A very well-written novel in which Hermann Hesse shows us the progress of Emil Sinclair through his childhood and adolescence, and all the fears and difficulties that he goes through in those stages as he develops his personality.

The trigger of the story is a conflict that Emil has at the age of ten with a slightly older boy who harasses and blackmails him daily, leaving Emil immersed in a great anguish from which he cannot escape. Until a new friend, Demian, appears. Demian becomes a kind of guide who makes him see things in a different way from how he saw them before. Then Emil starts to feel in a struggle between two worlds, between the moral and the amoral, between the correct and the incorrect, between what is expected of him and what he is. And it is on this constant dichotomy in which the protagonist is trapped and his search for his own path that the novel will revolve.

It is a book with a lot of philosophy, religion, and psychology. I not only enjoyed it a lot but also because of the spiritual and introspective tone in which it is written, it produced a strong feeling of placidity and tranquility in me (something that also happened to me with the excellent El juego de los abalorios). Although it does not take away that at times it can become a bit complex due to the load of symbolism it has.

“The path of each man is a path towards himself, the attempt of a path, the sketch of a path. No man has become himself completely; however, each one aspires to arrive, some blindly, others with more light, each one as he can. All carry with them, until the end, the remains of their birth, viscosities and shells of a primary world.”

Dear friends, this book consists of 239 pages.

It is a story about the memories of the life of a boy named "Sinclair" as told in his own words.

This boy grew up in a religious, noble, and wealthy family with his sisters. He has a calm and modest behavior and is also shy. He considers the space of his home as paradise, while the outside world is a terrifying and different one for him.

In the high school named "Franz Kromer", who grew up in a bad and mischievous family, threatened Sinclair because of a fictional story of a theft described by Sinclair for the children. Sinclair, out of simplicity, became a victim and a slave of Franz Kromer's clique for a long time.

Until the main character of the story and the savior angel of Sinclair, that is, "Max Demian", enters the story. He and his mother "Eva" had moved to that city. And of course, Max Demian was older than the other students in terms of age, intellectually, and physically, and his behavior resembled that of an experienced and intelligent man.

During the acquaintance of Demian and Sinclair, Demian becomes aware of the threats, torments, and insults of Kromer and, in his own way, reduces the evil of Kromer from Sinclair and saves him in a way. From then on, Demian becomes a teacher, a savior, and an inspiration for Sinclair in all matters and becomes a special pattern of behavior for Sinclair.

Until after the end of the school year, Sinclair and Demian are separated and Sinclair goes to another city to continue his studies.

Dear ones, this part of the book mainly deals with the events that happened to Sinclair when he lives away from his family.

Until after about six years, Demian and Sinclair meet each other. Sinclair goes to their house for the first time and meets Demian's mother, that is, Eva, up close for the first time. For many days, these three talked, played, and laughed with each other, as if Demian and Sinclair had become two brothers.

But there is a subject in the middle, and that is that Sinclair has fallen in love with Demian's mother, and life without her is not possible for him.

This part of the book deals with the conversations between Sinclair and Eva, who has become aware of Sinclair's love and affection for her.

In the end of the story, Sinclair remains longing to embrace and kiss the lips of Eva. Because the World War has begun and Sinclair and Demian are enlisted in the war with Russia.

In the war, Sinclair is wounded and he is transferred to the hospital. When he opens his eyes, Demian is beside him in the bed and is also wounded. Demian, with the last strength left for him, approaches Sinclair and tells him that he knows about his love for his mother. And he says that on the day of goodbye and before enlistment, his mother kissed his lips and said: If anything happens to you, kiss Sinclair's lips and transfer this kiss to his lips instead of me.

The next day, when Sinclair comes to his senses, he looks at the neighboring bed. But Demian is no longer lying there.

I hope you enjoy reading this review and this novel.

"Be victorious and be Iranian."

**Demian: A Deep Dive into a Young Man's Spiritual and Psychological Journey**

Demian: The Story of Emil Sinclair’s Youth is a captivating 1919 novel set in the pre-WWI world. It follows the life of Emil, an adolescent boy who faces bullying and is rescued by Max Demian. I first read this book at 16 and was completely engrossed. Rereading it recently, I realized its profound influence on my early thoughts about spirituality and identity.

This novel is more accessible than some of Hesse's other works like Steppenwolf or Siddhartha. It weaves spiritual (Hindi) and psychological (Jungian) ideas into a story of seemingly real young people. The early bullying trauma is a gripping part of the book, feeling almost autobiographical. The rest of the story is a condensed allegory of Emil's coming of age. Max Demian is like a doppleganger, representing the shadow self in Emil's Jungian struggle. The dialogues between Demian and Sinclair, and with other boys, can be seen as inner dialogues, challenging Emil's beliefs and interpretations.
The backdrop of WWI adds a sense of the world's need for rebirth. The concept of Abraxas as the God of a new religion that emerges when people see through worldly illusions is an interesting one. Emil's relationships with women, like Beatrice and Frau Eva, are complex. He idealizes them as spiritual and sensual guides, yet has little real connection with them. The book encourages young people to discover their true selves and follow their inner vision, but it may lack a truly social commitment.
My own experience at 16, growing up in the Dutch Reformed Church and being a skeptic, was somewhat similar to Emil's. I read Demian and other works, which influenced my thinking. Like Emil, I made a "Profession of Faith" while having doubts. My Aunt Florence was like my Universal Mother, introducing me to different ideas. Revisiting this book allowed me to reconnect with my past self and the intense feelings of adolescence. Although I may not love it as much as I did then, I still hold on to my 5-star rating.

Overall, Demian is a thought-provoking and influential novel that explores themes of spirituality, identity, and the struggle between the self and society. It continues to resonate with readers today and offers valuable insights into the human experience.