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A review by solinachhoy
Demian by Hermann Hesse
4.0
4.25 ⭐️
Demian is a delightful and inspiring coming-of-age story about a boy named Emil Sinclair and his emotionally charged journey to self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment. Initially, we become acquainted with him as a young boy enclosed within the virtuous and comfortable confines of traditional devout family life. During the passage from adolescence to young adulthood, he becomes consumed by an inner turmoil, torn between his innocent and sheltered upbringing, and the rise of darker, more sensuous urges stirring within his soul.
The heart of its message can be distilled down to one word: Abraxas. The novel entertains this idea of reconciling the dichotomies inherent within us, dispelling the notion that we can be purely ‘good’ or purely ‘evil,’ as our nature transcends binary categories. There are intervals throughout the story where Sinclair plunges into the depths of despair and relinquishes himself to his darker impulses. But we are reminded at the end that this is not in vain, for it is in darkness that light can illuminate.
The narrative urges the reader to abandon all presentiments and mainstream ideals, and instead pursue their own unique destiny, untainted by external factors. This is where my sole gripe rests: as I am not well-versed in mysticism, I did find this overarching message to be mildly abstract and frivolous. I believe at one point he mentions how artistic endeavours are merely digressions from one’s true path to enlightenment, but my question is: can’t they coexist ? Can a poet not simply “fulfil his destiny” by writing haikus ? I appreciate the sentiment though (and I mean that genuinely).
I hope all my chakras are aligned after reading this.
Demian is a delightful and inspiring coming-of-age story about a boy named Emil Sinclair and his emotionally charged journey to self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment. Initially, we become acquainted with him as a young boy enclosed within the virtuous and comfortable confines of traditional devout family life. During the passage from adolescence to young adulthood, he becomes consumed by an inner turmoil, torn between his innocent and sheltered upbringing, and the rise of darker, more sensuous urges stirring within his soul.
The heart of its message can be distilled down to one word: Abraxas. The novel entertains this idea of reconciling the dichotomies inherent within us, dispelling the notion that we can be purely ‘good’ or purely ‘evil,’ as our nature transcends binary categories. There are intervals throughout the story where Sinclair plunges into the depths of despair and relinquishes himself to his darker impulses. But we are reminded at the end that this is not in vain, for it is in darkness that light can illuminate.
The narrative urges the reader to abandon all presentiments and mainstream ideals, and instead pursue their own unique destiny, untainted by external factors. This is where my sole gripe rests: as I am not well-versed in mysticism, I did find this overarching message to be mildly abstract and frivolous. I believe at one point he mentions how artistic endeavours are merely digressions from one’s true path to enlightenment, but my question is: can’t they coexist ? Can a poet not simply “fulfil his destiny” by writing haikus ? I appreciate the sentiment though (and I mean that genuinely).
I hope all my chakras are aligned after reading this.