A review by sercem_w_ksiazkach
The Fairy Tales of Hermann Hesse by Hermann Hesse
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Hermann Hesse's fables are as beautiful as his writing: picturesque, dreamy and philosofical. All of the stories were told through a very poetic languange and vivid images, and most of them had great endings. The theme connecting those tales was that there were very bright, innocent characters that emerged into the world and have experienced its depth and/or cruelty for the first time. They were incredibly imaginative, but also their plotlines were beautiful. Here are my favourites:
<b><i>Augustus</i></b>
In this story, a recently-widowed young woman is expecting to give birth. Her neighbour, old and peculiar man offers her help and a wish: anything she wishes for her son when the angels sing will happen. Running out of time, she wishes that he's loved by everyone - which turns out to be a curse.
The themes reminded me of "The Picture of Dorian Grey": two beautiful young men with a curse, using their beauty and alliances to get power. For both of them, love is the start of their downfall, albeit Dorian focuses more on romantic one and Augustus on platonic as in care for others.
<b><i>Faldum</i></b>
Every year, everyone near the village Faldum comes there for the fair. There also comes a rather weird man who starts granting wishes for everyone in the village. I especially liked the latter part of the story, from the perspective of the mountain, as it felt very sentimental and sweet.
<b><i>Strange News from Another Planet</i></b>
After an avalanche that falls on a village, there aren't enough flowers to decorate every tomb. A boy volunteers to ask their king for more flowers, however along the way he meets a bird that flies him to another planet - on a battlefield. The pureness of the main character and his desire to make others' lives easier touched me, and this was a sad, but beautiful story.
<b><i>Poet</i></b>
The main character, aspiring poet Han Fook, is soon to marry a beautiful girl from his village. However he values art more than arranged marriage, and wants to practice his skills before settling down. During a festival, he sees a man that recites the most beautiful poems he has ever heard who offers to teach him. He does so after getting a permission from his father, expecting to come back after a year or two. But when passion meets ambition, is it possible to adhere to societal norms and remember your responsibilities?
<b><i>Augustus</i></b>
In this story, a recently-widowed young woman is expecting to give birth. Her neighbour, old and peculiar man offers her help and a wish: anything she wishes for her son when the angels sing will happen. Running out of time, she wishes that he's loved by everyone - which turns out to be a curse.
The themes reminded me of "The Picture of Dorian Grey": two beautiful young men with a curse, using their beauty and alliances to get power. For both of them, love is the start of their downfall, albeit Dorian focuses more on romantic one and Augustus on platonic as in care for others.
<b><i>Faldum</i></b>
Every year, everyone near the village Faldum comes there for the fair. There also comes a rather weird man who starts granting wishes for everyone in the village. I especially liked the latter part of the story, from the perspective of the mountain, as it felt very sentimental and sweet.
<b><i>Strange News from Another Planet</i></b>
After an avalanche that falls on a village, there aren't enough flowers to decorate every tomb. A boy volunteers to ask their king for more flowers, however along the way he meets a bird that flies him to another planet - on a battlefield. The pureness of the main character and his desire to make others' lives easier touched me, and this was a sad, but beautiful story.
<b><i>Poet</i></b>
The main character, aspiring poet Han Fook, is soon to marry a beautiful girl from his village. However he values art more than arranged marriage, and wants to practice his skills before settling down. During a festival, he sees a man that recites the most beautiful poems he has ever heard who offers to teach him. He does so after getting a permission from his father, expecting to come back after a year or two. But when passion meets ambition, is it possible to adhere to societal norms and remember your responsibilities?