Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
27(27%)
4 stars
37(37%)
3 stars
36(36%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
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Simple yet so powerful.

This statement truly encapsulates the essence of what lies within the 116 mesmerizing pages of this work.

Each page seems to hold a world of its own, drawing the reader in with its captivating content.

It is not just a book to be casually flipped through; it is a must-read that demands your full attention.

The simplicity of the language belies the depth of the ideas and emotions it conveys.

As you turn the pages, you will find yourself immersed in a journey of discovery, enlightenment, and inspiration.

Whether you are seeking knowledge, entertainment, or a moment of escape, this work has something to offer.

So, don't hesitate. Pick up this book and prepare to be amazed by its power and beauty.

It is a reading experience that you will not soon forget.
July 15,2025
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The truth is that it took me more than I expected to finish the book. I really liked how it addressed some political, moral, and even sexual themes in a philosophical way. Although that was what made me take my time reading it in order to fully understand the book, I was fascinated by the ability to find the meaning of the words.


The author's exploration of these complex topics through a philosophical lens added a layer of depth and thought-provoking analysis that I found truly engaging. It made me reflect on my own beliefs and values, and challenged me to consider different perspectives.


Despite the initial difficulty in understanding some of the concepts, the effort was well worth it. The book opened my eyes to new ideas and ways of thinking, and I will definitely be recommending it to others. Overall, it was a rewarding reading experience that I will not soon forget.

July 15,2025
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This is one of those books that you pick up with a glimmer of hope

hoping that all the loose ends will neatly tie together by the final page. However, that's not exactly how it pans out.

I believe the core of this book lies in the journey of self-discovery and confronting those aspects of ourselves that we tend to suppress.

It did manage to introduce me to several novel concepts within the realms of philosophy, psychology, and religion.

Nevertheless, I can't say that I wholeheartedly concur with every single word or action described within its pages.

There are certain ideas that seem a bit far-fetched or perhaps not entirely in line with my own beliefs and perspectives.

Nonetheless, it has sparked some interesting thoughts and discussions within me, which I suppose is the mark of a thought-provoking read.

Despite its flaws, this book has still managed to offer some valuable insights and food for thought.

It makes me question my own beliefs and assumptions, and encourages me to look deeper within myself.

In the end, while it may not have been the perfect read I was hoping for, it has still left an impression and contributed to my intellectual growth.
July 15,2025
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The book "Demian" by Hermann Hesse is a work that has sparked significant controversy due to its intriguing techniques.

It is a challenging read, and following along can be difficult because of Hesse's rather unconventional writing style. The story structure lacks organization, leaving the reader in a state of confusion.

The book presents competing ideals about religion within the context of a single man's journey through life. Sinclair is a lost child who faces numerous struggles throughout his life and ultimately depends on Demian. Demian is a strange character, seemingly omniscient about Sinclair, regardless of the length of their separation. Demian's mother, Eva, is similar to Demian, and they treat Sinclair as if they have been anticipating his arrival their entire lives. In the end, Sinclair falls in love with his best friend's mother. Hesse employs a great deal of biblical and religious comparisons in a story that appears to be contrary to what religion teaches. The overall organization of the story is subpar.

In summary, Hermann Hesse was regarded as an odd author when this book was written, perhaps due to the passage of time. The structure is highly disorganized, making it arduous for the reader to keep up. The way he塑造 his characters does not conform to the norms of everyday life. It is likely to be one of the most perplexing and disorganized books one will encounter.
July 15,2025
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I quite liked the relationship between Sinclair and Demian in general.

It seemed good to me. Sinclair was a young and impressionable boy who was searching for his true self. Demian, on the other hand, was a mysterious and older figure who seemed to have all the answers. Their interactions were filled with deep conversations and meaningful glances.

Demian took Sinclair under his wing and guided him through the confusing and often painful process of growing up. He taught Sinclair to question the norms and values of society and to trust his own instincts.

Sinclair, in turn, looked up to Demian with admiration and respect. Their relationship was not without its challenges, but it was ultimately a positive and life-changing experience for both of them.

