Fun-wise, Knulp, I like the whole freedom thing very much.
But the Glass Bead Game is my favorite book. He spent 11 years on it and it really showed.

Best,
Duke

It is hard to apply the term "novel" to Hesse's writing because his prose defied the literary standards and definitions (which fact did not endear him to the literary community) :-( But "novel" is the term of choice for most of us in the absence of something better. From a technical literary point of view, Gertrude and Rosshalde are very well written, but they are among the lesser known works because their themes did not stir up the public as much as Demian, Klein and Wagner, and Steppenwolf, for example. Personally I agree with the popular choice of Siddhartha because of its great simplicity of structure and themes, and the unheard of accomplishment of describing Siddhartha's evolution from Brahmin's son to ferryman in less than 100 pages, which demonstrates that it can be done.

Interesting questions, Duke! I wonder what everyone else will have to say.
Gunther

Can we go back to the original Hesse list? I am sorry to say but I don't find the Forum user friendly enough. It confuses me!
My favourite is...are three and I can't renounce to any of them: Siddhartha, Narziss and Goldmund and TGBG
Best,
Delia Friedberg
ps. I need the address of the Hesse-L. I lost it in the computer crack-downs.

If you are not subscribed send a one-liner to listserv@listserv.ucsb.edu with the text "subscribe Hesse-L Your Name". I you want to post to the list, send your text to Hesse-L@listserv.ucsb.edu. Despite the low volume of discussion on that particular list, the university still supports it. The list uses a different format than the Forum of the Hesse Page HHP at www.gss.ucsb.edu/projects/hesse. Hope this helps.
Gunther

I'm not a literary critic by any means, but on a very personal note I loved Narcissus and Goldmund. It literally changed my perspective on life. I've read it many times and relate closely with the character Goldmund. I lost my mother at a young age and was turned out into the world. Unfortunately for me, I am what Hesse described as a mystic. One without the artistic talents to release the vision.

At the end of the day, isn't it in the eye of the reader. Shouldn't all art cause an emotional reaction in the individual? If it does, isn't it successful? If so why do we need to measure anything in objective terms?

My Favorite Hesse novel is Glasperlenspiel. I enjoy it's narrator very much. I am reading it for the second time now and am finding that it as even more fulfilling the second time around.

I am reading Goldmund now, cuase of your post.
thanks for the advice

My favorite Hesse novel is Steppenwolf. In fact, I think it's my favorite novel of all time. I re-read it periodically and I'm still fasinated by it.

Hi Rhonda

Steppenwoolf is my favourite book of all time as well. What is it about it that fascinates you?

My favorite book is Unterm Rad. I re-read it for 12 years.

I haven't read all the books of H., but I "dig" all off them that I have read, including Narciss und Goldmund, Demian, Kurgast, some fairy tales, and Gertrude.

I think I love his first work the most. It is Peter Camenzind, very romantic. But when you want to laugh you definitely must read Kurgast. I dig this book because of the self-spot of an a bit difficult man, who tries to handle his life, and at the same time spiritual growth. I can see myself in it.

Uhm, the last few sentences I started with "I", a bit selfish, I am sorry, but nevertheless enjoy your day/weekend!

The greatest book of all time, for me, is Demian. I found there what i was looking for. When all looked down on me, Hesse gave me his hand and lifted me up.

yours Jastvo!

I go back and forth, but I think my favorite would have to be Narcissus and Goldmund. I have read it 3 times and it means more to me each time. I guess I could say that for all of Hesse's work that I have read more than once. Gertrude also deeply affected me when I first read it. At the time I had already read all of Hesse's "major" works: N & G, Steppenwolf, Siddhartha, Demian, GBG etc, and I guess I just wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was.

Steppenwolf is Hesse's best novel. It does not fall short like Demian or Unterm Rad. It does not overshoot like Glasperlenspiel. It is in the middle and contains the best of Hesse's thought, even before he realized it. Have you ever heard of a band called Peter Camenzind or Klingsor's Letzer Sommer? No? Perhaps the name Steppenwolf and Born to be Wild will jog your memory. Really, no other Hesse novel is even in the same ballpark. period

I really love Demian, and I also like SteppenWolf a lot. I dont know how you felt while you were reading it, but for what you said I belive it brought to me similar sensations and deep deep feelings. This two books, and other of couse, opened my mind greatly.

Ver nica

i don't know if i had a favorite, but siddhartha definately affected me the most. it really changed how i view things. made me more serene, and increased my appreciation for all things. i even embrace people's differences (or do a much better job anyway) hh had a profound influence on my ideals and my life.

I fell I want to express my opinion too. I've read about all I could find translated in my native language from Hermann Hesse (almost all of his works), but time has passed. And now, as I look back, I find I like all of them, that they make a whole. I don't know much about his life, but I think his novels, all of them, outline a single character, and that's him. So I couldn't say which of his novels I like best, since I feel like they complete a single work, with a single character and a single theme, a single message to the world.

Stepski vuk !!

(Steppenwolf. ED.)

Edited by Gunther on 05/29/03 03:36 PM.

Hi! My fvourite Hesse's book is Narcissus and Goldmund. I only read 4 books by Hermann Hesse (including Sidartha and Steppenwolf) but this is my favourite. I loved it because it made me understand a little bit more about Art and the artistic creation and it showed me how can two lifes make such diferent journeys: the religious one, lived acording to the rules, and the Goldmund's life, looking for a meaning to his existence expressing himself either through art or love.
The description of the places is very good.
It is a fantastic book - one of the best I have ever read.
Sorry about my english but do not speak it for 5 years!

Ant nio

i would have difficulty choosing a favorite myself. but i must say, reading "The Fairy Tales of Hermann Hesse" blew my mind..each story was better than the last! he can word things, from simple concepts to insanely complex ideologies with...this air of sensuality and brilliance. he fulfills all requirements

I loved them all, but if forced to choose a favorite it would be "Journey to the East." It perfectly encapsulates all the major themes in a magical story that rings so true to life in its metaphorical way. To wander away, to be lost, then to find oneself again, to recover the mystery and magic of life ...

My favorite hesse novel is Siddhartha. I read the Hilda Rosnes's English translation of the novel in 1976. Since than I have read the novel more than 30 times. It was my companion for more than a quarter of a century in my travels, my life. Each new reading of Siddartha took me to new experiences, meaning. It was like meditating. I tried to learn German to read Siddhartha in German. I have translated the book into Malaylam an Indian language in 1985. For more than five years I read the translation to friends without giving it for publication. In 1990 it was published and presently it has gone through five printruns. Siddhartha continues to be my favorite book and best friend. Also I consider Hilda Rosner's as the best translation of Siddhartha in any lanuage.

Siddhartha... it's like a holly rain for my soul and... mind. It's very deeper in my soul.

Edited by dakus on 01/25/03 08:21 PM.

My favorite Hesse novel to date is Siddartha. Rosshalde is a close second, both are amazing. Actually all of his novels are.

A short, simple work which includes his own watercolor paintings, WANDERINGS.

my favourite "novel", if we can say that, is "El juego de los abalorios", "Das Glasperlenspiel".

I read Demian as a thirteen year old and it basically changed my viewpoint on things in life and I have re-read it many times ever since;