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Demian: The Story of a Youth Paperback – May 18, 2011

by Hermann Hesse (Author), Thomas Mann (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,662 ratings
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2011 Reprint of 1948 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. The main character of this classic novel, Emil Sinclair, is a young boy raised in a bourgeois home, amidst what is described as a Scheinwelt, a play on words that means "world of light" as well as "world of illusion". Emil's entire existence can be summarized as a struggle between two worlds: the show world of illusion (related to the Hindu concept of maya) and the real world, the world of spiritual truth. In the course of the novel, accompanied and prompted by his mysterious classmate 'Max Demian', he detaches from and revolts against the superficial ideals of the world of appearances and eventually awakens into a realization of self. The novel refers to the idea of Gnosticism, particularly the god Abraxas, showing the influence of Carl Jung's psychology. According to Hesse, the novel is a story of Jungian individuation, the process of opening up to one's unconsciousness.
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  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    May 18, 2011
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.56 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1614270260
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1614270263
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Martino Fine Books (May 18, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1614270260
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1614270263
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.56 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,662 ratings

About the author

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Hermann Hesse

Hermann Hesse

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Hermann Hesse (1877-1962) was born in Germany and later became a citizen of Switzerland. As a Western man profoundly affected by the mysticism of Eastern thought, he wrote many novels, stories, and essays that bear a vital spiritual force that has captured the imagination and loyalty of many generations of readers. In 1946, he won the Nobel Prize for Literature for The Glass Bead Game.

Photo by unknown [Dutch National Archives, The Hague, Fotocollectie Algemeen Nederlands Persbureau (ANEFO), 1945-1989 / Public Domain] [CC BY-SA 3.0 nl (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/nl/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
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Top reviews from the United States

Clea
5.0 out of 5 stars A Book Everyone Should Read
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2023
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Absolutely beautiful story about religious trauma, breaking out of the shell that is the sheltered world of childhood, finding love and acceptance, friendship and sexuality, and overall navigating the road that leads you back to yourself. Such an important book, especially if you’re going through a hard time and or trying to understand yourself in relation to the world and the people around you. This was beautifully translated and I personally like the formatting of it. Please read if you haven’t already. Herman Hesse is a revolutionary of his time
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Ryan Watson
5.0 out of 5 stars Hesse's Best Work
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2024
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If you are looking for a Hessean piece that has a touch more character development than Siddhartha, this is the piece. The story and plot itself is thoroughly compelling, and spiritual aspects of the piece make it more than worthwhile.
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priti
5.0 out of 5 stars demian by Hermann Hesse
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2014
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This book is an enchanting piece of work . Crafted like an autobiography , it's an introduction to a new philosophy of life , just like Ayn Rand,s works - quite original whether one agrees with it totally or not . This book takes us thru the journey of protagonist Sinclair through his childhood to youth ; led by a compelling desire to identify and live by the calling of his true inner self . He questions existing ethos, ideals, way of life , even Gods - and finds as though by destiny the guides who reaffirm his views and lead him to his destiny . Demian is one of the guides who Sinclair feels irresistible attracted to from the time they first met in school , till the end when they both merge into each other and symbolically become one. Author contests several of the strongly held views of early 19th century society in Europe . Religion is a constant theme throughout and it's dealt with rather beautifully . Christianity is not condemned out rightly nor is any other religion or cult . There is unlimited freedom to choose what one wants to be , what one wants to think and do ; only right thing being true to oneself and ones innermost urges. Morals, guilt, sin, sex all those things that caused conflict have been dealt with single minded belief in the fact that one must question the myths , one must follow what his destiny directs him to without a care if it's right or wrong . Aithor suggests that collective unconscious - all the knowledge that exists in this world is within each one of us . The whole world that we see outside , with it's beauty and ugliness is inside us . The world , mankind , all the living creatures are in constant state of evolution and change and evolution is the only constant . Human beings in their ignorance live in happy pasts and want to preserve the status quo at any cost . They are afraid of change , afraid of looking inwards and finding their true calling . That's because each one of us has a unique destiny to fulfill and if one was to choose that he has to do it alone . That goes against the feeling of security the society and community provides , which lures men to give up their destinies and join the herd . There are a few , those who feel compelled to find the purpose of life . These people do not resist new ideas , change but just submit themselves to the destiny and become the instruments of fate . These are the people through which change is carried forwards , like baby in the wombs of fertile mother . Author has used a lot of symbolism throughout the story . Damien , the lifelong guide of protagonist is ageless , constant and self assured - just like the eternal truth . Young boy Sinclair feels torn between the two world one of which is the all good family and another dark world where all the evils like theft, alcohol , murder , sex took place . He constantly flits back and forth into these symbolic worlds, trying to find his anchoring . At every tough turn when life seems to come crashing down he finds a person , a dream , a symbol that opens a new vista in front of him and leads him . Hero also swings between the extremes of love - desire for flesh vs pure spiritual love . He fall in love with an image that combines his mother and his guide Demian ; man and woman ; good and evil . And then quite symbolically that image turns out to be that of Demian.s mother. No love is forbidden if that's what is one,s innermost feeling dictates . Keeping with the mores of 19th century society everything is made symbolical but it's evident that author delves into bisexuality , incest and Oedipal complex. So why is the book named Demian ? Who is he ? Demian is the inner voice of every man . The inner voice that finds us at every difficult step and guides us to our unique destiny . Sinclair found Demian and they merged into each other symbolically as well - when Sinclaire went inside himself and looked into the dark mirror of his soul and Saw the image of Demian .

