The Novels of Hermann Hesse: A Study in Theme and Structure

by Theodore Ziolkowski

Book Overview

The description for this book, The Novels of Hermann Hesse: A Study in Theme and Structure, will be forthcoming.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0691012725
• ISBN13: 9780691012728
• Release Date: April 1967
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Length: 315 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Classic Study of Hermann Hesse's Novels

Incredible that I'm the first one to review this book! Perhaps it's because it's no longer in print? I don't know, but I highly recommend Ziolkowski's superbly readable critical study for ALL serious Hesse fans. If you've read at least two of his novels, and plan on reading more, than you MUST at least glance through a couple chapters of this book. In it, Ziolkowski discusses Hesse's life and times, putting his work into its literary context. First and foremost, Hesse was a writer of fiction, and the craftmanship of Hesse's writing style is prevelant. In addition to relevant biographical information, there are discussions on "Magical Thinking", "Timelessness", "Humor", and "Triadic Rhythm", which are all important aspects of structure and theme to be found in all of Hesse's work. The focus here is on the six major novels, in chronological order: Demian, Siddhartha, Steppenwolf, Narcissus & Goldmund, Journey to the East, and The Glass Bead Game. Each is given its own chapter and lengthy analysis. One of the important discoveries Ziolkowski makes is that the spiritual progress of the protagonist in each novel continues where he left off in the successive novel (i.e. Demian develops into Siddhartha into the Steppenwolf into both Narcissus & Goldmund, into the realm of Castalia in The Glass Bead Game). This is a simplification, but the concept is fascinating once you've read all the novels, and can appreciate what Ziolkowski reveals about Hesse, a master artist. There's a lot here, especially for a cheap, out-of-print paperback with a trippy 1960's black & yellow cover full of Hesse heads! Well worth having delivered to your doorstep, along with more of Hesse's magical works. Happy journeys (to the East)!