Reviews

Demian by Hermann Hesse

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isthisalice's review against another edition

4.0

Very striking descriptions of Max Demian. I loved all the biblical, literary and gnostic references (esp Demian’s interpretation of the mark of Cain and Abraxas). The overall atmosphere of the book is mysterious and almost cultish. It kinda got chaotic towards the end, but the ending makes up for it. They’re gay as shit btw

kittykets's review against another edition

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slow-paced

2.75

raj7's review against another edition

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reflective tense

4.75

lilou0922's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

corpsepose's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

emmy_js's review against another edition

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5.0

To say that i enjoyed this book would be an understatement, I simply devoured it and its one that will stay with me for a while. Hesse has novelised the journey for self, truth and desire; following a young sinclair as he grows up, challenging what he thinks is known and embarking to find the truth himself. On many different levels Hesse has captured the experience of growing up and the daunting loneliness that comes with it.
Anyone who grew up within a religious context can attest to the difficulty of trying to find the essence of your religion yourself, detangling what is taught, what you believe and how that fits with your place in the world. More so, growing up queer. Intentional or not but Hesse has explored exactly that. We follow sinclair as he grapples with the growing difference of his 'perfect' inner world and how his growing life experience challenges the expectations and perceptions his family and himself expect. These growing pains only worsen when he becomes entangled with the character Demian. Demian is mysterious, beautiful and frightening. He challenges everything Sinclair thinks he knows and although great pains are taken to ignore his growing feelings. When demian disappears from his life sinclair is devastated.
The relationship between Demian and Sinclair and eventually Sinclair and Pistorius are remnisct of one grappling with homosexuality within the midsts of a religion damning such feelings. The relationship between sinclair and both of these characters are tender, deep and intangible. They transcend what is expected between male friendships. These characters challenge sinclairs perceptions of religion, morality and desire.
Ultimately, Demian is a novel of self-exploration.