A breezy compilation of light fantasy stories emerges from a usually heavy-handed spiritual seeker. In comparison to Hesse's other works, most of these tales seem underdeveloped (quite possibly on purpose). I concur with Hesse (and numerous others) regarding the cultural importance of fairy/folk tales. However, it's challenging to create short versions that don't come across as trivial.

The standouts are the quietly potent Jesus-like allegory "Hannes," "The Painter," "Bird," and "Two Children's Stories." I also closely related to the first of his "Nocturnal Games," as it's an anxiety dream I've experienced multiple times myself. What many of the finest stories in the collection share is their strong autobiographical nature. "Two Children's Stories" specifically provides captivating insights into Hesse's personal life and thought process. "Bird" is perhaps the most complete story, incorporating references to various other stories and works like "Klingsor's Last Summer," "Pictor's Metamorphoses," and Journey to the East. This, along with biting social satire.

Another aspect I appreciated about the collection is that it chronicles Hesse's growth as an author, as the stories are presented in chronological order, with some dating back even before his adulthood. His evolution is intriguing to dedicated fans like me.

Overall, I would recommend this collection solely to Hesse aficionados. A superior, more refined collection of stories, some of which are also fantastical, would be Strange News from Another Star (see my review). This is where I would begin if you're interested in Hesse's short works.

Not Bad Reviews

@pointblaek

A Soothing Fairy Tale: A Pleasant Welcome into Hermann Hesse's Mind and Soul

Hermann Hesse's works are like a magical gateway that transports readers into a world of wonder and introspection. His stories are not just ordinary tales but rather profound explorations of the human psyche.

One such work is a particular fairy tale that has the power to soothe and calm the reader's spirit. It is a gentle invitation to step into Hesse's mind and soul, to experience the emotions and thoughts that he so skillfully weaves into his narrative.

As we read this fairy tale, we are drawn into a world of vivid imagery and enchanting characters. The story unfolds like a beautiful tapestry, with each thread adding to the overall richness and depth of the tale. We are taken on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment, as we witness the characters' growth and transformation.

In conclusion, Hermann Hesse's fairy tale is a truly remarkable piece of literature that offers a pleasant welcome into his mind and soul. It is a work that will leave readers feeling inspired, uplifted, and with a newfound appreciation for the power of storytelling.

A book that contains the illustrations and the story "Transformations", several poems and a postscript that tells part of Hesse's life, including excerpts from letters, including one in which Hesse himself attests to the genius of Mr. Jung with whom he consulted quite a bit during the time of writing "Siddhartha" and this dual story about Piktor.

This book offers a rich and diverse collection of works. The illustrations bring the stories and poems to life, adding a visual dimension to the literary experience. The poems explore various themes and emotions,展现ing Hesse's poetic talent and depth of thought.

The postscript provides a fascinating insight into Hesse's personal life and his relationship with Mr. Jung. The excerpts from letters offer a glimpse into his creative process and the influence that Jung had on his work. Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of Hesse and anyone interested in literature, art, and psychology.

Hesse delved profoundly into the human soul and skillfully utilized his remarkable language prowess to depict the景象 he witnessed there. The majority of these fables serve as allegories for something far greater than what is explicitly described. The story titled Bird left the most indelible impression on me. While all the others embody the essence of Hesse, I believe that most of them held the greatest sentimental value for him on a personal level.

I have perused other short stories that incorporate higher metaphysical allegories, yet the vast majority of these tales lacked the necessary metaphysical depth.

Here are the finest excerpts that I relished the most:

"Everything must pass through the brain, everything must be grasped and measured. You subject things to tests; you assess yourself,探寻 the boundaries of your talents; you make yourself the experimental subject, and ultimately, you realize—alas, too late—that you have left the better part of yourself and your art far behind, within the often-ridiculed, subconscious impulses and emotions of early youth. Now you are reaching out to embrace the sunken Isle of Innocence; but you no longer do so at the wholehearted and heedless urging of deeply felt sorrow. No—even this gesture is self-conscious, premeditated, a pose."

"To climb mountains, to play my fiddle, to pursue girls, to accept whatever life—whatever each day—has to offer; I want to wait for my poems to come to me, rather than breathlessly and anxiously hunting them down."

"The most supreme, the most eternal words of the great poets seem—even to me—but the babblings of a dreamer who, unknowingly, murmurs through heavy lips of the heights of the world beyond, heights he has only fleetingly glimpsed."

"That the Good and the Beautiful are not two distinct principles; rather, they are the daughters of the one principle: Truth. The two only appear as separate, hostile mountaintops—deep within the womb of the earth, they are one and the same."

"Have you seen God? And what has He told you?" the people inquired. And he opened his eyes and replied to them: "This is what He told me: 'Get you hence and die for your town, as I have died for the world.'"

"For man, however, everything is divine, teeming with meaning, everything is a symbol. Everything signifies something else, something entirely different from what it is."

"It is conceivable, or rather, imaginable that this Jakob was a genius who from an early age felt himself to be very different, striving for an abnormal degree of individuality, dreaming of accomplishments, achievements, and honors which were unknown in jackdaw life and the jackdaw tribe, and thus he became an outsider and loner who, like the young man in Schiller’s poem,* shunned the coarse company of his companions and wandered about by himself until through some fortunate chance the world opened for him a door to the realm of beauty, art, and fame, about which all young geniuses have dreamed since time immemorial."

Hesse fans are sure to delight in these short stories, fables, and fantasies. However, non-Hesse fans may find them either difficult to comprehend or too fanciful to bother with.