Overall, I thought the relationship between Sinclair and Demian was one of the most interesting aspects of the story. It added depth and complexity to the characters and made the reader invested in their journey.
July 15,2025
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Demian will always be my favorite book by Hermann Hesse. It represents so much of me that it scares and surprises me to read it.

This novel takes the reader on a profound journey of self-discovery. The protagonist, Emil Sinclair, navigates the complex and often confusing world of adolescence, grappling with questions of identity, morality, and the meaning of life.

Through his encounters with the mysterious and captivating Max Demian, Sinclair begins to uncover his true self and the hidden aspects of his nature.

Hesse's writing is both beautiful and thought-provoking, drawing the reader in and making them reflect on their own lives. The themes explored in Demian are universal and timeless, making it a book that can be read and reread with new insights and understandings each time.

For me, Demian is not just a book, but a companion on my own journey of self-discovery. It has taught me to embrace my individuality, to question the norms and values of society, and to trust in the power of my own intuition.

I will always cherish this book and the impact it has had on my life.
July 15,2025
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This has been one of my more okay reads of the year. That is to say, it's not a bad book in terms of narrative or writing. However, for the Jacqueline of this time, who read this book and made many annotations to understand and question it,

she didn't like it. That's my general view. It's an interesting book, but that's about it.

This, of course, means that the book didn't entirely please me. What really caused me a lot of conflict is that sometimes I judged the book without considering the context in which it was written and created, during World War I. These prejudices that I assigned to the book and my reading are because the ideologies that the characters of Demian and Emil presented don't match my way of thinking and seeing the world. While they talk about

"desire, will, and destiny," I interpret the world in a more

"relative" way. The will of an individual is not everything when (as Guasón would say) we live in a society.

The book teaches and shows that to generate knowledge, it is necessary to live and experience that knowledge, not just stay on the plane of abstraction. Also, not everything is completely bright or completely dark. There are grays, and everything is questionable according to the precepts of the society in which one lives (in this, the book does emphasize a lot, talking about European society). Also, to be reborn or keep advancing, death (ideological or physical) is necessary to be able to be reborn, like, I rise from the ashes, or for childhood to die in order to pass into adulthood. But despite all that is exposed and the definition that there is no good and bad, that is, that there are no extremes, it reflects and argues that the individual is correct and the collective is incorrect. It never manages to generate what would be the fusion of these two. And if it does, it presents Emil and Demian as the chosen ones to guide the "flock" (the mark of Cain, then).

There is this ideological separation of the individual and the collective that is completely impossible to separate.

Another point is that, of course, we are talking about white, European men in the 20th century (I don't say heterosexual because there Emil and Demian were not exactly

"heterosexual heterosexuals"). And of the upper-middle class, their only problems were merely existential that ended up affecting their physical state (it's still serious, but in this roulette of misfortunes, they are quite well, very well). Besides, the female representation is the vaguest thing I've seen. There are never such deep dialogues as with Demian or other male characters. They just tell you that these female characters are there to give Emil another sense of

"transitoriness," and that's it.

It didn't bring me anything completely new. More than that, this book completely dislikes the collective. It should be noted that I understand that it refers to a collective that does not question and is uncritical of its situation as individuals. But it doesn't give good aspects to the collective, only bad ones. It didn't give me those clear-dark aspects that I was looking for and that were presented to me throughout the work. It only presents it as if it were necessary to touch the bottom of the malicious entrails of the collective to be guided to the destiny that one has as an individual. Besides, we are living in a time of quite a lot of individuality (cough, cough, liquid modernity), and it's not the best. Trying to be a completely autonomous individual from society is impossible. As the book says, changes come, and the affected will be the archaic structures. But for me, the solution does not come from the individual as Demian proposes. It comes from recognizing the other, recognizing their problems, and wanting to abolish those structural systems that

"privilege some and forget others."

Finally, it's not a book that I would recommend. It's interesting, but I wanted to tear my eyes out by the end. Many phrases I liked, many others don't match my ideologies, and yet, here I am writing thousands of questions that I had about the book.