The setting of this book precedes world war 1 . As the war starts people submit themselves to their destiny and fight . Author has a very interesting view about war itself . War is symbolised as an instrument of change , something predestined and essential . The recurring symbol of bird hatching from egg and destroying the egg in the process is used to convey the message that for something new to be born the old must be destroyed .

Early 19 century Europe was home to many new ideologies like those of Tolstoy and Neitszke . Herman Hesse had his own and it is quite appealing .
49 people found this helpful
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Kai
4.0 out of 5 stars Really Good.
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2017
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I ordered this book a few months ago, because of BTS and I am so glad I did, because it is an amazing book. The book isn't too long, so even those who aren't big fans of reading are able to do so. However, there are some big words within the book that you may have to Google the definition of. The book is relatively cheap, so it's a good buy. The story line of this book keeps you wondering and keeps you wanting to read more.

The book takes place in Germany, around the first half of the 1900s. The story follows a boy named Sinclair who starts off as a smart, innocent little kid, and it basically follows him throughout his life. It includes him falling into temptation and falling away from tranquility and sameness. It begins as he is caught in a lie, that's where his life kind of flips upside down.

If you listen to BTS, you will notice a lot of little references within the book that correspond to the WINGS short films. This makes the book that much more interesting because you try to connect each chapter and its details with the little things that some may overlook in the WINGS videos. It's also easier to understand the fan theories if you read this book.

If you have never listened to BTS or don't know who that is, this is still a good book for you. It keeps you guessing. I'm usually the person who can figure out the ending of a book/movie before it ends; Not this book. This is one of those books that gets you thinking about yourself and about life. So I would 10/10 recommend you to read this book.
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daisy
5.0 out of 5 stars Slow burn, religious beliefs and herons
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2022
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Like said in the head-line, it's just a central topic of the story.

It starts off slow in the beginning since it's a retelling perspective as when he was younger, to when Sinclair is then older. As much as how many times I need to say it, you have to keep reading towards the end. Personally, the ending kinda made up for the beginning but it was overall, a great read. I would re-read again.
2 people found this helpful
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Izzy
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Gift
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2023
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My man absolutely loved the quality of the book, he was so happy to have it
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Bruce V. Gonka
5.0 out of 5 stars Surprise twists and turns. Almost timeless
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2021
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The author has a way with words that it keeps you mesmerized throughout the book. Timeless in nature although it takes place ages ago. I could see myself walking the streets, having a wine, getting into trouble with the wrong person and having that other friend that your glad you have but wish you didn’t. Several times I expected one thing to happen and, well, loved the beginning middle and end. I thank my daughter who wanted to read this. I guess it’s popular with certain music groups. I have read steppenwolf and this by far is as good or better
2 people found this helpful
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Yi
3.0 out of 5 stars 1 inch margins
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2023
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I can't stand this print out.
I inch margins, making the book bigger than it needed to be.
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Yi
3.0 out of 5 stars 1 inch margins
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2023
I can't stand this print out.
I inch margins, making the book bigger than it needed to be.
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2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente calidad!
Reviewed in Mexico on May 7, 2022
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El libro está en perfectas condiciones. Tiene buen tamaño, la imprenta es muy buena y es mas grande de lo que parece. Super recomendado, excelente relación calidad /precio.
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Ilona
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 11, 2024
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I love this book. It’s a must read.
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Cass
5.0 out of 5 stars Approvato
Reviewed in Italy on January 3, 2021
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Arrivato in buone condizioni, un angolo era un pochino pieghettato ma bel libro. Preso per un regalo, e la persona ne è stata davvero felice. Inoltre libro interessante e bello.
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Marco_
5.0 out of 5 stars Demian ótimo
Reviewed in Brazil on August 12, 2019
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Adoro Herman Hesse
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Clo from Canada
5.0 out of 5 stars Very very interesting book
Reviewed in Canada on November 1, 2018
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Hermann Hesse's books are subtle and riveting. When you penetrate into this genius' writing world, you will never forget it. Because Hesse's world leaves its prints on your soul. You cannot help to question life and its many different paths offered to each one of us, human being. Great writer. Siddhartha is an unforgettable little jewel. Books that you will cherish forever and read over and over. Thank you Mr Hesse for your imprint of my heart and soul. Clo
3 people found this helpful
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