I haven't read all the books of H., but I "dig" all off them that I have read, including Narciss und Goldmund, Demian, Kurgast, some fairy tales, and Gertrude.

I think I love his first work the most. It is Peter Camenzind, very romantic. But when you want to laugh you definitely must read Kurgast. I dig this book because of the self-spot of an a bit difficult man, who tries to handle his life, and at the same time spiritual growth. I can see myself in it.

Uhm, the last few sentences I started with "I", a bit selfish, I am sorry, but nevertheless enjoy your day/weekend!

The greatest book of all time, for me, is Demian. I found there what i was looking for. When all looked down on me, Hesse gave me his hand and lifted me up.

yours Jastvo!

I go back and forth, but I think my favorite would have to be Narcissus and Goldmund. I have read it 3 times and it means more to me each time. I guess I could say that for all of Hesse's work that I have read more than once. Gertrude also deeply affected me when I first read it. At the time I had already read all of Hesse's "major" works: N & G, Steppenwolf, Siddhartha, Demian, GBG etc, and I guess I just wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was.

Steppenwolf is Hesse's best novel. It does not fall short like Demian or Unterm Rad. It does not overshoot like Glasperlenspiel. It is in the middle and contains the best of Hesse's thought, even before he realized it. Have you ever heard of a band called Peter Camenzind or Klingsor's Letzer Sommer? No? Perhaps the name Steppenwolf and Born to be Wild will jog your memory. Really, no other Hesse novel is even in the same ballpark. period

I really love Demian, and I also like SteppenWolf a lot. I dont know how you felt while you were reading it, but for what you said I belive it brought to me similar sensations and deep deep feelings. This two books, and other of couse, opened my mind greatly.

Ver nica

i don't know if i had a favorite, but siddhartha definately affected me the most. it really changed how i view things. made me more serene, and increased my appreciation for all things. i even embrace people's differences (or do a much better job anyway) hh had a profound influence on my ideals and my life.

I fell I want to express my opinion too. I've read about all I could find translated in my native language from Hermann Hesse (almost all of his works), but time has passed. And now, as I look back, I find I like all of them, that they make a whole. I don't know much about his life, but I think his novels, all of them, outline a single character, and that's him. So I couldn't say which of his novels I like best, since I feel like they complete a single work, with a single character and a single theme, a single message to the world.

Stepski vuk !!

(Steppenwolf. ED.)

Edited by Gunther on 05/29/03 03:36 PM.

Hi! My fvourite Hesse's book is Narcissus and Goldmund. I only read 4 books by Hermann Hesse (including Sidartha and Steppenwolf) but this is my favourite. I loved it because it made me understand a little bit more about Art and the artistic creation and it showed me how can two lifes make such diferent journeys: the religious one, lived acording to the rules, and the Goldmund's life, looking for a meaning to his existence expressing himself either through art or love.
The description of the places is very good.
It is a fantastic book - one of the best I have ever read.
Sorry about my english but do not speak it for 5 years!

Ant nio

i would have difficulty choosing a favorite myself. but i must say, reading "The Fairy Tales of Hermann Hesse" blew my mind..each story was better than the last! he can word things, from simple concepts to insanely complex ideologies with...this air of sensuality and brilliance. he fulfills all requirements