The hardcover edition (and perhaps the paperback as well) contains the original transcript of Pictor's Metamorphoses, which was written by Mr. Hesse when he was very young. It also features some remarkable art work created by the author himself.

I found the first story in the book (which is not the title story) to be interesting to read, but its meaning was rather obscure. The prose, in certain places, is truly wonderful, but the story wanders so much that its ambiguity becomes tiresome after a while.

The other stories are more easily digestible. And once again, Hesse fans will relish the psychological playfulness that Hesse is so adept at.

This book is not on par with Siddhartha, Demian, or my personal favorite, Steppenwolf. For one thing, it is a collection of short stories rather than a novel, and thus, due to its limited length, it cannot explore the deep and often dark recesses of the human psyche as Hesse does in his novels. Nevertheless, Hesse fans will most definitely want to include this book in their collection.

Eine sehr schönes kurzes Märchen mit versteckter aber dennoch toller Moral!

This is a truly beautiful short fairy tale that has a hidden yet amazing moral. It takes the reader on a magical journey, filled with interesting characters and unexpected twists. The story is simple enough for children to understand, yet complex enough to engage adults as well.

The moral of the story is not immediately obvious, but as you read on, it gradually reveals itself. It teaches us an important lesson about life, love, and the importance of being true to ourselves. The tale is a reminder that sometimes, the things we think we want the most are not really what we need.

Overall, this is a wonderful little fairy tale that is sure to delight readers of all ages. It is a great example of how a simple story can have a profound impact on our lives.

It's really interesting that after all his searching, he finally comes to some of these answers.

It's like watching the King Hobbit and the Creator of Caspian converse with one another.

This unique situation offers a new perspective on one of my favorites.

It's as if we are privy to a conversation between two distinct and important figures in a fictional realm.

The details of their exchange and the insights they share add depth and complexity to the story.

It makes me eager to see how this new development will unfold and what further revelations it will bring.

Overall, it's a fascinating turn of events that keeps me engaged and excited about the journey ahead.

Every time I pick up one of Hesse's works, it is truly a profound and immersive experience.

Seriously speaking, each and every work of Hesse that I have had the privilege to read has been nothing short of a spiritual awakening or a psyche shattering eye opener.

His words have the power to penetrate deep within our souls, making us question our beliefs, values, and the very essence of our being.

I have developed an intense love and admiration for this remarkable man, primarily because of his extraordinary writings.

His works are like precious gems that sparkle with wisdom and insight, guiding us on our own personal journeys of self-discovery and growth.

Whether it is "Siddhartha," "Steppenwolf," or any of his other masterpieces, Hesse's writing has the ability to touch us on a profound level and leave an indelible mark on our hearts and minds.

I am truly grateful to have discovered his works and look forward to many more readings in the future.

What a disappointment!

It is just too absurd. I find myself unable to hyperfocus on any one story.

Well, that's on me, I guess. I simply wasn't willing to invest the time and attention required to interpret a story that, on average, is only 10 pages long.

Besides "Report from Normalia", nothing else was interesting enough for me.

I had set the bar extremely high for my favorite author.

However, this time, it just didn't deliver.

I had such high expectations, but unfortunately, they were not met.

Maybe I need to reevaluate my expectations or look for other works that can truly capture my interest.

But for now, I'm left feeling a bit let down.

I scarcely enjoy long fiction novels, but I can certainly be delighted by an absorbing story. I did enjoy the entire book and found inexcusable creativeness in the way Hesse seems to turn any excuse into a good story.

However, I want to highlight two of the stories that forced me to read more than twice since I got caught in the echo of the words. There’s brilliance in "CONVERSATION WITH THE STOVE". If read carefully, it yields a highly physical and metaphysical reflection. It makes one think deeply about the nature of existence and the relationship between the physical and the spiritual.

And "PICTOR’S METAMORPHOSIS" is equally captivating. It made me hallucinate with its richness in descriptive rhetoric. The vivid descriptions paint a picture in the reader's mind that is both beautiful and disturbing. I felt there was so much more in that story than what I was able to perceive. It left me with a sense of wonder and a desire to explore its depths further.

Overall, I was very impressed with the book and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys thought-provoking and beautifully written stories.

Ruminations on craft and art

are of great significance. They hold a central position in many worthy lives. The power of nature, both in its seismic and subtle forms, is truly transformative.

It's almost like Hesse comfort reading. In part, this is because I've read enough of him that I can occasionally slip into that mode. But also, the nature of these fairy tale inspired stories makes that aspect even more prominent, and in a very good way.

These ruminations on craft and art allow us to explore the deeper meanings and connections within our lives. The centrality of these elements gives purpose and direction.

The power of nature, whether it's a violent earthquake or a gentle breeze, has the ability to change us and our perspectives.

Hesse's works, with their fairy tale inspired stories, offer a unique form of comfort and inspiration.

They draw us in and make us reflect on the beauty and wonder of the world around us.

Overall, these thoughts on craft, art, and nature provide a rich and fulfilling exploration of the human experience.

For a better return on your investment, it is advisable to choose the Fairy Tales of Hermann Hesse.

This collection stands out as it encompasses a significantly larger number of stories compared to others.

Moreover, it includes several excellent tales that are characteristic of Hesse's themes.

Hesse's unique perspective and literary style are beautifully showcased in these fairy tales, offering readers a rich and engaging experience.

Whether you are a long-time fan of Hesse or new to his works, the Fairy Tales of Hermann Hesse is sure to captivate and inspire you.

It provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the imaginative world created by this renowned author and discover the hidden meanings and lessons within each story.

So, if you are looking for a collection of fairy tales that goes beyond the ordinary, look no further than the Fairy Tales of Hermann Hesse.