Reviews

Estaba loco, como todo creador. Pero en la locura de la creación, hacía con la sensatez infalible de un sonámbulo todo lo que su obra exigía. Sentía confiado que, en ese cruel combate por su retrato, no sólo ejecutaba el destino y el balance de un individuo, sino de lo humano, general y necesario. Ya no había miedo ni huida, sólo tirar adelante invulnerable, vencer y perecer. Y él venció, y pereció, y sufrió, y rió, y capeó el temporal, mató y murió, alumbró y fue alumbrado.

mesocricetus's review against another edition

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challenging medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

"Then you looked to the bottom of it and saw no sigh of love in it, as you found no sign of love when you looked to the bottom of your own heart. There was only greed for living and dread, and out of dread, out of stupid childish dread of the cold, of loneliness, of death, two people fled to one another, kissed, embraced, rubbed cheek to cheek, put leg to leg, cast new human beings into the world. That was how it was." (Klein and Wagner, p.96)

"For you the love that Klingsor has to give away between a day full of work and a night full of red wine is not enough." (Klingsor's Last Summer, p. 127)

"He ate and clinked his glass with the others; he talked gaily in a high voice; and behind it all the apparatus of his workshop operated." (127)

aubergenie_'s review against another edition

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reflective fast-paced

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

3.5

jabnj's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

lucawch's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

jimmypat's review against another edition

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2.0

This is the 23rd book in series that I am calling “quarantine life.” With all of our public libraries closed due to the corona virus, I have turned to my own bookshelves to find books to read. This may be the last, as our libraries have opened up.

I can see why Hesse was popular in the 60s with young people; he writes about what he sees as the dual nature in man... moralistic living versus “doing your own thing.” Hesse’s characters struggles with this duality and always avoid the simple and mature route and dive deep into their own needs and concerns. At best, Hesse’s philosophy is juvenile... at worst, satanic.

I got through the first two stories and couldn’t be bothered to finish the story that the book is named for. Too much navel gazing and relativism for me. I wouldn’t say this is complete garbage, as Hesse can write, but it isn’t enriching. He is an author I should have left to my youth.

luwae's review

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reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.5

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