"Coherence is not my strength, nor that of the book, but well, kisses."

July 15,2025
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I was just an ordinary young person, and many things could be forgiven. However, as a teenager, I fell in love with this book - perhaps I was a teenager in love when I read it. But soon, I became a dedicated fan of Hesse.

I don't recall a specific detail about the book itself. After all, it was 50 years ago. The world was completely different then.

In those days, life moved at a slower pace, and people had more time to immerse themselves in the written word. This book must have had a special charm that captured my heart and imagination.

Although the memories of the book have faded over time, the impact it had on me remains. It was a formative experience that influenced my love for literature and my understanding of the human condition.

Even now, as I look back on that distant past, I can still feel the excitement and wonder that this book brought to my young life. It was a precious moment that will always be a part of me.
July 15,2025
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At first, I did not understand the theme of the book.

I was quite confused and had no clear idea of what the author was trying to convey.

However, as I delved deeper into the story and finally finished reading it, a profound realization dawned upon me.

I came to understand that the essence of this book lies in the fact that every character within it is able to play out their own unique style.

It is this individuality and the ability of each character to express themselves in their own distinct way that makes this book truly unique.

It shows that in life, just like in the book, everyone has their own way of doing things, their own set of values and characteristics that define them.

This realization not only enhanced my appreciation for the book but also gave me a new perspective on the importance of individuality and self-expression.

July 15,2025
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Demian: 4 ⭐️


Demian is a remarkable literary work that has captivated readers for decades. The story follows the journey of a young man named Emil Sinclair as he navigates the complex and often confusing world of adolescence. Through his encounters with the mysterious Max Demian, Sinclair begins to question the values and beliefs that have been instilled in him by society. The novel explores themes such as self-discovery, identity, and the search for meaning in life. Hermann Hesse's writing is both beautiful and profound, making Demian a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the human psyche.


Siddhartha: 3 ⭐️


Siddhartha is another classic novel by Hermann Hesse. The story tells of a young Brahmin named Siddhartha who leaves his comfortable life in search of enlightenment. Along the way, he meets a variety of people and experiences many different things, including love, loss, and suffering. Through it all, Siddhartha continues to seek the truth and ultimately finds it within himself. While Siddhartha is a well-written and thought-provoking novel, it does not quite reach the same heights as Demian. Some readers may find the pacing a bit slow at times, and the ending may seem a bit abrupt. Overall, however, Siddhartha is still a worthy addition to any bookshelf.
July 15,2025
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Książka nie dla mnie. Początek bardzo dobrze się zapowiadał, co mnie zainteresowało i wzbudził moje oczekiwania. Jednakże, im dalej czytałam, tym gorzej mi się wydawało. Byłoby trudno powiedzieć, że zaangażowałam się w historie Sinclaira. Byłoby po prostu nieprawdziwe. Byłoby trudno mnie uwierzyć, że książka mnie naprawdę wzruszyła lub mnie głęboko zainteresowała. Byłoby nawet trudno powiedzieć, że otrzymałam jakiekolwiek pozytywne wrażenia od niej.


Mimo że początek był promisujący, książka szybko zaczęła się rozchodzić i stracić swój atut. Byłoby trudno znaleźć coś, co mnie przyciągnęło w tej historii. Byłoby trudno powiedzieć, że coś w niej mnie przekonało. Byłoby nawet trudno powiedzieć, że książka była dla mnie cokolwiek poza zły wybór.

July 15,2025
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Kuş yumurtadan çıkmak için savaş veriyor. Yumurta dünyadır. Doğmak isteyen, bir dünyayı yok etmek zorundadır.


Approximately 3 years ago, I read this and was amazed. Then I gave it to a classmate to read but couldn't get it back and the book was gone. Recently, while wandering in a bookstore, I found a 1997 edition with notes and underlined parts, and I bought it immediately and read it that day. The fact that it was published in the year I was born, and the notes and underlined parts written by the previous owner made me read the book again and I loved it even more! Demian always comes into my hands at the time I need it most and I'm grateful for that!

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