I have to write an article about Herman Hesse for new readers, what are the novels which you think they should read first to understand his brillant mind and his deep feelings. I'm sorry for my grammar but I'm an english student from Mexico. Regards.

Answering the mail of "balcebu x" I'd say that althoug I haven't read a lot of Hermann Hesse, the firs book I read made me have a little idea of what's his stile and this book isn't as complicate as "El lobo estepario". The book is "Bajo las ruedas". I liked it a lot and I recomend it to you. Sorry for writting the tittles in Spanish and for my English, I'm from Spain. I hope my mail will be usefulto you.

Although I'm not an expert on Hesse's novels my experience says that one easy to begin with might be "Beneath the wheel". It's one good to start to learn about Hesse's style and ideas, and even to understand better Demian's, a novel which has much more to tell and which could be a good continuation.
I'm sure other novels might be good as well. I must say I began with Demian, and perhaps such a beauty and truth, was what captivated me.
Sorry for my english too

In my opinion, one should read first Demian and then Narziss und Goldmund to appreciate the works of Hesse and after reading these, for sure, you will continue with all others.

I'd advice narziss & goldmund to start with. Why? because this novel contains a lot of stuff in a very psychological romantic - not-to-heavy- way. Ideal to come in Hesse's world. Then maybe Siddhartha or Demian. Then the Steppenwolf, which is the most difficult. Why? Because most people only get half of the picture they read. They don't fully understand with Hesse wants to say. This can be dangerous, because Hesse plays with suicide thoughts. A lot of people recognize theirselves in this picture. But the essence is in understanding everything, and hence see the positivism (like Siddhartha) that He wants to communicate to the reader.