horreurclub's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
alexchig's review
challenging
4.0
I decided to pick up the German copy of this, and while it was great for expanding my vocabulary, it was admittedly quite a slog to get through. I suppose I was expecting a similar level of language as in Demian, but this ended up being more complex. Nonetheless, I got through it and I have some thoughts.
Just as in Demian, I can see that Hesse has alluded to the Jungian archetypes in this work, which I enjoyed. The premise is a sort of battle between the intuitive and sensory functions. I could relate to this as I struggle with a similar issue of constantly living in my head, and having to remind myself to go out and "touch some grass" every once in a while. Harry experiences this much more deeply of course, and appears to also be generally quite mentally unwell throughout the novel. For me personally, the takeaway from this was the knowledge that while thinking deeply about yourself is useful, it is important to also remember to be present in your life and to try and see the humour in it. That may be a more optimistic message than what the author had intended, but that was what I extracted from it for myself.
Just as in Demian, I can see that Hesse has alluded to the Jungian archetypes in this work, which I enjoyed. The premise is a sort of battle between the intuitive and sensory functions. I could relate to this as I struggle with a similar issue of constantly living in my head, and having to remind myself to go out and "touch some grass" every once in a while. Harry experiences this much more deeply of course, and appears to also be generally quite mentally unwell throughout the novel. For me personally, the takeaway from this was the knowledge that while thinking deeply about yourself is useful, it is important to also remember to be present in your life and to try and see the humour in it. That may be a more optimistic message than what the author had intended, but that was what I extracted from it for myself.
melissardv's review against another edition
5.0
Savant mélange entre réalité et songe, il nous transporte et nous perturbe.
travelling_bookworm's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
“I am in truth the Steppenwolf that I often call myself; that beast astray that finds neither home nor joy nor nourishment in a world that is strange and incomprehensible to him.”
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This is perhaps a story that might seem familiar or relevant to most, battling with themes of war on all fronts: from the past nightmare of WW1 to the looming fear of a new war on the horizon, but also, and perhaps above all, the war of the inner selves. The wild vs. the civilized, the innate vs. the curated, being an outsider vs. being an insincere part of the herd… The search for the self within itself, within the society around, and within religion is above all a great question to tackle.
As far as philosophical fiction goes, it is an interesting piece of writing. It definitely has its ups (like the entire second half of the novel) and downs (like the first half of the novel, particularly the suffocating Treatise on the Steppenwolf), and was a thought-provoking read overall. If you are patient enough to push past the first half of the book, the narrative gets much more interesting and unique.
---------------------------------
This is perhaps a story that might seem familiar or relevant to most, battling with themes of war on all fronts: from the past nightmare of WW1 to the looming fear of a new war on the horizon, but also, and perhaps above all, the war of the inner selves. The wild vs. the civilized, the innate vs. the curated, being an outsider vs. being an insincere part of the herd… The search for the self within itself, within the society around, and within religion is above all a great question to tackle.
As far as philosophical fiction goes, it is an interesting piece of writing. It definitely has its ups (like the entire second half of the novel) and downs (like the first half of the novel, particularly the suffocating Treatise on the Steppenwolf), and was a thought-provoking read overall. If you are patient enough to push past the first half of the book, the narrative gets much more interesting and unique.
moonscapist's review against another edition
5.0
Hermann Hesse on life and humor:
"I understood it all. (...) I knew that all the hundred thousand pieces of life's game were in my pocket. A glimpse of its meaning had stirred my reason and I was determined to begin the game afresh. I would sample its tortures once more and shudder again at its senselessness. I would traverse not once more, but often, the hell of my being.
One day I would be a better hand at the game. One day I would learn how to laugh."
1:52 pm. Umuulan. Thank you, Hesse, a thousand times over.
"I understood it all. (...) I knew that all the hundred thousand pieces of life's game were in my pocket. A glimpse of its meaning had stirred my reason and I was determined to begin the game afresh. I would sample its tortures once more and shudder again at its senselessness. I would traverse not once more, but often, the hell of my being.
One day I would be a better hand at the game. One day I would learn how to laugh."
1:52 pm. Umuulan. Thank you, Hesse, a thousand times over.
lucawch's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nicholasyount's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
The first half of the book is pretty boring (1-2 stars) but the second half picks up and makes up a bit for the dullness of the first half.
holodoxa's review against another edition
3.0
It's possible my failure to be completely enthralled by this novel makes me not so very different from the protagonist Harry Haller himself; however, it seems that the insight into human nature that Steppenwolf has to offer is utterly self-evident and decidedly quaint. This may be a function of my educational background (English literature and biomedical sciences) or my personality (somewhat of a rational and individualistic optimist) or the wealth of knowledge and prosperity at our fingertips in 2020 versus 1927 (life is just enjoyable and enriching) or all these factors combined but I simply found Haller's psychological journey predictable and overwrought.
Noting this, I think it is important to give Hesse his due. He clearly is a thoughtful and capable writer. He lyrically parodies the prudery, anxiety, and melancholy of those (mostly Harry) who regard themselves too highly and too seriously. Hesse also demonstrates a proclivity for experimentation and exploration, even a willingness to admit ignorance, which is admirable in an intellectual. Steppenwolf is at least in part a conversation between Western and Eastern conceptions about the psychology of the self, a debate that continues on today with equal fervor. Hesse is clearly partial to some ideas from Eastern philosophy though isn't dismissing Western ideas either - just those that seem to burden one's mind with unwarranted suffering.
Altogether this is likely an interesting read for individuals deeply concerned with philosophy concerning the psychology of the self or individuals interested art/music criticism (there is a lot about music in Steppenwolf that I probably failed to appreciate too), but if you're looking for literary fiction where characters are drawn distinctly and boldly and the plotting is elaborate or at least existent then you may want to avoid this kaleidoscope of one divided (psychologically) and middle-aged man's Odyssey of the mind.
Noting this, I think it is important to give Hesse his due. He clearly is a thoughtful and capable writer. He lyrically parodies the prudery, anxiety, and melancholy of those (mostly Harry) who regard themselves too highly and too seriously. Hesse also demonstrates a proclivity for experimentation and exploration, even a willingness to admit ignorance, which is admirable in an intellectual. Steppenwolf is at least in part a conversation between Western and Eastern conceptions about the psychology of the self, a debate that continues on today with equal fervor. Hesse is clearly partial to some ideas from Eastern philosophy though isn't dismissing Western ideas either - just those that seem to burden one's mind with unwarranted suffering.
Altogether this is likely an interesting read for individuals deeply concerned with philosophy concerning the psychology of the self or individuals interested art/music criticism (there is a lot about music in Steppenwolf that I probably failed to appreciate too), but if you're looking for literary fiction where characters are drawn distinctly and boldly and the plotting is elaborate or at least existent then you may want to avoid this kaleidoscope of one divided (psychologically) and middle-aged man's Odyssey of the mind.
23149014345613's review against another edition
5.0
Siddhartha is one of my favorite books of all time, and I think I like this book even more. While reading all I could think was "oh good, someone has already written my autobiography for me". How does a German man from 100 years ago manage to write exactly the thing I need to hear? I can't fit all the good adjectives in this review box, so let me just say this is a Great Work.