Emil really likes Demian.

It's a feeling that seems to run deep within him.

So much so that he even mentioned that he was lacking a pen to underline his affection.

This simple statement perhaps holds a world of meaning.

Maybe it implies that his feelings for Demian are so intense that he wants to emphasize them, make them stand out.

It could also suggest that he is so preoccupied with his emotions that he is thinking about ways to express them more vividly.

Whatever the case may be, it's clear that Emil's liking for Demian is not just a passing fancy.

It's something that has captured his attention and his heart.

And perhaps, in time, he will find the perfect way to show Demian just how much he means to him.

Reading Demian was an absolute emotional rollercoaster. It was filled with esoteric epiphanies that seemed to shatter my very essence with each turn of the page. The existential dread and retrospection that I experienced while delving into this novel were truly boundless. As I journeyed through the story, I found myself constantly debriefing my inner Abraxas, that mysterious and powerful force within. And of course, I couldn't forget my own personal Max Demian, the guiding figure who led me through the turmoil of self-discovery. This book has truly had a profound impact on me, making me question everything I thought I knew about myself and the world around me.

I recently read a really weird book.

At first glance, it seemed rather strange and perhaps a bit off-putting.

However, as I delved deeper into its pages, something unexpected happened.

It started to make me think about life in ways I never had before.

The unique perspectives and ideas presented in the book challenged my assumptions and made me question the way I view the world.

It was a truly eye-opening experience.

Even though the book was weird, it had a profound impact on me.

It made me realize that sometimes, the most unexpected things can lead to the greatest insights.

I'm grateful for having read this book, as it has given me a newfound appreciation for the power of literature to make us think and grow.

Overall, it was a strange but ultimately rewarding read that I will not soon forget.

The book is written in a fascinating manner. The author, Hermann Hesse, assumes the role of the protagonist, Sinclair, and composes the novel in the form of a bibliography. Back when his name wasn't on the cover, I can see why this book became such a huge success. It narrates the story of a boy who was oblivious to the world's truths, trapped in his black and white beliefs. However, after meeting numerous mentors and constantly teetering on the verge of succumbing to his inner darkness, Sinclair discovers that the answers he seeks are concealed within himself.

Although this book offers some inspiration, my overall view of it is rather divided. For instance, there are several star-crossed lovers throughout the book. One of Sinclair's very close friends, Demian, and his mom, Eva, are among them. Sinclair is clearly in love with Demian's mom, and she even encourages him to act on his desires. But beyond this, Sinclair's relationship with Demian and Eva doesn't seem realistic. Eva behaves almost god-like when she tells Sinclair that she has "been waiting for him" at their very first encounter and then proceeds to take him in as a beloved follower. However, the possibility that Eva and Demian are a creation of Sinclair's internal mind makes all these encounters even more intriguing. Whether their relationship is a disturbing love triangle or a figment of his imagination is for you to determine.

For those who打算阅读这本书, I would like to mention that each chapter's title is based on a Bible reference, so it is clearly intended to be perceived as religious. But even if you have limited or no knowledge of the Bible, this book has many lessons that you can learn from otherwise.

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The most important and impactful book of my life is Demian.

When I was 18, I read this book, and it had a profound influence on my growth as an adolescent, completely changing and shifting my perspective on life.

Even 15 years later, reading it today, it still remains incredibly beautiful, poignant, and transformative.

If you haven't read this book yet, I highly suggest you do. It shows us how life, meaning, and values should be pursued, and what coming of age and self-discovery truly represent.

It's like a beautiful rare bird that struggles to come out of its egg, destroying the old life to create a new one.

We all must have the courage to kill our gods and idols in order to become who we are truly meant to be.

This book is a masterpiece that has the power to inspire and change lives.

Too much dark introspection with little story. Couldn't finish it. This refers to Demian only. It seems that the narrative in Demian leans too heavily on deep and often dark self-reflection. The story, while having its moments, struggles to maintain a balanced and engaging flow. The excessive focus on introspection can make it feel a bit one-sided and perhaps even a bit tiresome for the reader. There is a lack of a more dynamic and multifaceted story arc to keep the interest piqued throughout. It's as if the author got so caught up in exploring the inner psyche of the characters that the overall plot suffered. As a result, it becomes a challenge to get through the entire work, and one is left with the feeling that there could have been a better blend of story and introspection to create a more satisfying reading experience.

The book was mysteriously intriguing.

I think I still don't understand everything, but Frau Eva was really something special.

From the moment I picked up the book, I was drawn into its pages. The story seemed to unfold in a way that kept me on the edge of my seat, constantly guessing what would happen next.

As for Frau Eva, she was a character who added an extra layer of mystery to the whole thing. There was something about her that made me want to know more.

