Steppenwolf

When I was in college I read Hesse’s “Siddhartha, and started to read Steppenwolf, but never finished. When I saw it was available on CD, in the library, I decided to give it another try. Basically the story describes a spiritual crisis in a man named Harry Haller. Hesse’s own initials are HH, just like Harry. This leads some to believe that Hesse was describing himself. Harry’s...more

When I was in college I read Hesse’s “Siddhartha, and started to read Steppenwolf, but never finished. When I saw it was available on CD, in the library, I decided to give it another try. Basically the story describes a spiritual crisis in a man named Harry Haller. Hesse’s own initials are HH, just like Harry. This leads some to believe that Hesse was describing himself. Harry’s personality seems to have two parts: 1) his humanity, and 2) his aggressive wolf-like side and homelessness. Harry struggles with thoughts of suicide that seem to develop from the fact that he is all alone, and unlucky with women. Hesse is said to have written this novel in Basel and Zurich. These are two cities I enjoyed when I went to Switzerland so it is easy to imagine the world of Harry Haller. Hesse wanted to name the novel “Harry Haller’s Records (For Madmen Only)” gives you some idea what the book is about. Harry seems to struggle with life in the real world. Then one day he receives a small book about The Steppenwolf, Harry seems to think it describes himself. I found it hard to listen to the book without drifting off into my own thoughts this made it hard to concentrate. That is not a bad quality in a novel, but it makes it difficult if you are listening. Eventually Harry meets Hermine and she introduces him to drug use, sex, and teaches him how to dance. Harry comes to believe these are important aspects of a full life. Harry’s life ends in “The Magic Theatre” of Hermine’s friend, Pablo. Inside the theatre Harry finds five doors. I found myself just wanting the book to be over which is probably what happened when I tried to read it in college, too.   hide

Wonderful

šta reći za Hessa-čista petica

A brillaint book concerning harry haller and his struggles with his soul and life. A strange book but excellent all the same.