Demian tells the story of Emil Sinclair's transition from childhood to adulthood. It all begins with an incident that distresses Emil and marks the loss of his innocence. It is then that he meets Max Demian, the character who gives the book its name, and who becomes his guide and companion in questioning the imposed and in personal introspection. During this time, we see the internal struggle that Emil presents regarding the "light" or good and the "darkness" representing evil, forming part of the duality of the human being.
Although the story is entertaining, the book uses certain philosophical resources, so at certain moments it can be dense. In addition, it caught my attention that in the story some of the archetypes developed by Carl Jung can be seen.
I liked that the author addressed themes regarding youth and the search for a path. I don't think there is a specific age to read it. I feel that it can be read at various times in life and the meaning can change. However, I would have liked to read it much earlier. I want to read it again because probably I missed several things. If you ever read it, talk to me to discuss it!
Finally, to be honest, I started reading this book because of BTS, since their album WINGS is inspired by the novel. So if you liked this book and want to complement it, I 100% recommend checking out the album.
Bonus mini spoiler: Was Max Demian real?
A thoughtful and thought-provoking self-exploration journey unfolds, along with the coming-of-age story of Sinclair. Guided by his mysterious friend Max Demian, Sinclair delves deep within himself, accepting both the good and evil within. He walks towards his destiny, prompted by the inner voice that Demian helps him discover.
This story is all about the search for one's true self. By looking into the heart, Sinclair sees his dreams and desires, without distinguishing them as good or bad, right or wrong. Instead, he pursues his true destiny, unencumbered by the constraints of conventional morality.
Readers can follow Sinclair's journey from a third perspective, or extract the messages hidden between the lines and reflect on their own perspectives. However, due to my own philosophical and knowledge limitations, I struggled to fully understand the final few pages. The relationship between the global situation and the inner journey seemed complex and perhaps beyond my current comprehension.
Nevertheless, this is definitely an interesting read that challenges the reader to question their own beliefs and values, and to embark on their own self-discovery journey.