might say that this only avoids arguments but nope. It is a start of an open-minded conversation, one that aims more to listen than to contest. Not the most exciting book but a great meditative read.
mysterious
slow-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
pretty fun to read - i have read very little classic literature in my life so it's nice to jump back into it
started reading a friend's copy while hiking in Spain and i was very intrigued by how dense and bureaucratic the prose was (at least in the beginning) and also how good of a job it does at not explaining what the fuck the Glass Bead Game is
i still don't really know if Castalia is Hesse's genuine idea of a utopia or if some elements are farcical. i specifically didn't do any research on his personal philosophy while reading so that I wouldn't have it spoiled for me. but maybe I am stupid for not being able to tell
stopped at the "lives of joseph knecht" section - maybe I'll finish it eventually? not sure if they actually provide important context for the book or if they are just silly addenda
started reading a friend's copy while hiking in Spain and i was very intrigued by how dense and bureaucratic the prose was (at least in the beginning) and also how good of a job it does at not explaining what the fuck the Glass Bead Game is
i still don't really know if Castalia is Hesse's genuine idea of a utopia or if some elements are farcical. i specifically didn't do any research on his personal philosophy while reading so that I wouldn't have it spoiled for me. but maybe I am stupid for not being able to tell
stopped at the "lives of joseph knecht" section - maybe I'll finish it eventually? not sure if they actually provide important context for the book or if they are just silly addenda
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
inspiring
reflective
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
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Rich with philosophical insight, but at times somewhat boring. Deep enough to sometimes be opaque.