Maybe it was her confident demeanor or the way she carried herself.

Whatever it was, she definitely made an impression on me.

I can't wait to see how the story continues and what other secrets it has in store.

3.5 - Only Reviewing Demian

Demian is a remarkable literary work that has captured the hearts and minds of readers for decades. It delves deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of self-discovery, identity, and the search for meaning in life. The story follows the protagonist, Emil Sinclair, as he embarks on a journey of personal growth and transformation.

One of the most captivating aspects of Demian is its exploration of the shadow self. The author, Hermann Hesse, presents the idea that within each of us lies a hidden, darker side that we must come to terms with in order to achieve true self-actualization. This concept is both thought-provoking and relatable, as it forces readers to confront their own inner demons.

Another strength of Demian is its beautiful prose. Hesse's writing is rich and descriptive, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind. His use of language creates a sense of atmosphere and mood that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged from beginning to end.

In conclusion, Demian is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the depths of the human soul. It is a powerful and moving work that will leave a lasting impression on its readers.

This is a review specifically for Demian. Siddhartha is a book that I truly like and I have rated it separately on Goodreads. One of my students wanted to read Demian to discuss it in class, and I managed to find it for only 50 cents on my Kindle.

To be honest, I didn't really like Demian very much. I found it to be too vague and filled with a sense of magic. Nothing in it really struck a chord with me. Telepathy, reading minds, and controlling others' actions? The idea that "However, one can study someone very closely and then one can often know almost exactly what he thinks or feels and then one can also anticipate what he will do the next moment. It's simple enough, only people don't know it" didn't really convince me.

There is a significant amount of discussion about the mark of Cain, but it was never very clear what it truly means. It seems to be invisible to most and only visible to some, like how Demian can see it on Sinclair, our narrator. The statement "We who bore the mark might well be considered by the rest of the world as strange, even as insane and dangerous. We had awoken, or were awakening, and we were striving for an ever perfect state of wakefulness..." left me with more questions than answers.

They are establishing a new religion that combines the "evil" and the "good" realms. However, I don't fully accept the notion that drinking and smoking are evils of the world. It didn't persuade me in the slightest, and it was unclear what good and evil really are. Let's conclude with one more quote: “That which is within you and directs your life knows already. It’s good to realize that within us there is someone who knows everything, wills everything, does everything better than we ourselves.” My takeaway from all of this was perhaps... be true to yourself? But even that was a bit of a stretch.

Overall, Demian didn't live up to my expectations and left me feeling rather unsatisfied.

I’m not quite sure what the appeal of this novel is, to be honest.

If this was written as a psychological argument, it falls flat, albeit the field of psychology has grown a lot a century later.

While Demian attempts to convince Sinclair that Cain is powerful, it’s not very convincing nor compelling.

After all, Cain was forced to wander for the rest of his life — which is not power.

I really tried to hold onto it until the end, expecting the jigsaw stream of consciousness to click together in the end.

But ultimately, it fell flat and I didn’t learn anything new.

Basically, it’s Bible fanfiction where Sinclair wrestles with his inner “Demians”.

At first, it seems insightful, but upon closer inspection, it’s not much more than dubious psychological and Biblical rationale.

The story fails to engage the reader on a deeper level and leaves one feeling disappointed.

Perhaps it would have been more interesting if the author had explored the psychological aspects in a more profound and believable way.

As it stands, it’s just a mediocre attempt at a novel that doesn’t quite hit the mark.

Honestly speaking, I really didn't expect to encounter a fable about a young Brahmin named Siddhartha among the works of Hermann Hesse, who intended to dedicate his life to the search for Atman (the supreme "I"). In terms of the narrative manner and style, this work is completely different from other works of Hesse that I have come across. I could easily mistake it for an ancient Indian fable - such a good job Hesse did in conveying the style of narration and the atmosphere of storytelling.

However, despite all this, one of the favorite themes of the German writer - complex, multi-faceted personalities - is still clearly discernible in the fable. In his search, Siddhartha goes through a series of metamorphoses, trying on the most diverse guises: Brahmin, ascetic, bourgeois, ferryman, and many others. Each of these roles reveals new aspects of the world order to Siddhartha. To be honest, I can't say that the fable particularly tunes one into philosophical reflections, but still interesting thoughts are found in it (especially in the first half of it, dedicated to the young Siddhartha-Brahmin and the samana). For example, I found the reflection on the role of the teacher in the process of self-awareness and the importance of personal experience very interesting.

I think that this novel-fable will appeal to those who are interested in Indian culture, and to the others, I still recommend reading "Steppenwolf" first. The final rating: 3+.