Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Демиан by Герман Гессe

20 reviews

damiscous's review against another edition

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I've read this book a handful of times since I was a teenager, and, after some of my most difficult years, I have come back to it for reasons beyond myself. There is no doubt in my mind that I'll continue to come back to this work for reasons that extend beyond mere nostalgia and memories, the lyricism and beauty, mystery and mysticism that are contained in this work. The writing is not hard to follow. The plot is very much centered on the central character's growth as he becomes his own person, touching on religion, taboos, and the fear of independence. This is a work that, through different readings and information, the reader can find new meaning and questions in concerns to the text, World War I, and the life of Hermann Hesse. If there was ever book that I wanted to recommend, it would be this one. Take it, read it, hate it, come back to it and try again - I promise this book has something to offer to every human being in their everlasting journey of self-discovery.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, and War

Minor: Murder

juliana05's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism

Moderate: Suicide attempt and War

lynxpardinus's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Bullying

Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, War, and Classism

Minor: Incest, Antisemitism, and Islamophobia

The relationship between the protagonist and the title character, which can be read as romantic, has an age gap of several years, which in the case of this interpretation is questionable given that they first met as children. There are also some uncomfortably romantic interactions between the protagonist and the title character's mother.

maurits's review against another edition

reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism

Minor: Sexual content

honeyvoiced's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and War

nozomi's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

It was going perfect but the final chapters were a mess. And in the final pages it was like the author got tired to write. 

Also, the character of Demian's mother didn't add to the story and the main plot. Much less the reciprocal romantic love between her and Sinclair. It seems at the same time an excuse to deny the gay subplot and a projection of the authors desires. It only explains itself as a dream state of the protagonist.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Sexism, Stalking, and Toxic friendship

Minor: War

cutepatzie's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

It really makes you questions if religions,  not using you. Make you ask a lot of questions about what you believe. Very philosophical focus on idea of new religion, a new way of thinking and breaking the old long not updated ideas and more.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicide attempt, and Classism

Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Incest, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, and War

thewordsdevourer's review against another edition

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

demian was perhaps the first book that got me thinking, "I definitely need to reread this again" with the utmost certainty literally while reading it. during a chaotic and pivotal time in my life, this book's insight, wisdom, and truth provided me w/ both comfort and dread: one is eased by the fact that they're no longer alone w/ their knowledge of what's to come, while simultaneously disheartened by the realization of what is seemingly inevitable.

sinclair's struggles resonated immensely w/ me. though i did fail to grasp some of the metaphorical aspects and didnt fully agree w/ some things, but the book's themes are timeless and even life-saving.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and War

Minor: Death and Sexual content

ailli1's review against another edition

dark inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt

Minor: Alcoholism and Alcohol

tintastristes's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

nunca me sentí tan humana como cuando leí este libro.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and War

Minor: Religious bigotry