Demian

I read this wonderful coming-of-age tale when I was in my teens, but its magical mood remained with me ever since.

Reading the story of Emil Sinclair meeting the enigmatic Demian at school–who not only freed him from bullies but showed him that there was another world usually invisible to the common senses–set me on a life-long journey in search of the miraculous. 

This book lived in the back pocket of my Levi’s, then later in my military fatigues, for many years.

Although I first read it in the 1960s, I can still remember with near-perfect recitation Max Demian’s remark: “I wanted only to live in accord with the promptings which came from my true self. Why was that so very difficult?” It became my lifelong guide to being different in a world constantly demanding conformity. My nonconformity got me into loads of trouble in the military, but it also kept me sane.

Some years later, my mentor described our affliction as the… show more.