Scan barcode
A review by stephatree
The Glass Bead Game by Hermann Hesse
4.0
It's a bit long. Maybe a bit longer than it needs to be. But I really enjoyed it! It made me realize how nerdy I am. A school doesn't need to be magical like Hogwarts in order to appeal to me. Of course, I couldn't have gotten into a Castalian school due to my gender. But anyway, I did love going on this vicarious adventure with Joseph.
At first, Joseph's excitement to go to Castalia is utterly contagious. He is a nerd too, excited to learn and become a member of this exclusive intellectual elite. Then came waves of doubt. Will this really be the best life for Joseph? Is life in Castalia really superior to life out "in the world?"
The arguments against Castalia had some persuasive points. For example, Castalians live on the government's dime, which makes some people see them as a burden to society. Especially when Castalians spend their lives researching topics that don't really matter. These studies often don't seem to contribute to society at all.
There's really a lack of purpose for much of Castalian life. I found it really surprising and sad that they are discouraged from expressing creativity outside the glass bead game. It's odd that they deeply study and revere the arts, yet don't make any art themselves. They don't write creatively or paint or make original music.
These drawbacks to Castalian life made me relate heavily to Joseph's internal struggle. Part of him feels drawn to the outside world, where he feels his life could be more purposeful and free. Yet, the Order offers a life of relative carefree stability, where he can devote his life to his beloved glass bead game.
There is foreshadowing throughout the book, but it didn't spoil the journey for me at all. It felt like a heartwarming, thought-provoking journey.
At first, Joseph's excitement to go to Castalia is utterly contagious. He is a nerd too, excited to learn and become a member of this exclusive intellectual elite. Then came waves of doubt. Will this really be the best life for Joseph? Is life in Castalia really superior to life out "in the world?"
The arguments against Castalia had some persuasive points. For example, Castalians live on the government's dime, which makes some people see them as a burden to society. Especially when Castalians spend their lives researching topics that don't really matter. These studies often don't seem to contribute to society at all.
There's really a lack of purpose for much of Castalian life. I found it really surprising and sad that they are discouraged from expressing creativity outside the glass bead game. It's odd that they deeply study and revere the arts, yet don't make any art themselves. They don't write creatively or paint or make original music.
These drawbacks to Castalian life made me relate heavily to Joseph's internal struggle. Part of him feels drawn to the outside world, where he feels his life could be more purposeful and free. Yet, the Order offers a life of relative carefree stability, where he can devote his life to his beloved glass bead game.
There is foreshadowing throughout the book, but it didn't spoil the journey for me at all. It felt like a heartwarming, thought-provoking journey.