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A review by stefo
Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Pfew, this was quite the beast.
Not only was it quite difficult to read at times because of its meta structure and the lack of chapters, but also for the incredible amount of nuggets of wisdom Hesse sprinkles throughout. And as much as I disliked some parts (mainly Harry's pretentious ramblings, which thankfully are criticized by the book itself later on [yeah its that meta]) I highly enjoyed the experience this book is. Shit escalates slowly but pretty heavily, the last 50 pages or so are absolutely masterful, and of course they wouldn't work well without the previous 200.
Lastly I want to point out that if you're planning on reading this, don't worry about "not getting it", the book as a whole and its messages can be quite abstract or difficult to grasp but as Hesse has stated himself: "Of course, I neither can nor intend to tell my readers how they ought to understand my tale. May everyone find in it what strikes a chord in him and is of some use to him!" (From the author's note included in my version of the book)
Not only was it quite difficult to read at times because of its meta structure and the lack of chapters, but also for the incredible amount of nuggets of wisdom Hesse sprinkles throughout. And as much as I disliked some parts (mainly Harry's pretentious ramblings, which thankfully are criticized by the book itself later on [yeah its that meta]) I highly enjoyed the experience this book is. Shit escalates slowly but pretty heavily, the last 50 pages or so are absolutely masterful, and of course they wouldn't work well without the previous 200.
Lastly I want to point out that if you're planning on reading this, don't worry about "not getting it", the book as a whole and its messages can be quite abstract or difficult to grasp but as Hesse has stated himself: "Of course, I neither can nor intend to tell my readers how they ought to understand my tale. May everyone find in it what strikes a chord in him and is of some use to him!" (From the author's note included in my version of the book)