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physicsphilip 's review for:
The Glass Bead Game
by Hermann Hesse
This book was too long. I enjoyed the first 100 pages, but the almost constant barrage of long-winded dialogues about stuff that doesn't really matter became tiring. Some parts of the book, particularly in the last 200 pages, really felt agonising because of the frustratingly slow pace and extreme self-indulgence on Hesse's part. The only reason I finished this book was because I hate leaving books only partially read.
It feels like there's something slightly paradoxical about this book. Unless Hesse was a masochist, he really enjoyed writing about Joseph Knecht, Castalia and the Glass Bead Game. He didn't just write the fictional biography of Knecht. He wrote a 35-page outline of the history of Castalia and the Glass Bead Game. There is also a hundred-page appendix of the lead character's posthumous writings. I read the introduction. I didn't read the appendix because I just didn't care enough.
Yet despite putting all this effort into writing the book, there's no feeling of passion or enthrallment in this book. The dialogue and narration is long-winded and feels cold. We are told that Knecht is a very likeable, charismatic character, but that never comes across in his dialogue, unless Hesse reminds us just how great a guy he is.
Perhaps worst of all, there is no suspense, no tension, and no uncertainty in the story. Everything happens as you'd expect it to, and when there's any doubt, Hesse tells you with plenty of time.
I would only be tempted to read another book by Hesse if it was shorter, punchier and less self-indulgent.
It feels like there's something slightly paradoxical about this book. Unless Hesse was a masochist, he really enjoyed writing about Joseph Knecht, Castalia and the Glass Bead Game. He didn't just write the fictional biography of Knecht. He wrote a 35-page outline of the history of Castalia and the Glass Bead Game. There is also a hundred-page appendix of the lead character's posthumous writings. I read the introduction. I didn't read the appendix because I just didn't care enough.
Yet despite putting all this effort into writing the book, there's no feeling of passion or enthrallment in this book. The dialogue and narration is long-winded and feels cold. We are told that Knecht is a very likeable, charismatic character, but that never comes across in his dialogue, unless Hesse reminds us just how great a guy he is.
Perhaps worst of all, there is no suspense, no tension, and no uncertainty in the story. Everything happens as you'd expect it to, and when there's any doubt, Hesse tells you with plenty of time.
I would only be tempted to read another book by Hesse if it was shorter, punchier and less self-indulgent.