Demian: The Story of a Youth

by Hermann Hesse and Thomas Mann

Book Overview

2011 Reprint of 1948 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. The main character of this classic novel, Emil Sinclair, is a young boy raised in a bourgeois home, amidst what is described as a Scheinwelt, a play on words that means "world of light" as well as "world of illusion". Emil's entire existence can be summarized as a struggle between two worlds: the show world of illusion (related to...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1614270260
• ISBN13: 9781614270263
• Release Date: May 2011
• Publisher: Martino Fine Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

One of my recent favorites

Its the first time in a while that i couldn’t put a book down. I’ve recently gotten back into reading and it was a perfect first choice to read.

Magic

At some point in anyones lifetime one should read this.

"Demian"

The best book I have EVER read

A Spiritual Read

Hesse's novel is a tribute to what I will refer to as religion with a big 'R'. This novel surpasses the conventions of religion and goes to the root of what it is to be a man and have faith in something even if the something is yourself. This is a very short and quick read so there is no reason that anyone should pass this up.

A MAN WITH SOMETHING TO SAY

In Demian Hesse relates the spiritual struggle of one Emil Sinclair, the growth of his psyche (utilizing symbolism influenced by Hesse's embrace of the psycho-analytic methods of Carl Jung, the mystical writings of Novalis and--inevitably, as in many of Hesse's other tales--the philosophy of Nietzsche) from childhood through adolescence to young adulthood, each stage of his growth determined by encounters with the prodigious Max Demian. While Max Demian is introduced into the narrative as a school-mate of young Sinclair, the title character is more an alter-ego, the very Self toward whom Sinclair ultimately strives, than a "flesh and blood character"--but, then again, Demian itself is more a symbolic dream tale than a concrete "coming of age" story (when I originally read the book as a sixteen-year-old high school student, I took much of the action much too literally, oftentimes to hilarious effect--as when I imitated the narrator and sketched a portrait, burned it and swallowed the ashes, an act I see now in my middle age quite other than the sort of contemplation Hesse intended to inspire). The novel presents one of the finest depictions to be found in all of literature of a certain sort of conflict: the struggle between the individual, whose spiritual growth posits him as an Outsider to bourgeois society (Demian describes these as having "the mark of Cain"), and the herd, the common run of humanity who seek not growth but unreflective contentment. At the same time, it is also important to remember that while Hesse depicts the progress of one individual, he is also speaking for his own generation--specifically, that of Germany on the eve of the first World War--and indeed, upon first being published, the novel did resonate with a large portion of the young German reading public, who identified with Sinclair's striving for Self and his battle against conformity. It is little wonder that Hesse would later connect with a similar generation on an even larger scale--those who grew up in the Sixties, who also found in Hesse a voice for their generation, in this case that of the counter-culture. This association would prove to be a double-edged sword: while Hesse's popularity in the Sixties did bring his works to the attention of a larger reading audience, the brilliant timelessness and universality of his works would be superficially obscured by associations with that era. In fact, like all of Hesse's greatest works--Siddhartha, Steppenwolf, Klingsor's Last Summer, Journey to The East, Knulp, Narcissus and Goldmund--Demian is essential reading for any generation, 20th Century, 21st Century: the struggle for individuality is the same, and Hesse's masterful, poetic description of that struggle speaks to all, young and old. One last thing: adolescent readers who do choose to read Demian will find in Hesse a friend for life; should one return again and again to his fictions one will find further and further rewards, will understand more and more. The

Brilliant but often misunderstood

Hermann Hesse is without a doubt one of the most intriguing writers I have ever read. However, when reading reviews and hearing other people's opinions, I usually feel that peopl misunderstood what he is like and what his character represents. This is particularly the case with Demian. This book is often described as a great insight into what it is like going from child to teenager and then entering the adult world. However, I believe that Sinclair, the main character, is not entering the normal world on any level. In fact he is leaving it. The first time he meets Demian, both know there is something different about him. As their friendship/relationship grows, it become smore and more clear that they should not be part of the normal world, where people to choose to be part of a group, to share a religion, to accept the truth as it is told to them. Demian shows sinclair a new world, where people of a higher intelligence, and by that I am referring to more than simply an academic intelligence, will find each other. Those who are different, who choose to be individuals instead of be part of the the main stream mass meet, are Hesse's version of the ubermensch. Where Nietzsche claims that all men can let go of the standards and morals of our society, their religion, their need to be part of a group, can focus on themselves and become better, become the ubermensch, someone who is above all others, someone who is not alone in his existence, but who is alone in his own life, Hesse contradicts this with an ubermensch who is born different, someone who will find others like him, someone who will has a clear vision of what people are like and who he is, an individual, an ubermensch. Hermann Hesse's Demian is not at all about growing up, or understanding "how the world works", Hesse is not for the average reader, but he will only be understood by those who understand themselves and can see themselves as individuals instead of part of the mass. On a more personal note: The very strong homosexual tendencies in this book intensify the emotional appeal of the book and are also simply satisfying.

Beautiful and Insightful

This is the best book I have ever read. It is the perfect guide for people who do not know what is going on in there lives, and even if you do, it will give you a path to follow. This book will leave you wanting for more and more of Hesse's work. And it is sure worth it!

Spiritually uplifting!

This is one of the very few books that gives insight into one's life. I found it to be a book that made me grasp a part of myself that I never fully knew I had. I first read this book after someone recommended it. I truly am grateful I did read it because it opened up a more spiritual side of me. It is a book of self-realization and I truly loved the way Hesse wrote it. It deals with a "connection" between people that everyone is able to have but few seek out. It's a very spiritual book that deals a lot with religion and deep inner-faith, as well as faith in others. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who's seeking themselves or even wants to have more inner-strength.