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lilou0922's review against another edition
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
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
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.
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.
lorolemman's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.0
mugwumpun's review against another edition
5.0
I think it was this book that delve into the duality theme that's in so much of Hesse's writing.
blertaa's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
alexey_wish's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.75
michinio's review against another edition
4.0
მშვენიერი რამეა, უბრალოდ აშკარად ასე 20-25 წლით დავაგვიანე წაკითხვა, თორემ იქნებოდა წიგნი, რომელმაც ცხოვრება შეცვალა... ასე რომ, 20 წლამდე თუ ხართ ვინმე, დაანებეთ თავი 'თამაშს ჭვავის ყანაში' და სასწრაფოდ აიღეთ 'დემიანი'. 25-მდეც შეიძლება ისევე მოიტანოს, გააჩნია ადამიანს
phoenix2's review against another edition
4.0
“The bird fights its way out of the egg. The egg is the world. Who would be born must first destroy a world. The bird flies to God. That God's name is Abraxas.”
For a book full of philoshophical meanings, Demian was quite understandable. The author did a great job to present his character's thinking and feelings, and even the transition from a boy to a man. Okay, so Demian is a book about growing up, finding oneself and one's place and role in the society. The young boy of the book combines only to his family's world, though he feels the need to rebel and reach the world of darkness, the one that exhisted outside his house and his family's morals. He gets the opportunity from Demian, an older schoolmate, who guides his through life and help's him understand the dreams that he is having, which result to his true destiny.
Apart from the meanings this book passes through, the story is very good, with a fast pace plot and relatable characters. You can easily identify with Sinclair, as he expresses everyone's anxieties and confusion while growing up and passing from childhood to adulthood. The writing is very good as well, understandable and doesn't tire the reader. Overall, a great book, so 4 out of 5.
P.S.
Okay, I confess I've read this one to help me figure out BTS's MVs. I mean look at this:
Now I'm more confused...
For a book full of philoshophical meanings, Demian was quite understandable. The author did a great job to present his character's thinking and feelings, and even the transition from a boy to a man. Okay, so Demian is a book about growing up, finding oneself and one's place and role in the society. The young boy of the book combines only to his family's world, though he feels the need to rebel and reach the world of darkness, the one that exhisted outside his house and his family's morals. He gets the opportunity from Demian, an older schoolmate, who guides his through life and help's him understand the dreams that he is having, which result to his true destiny.
Apart from the meanings this book passes through, the story is very good, with a fast pace plot and relatable characters. You can easily identify with Sinclair, as he expresses everyone's anxieties and confusion while growing up and passing from childhood to adulthood. The writing is very good as well, understandable and doesn't tire the reader. Overall, a great book, so 4 out of 5.
P.S.
Okay, I confess I've read this one to help me figure out BTS's MVs. I mean look at this:
Now I'm more confused...