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realmeanmotorscutor
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1764 Posts |
 Posted - 10/20/2003 : 22:46:42
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I know some of you out there read Hesse and I was wondering what your thoughts of him are; what are your favorite books, etc.?
I started with Steppenwolf and went from there.
My thoughts:
Though Hermann Hesse is an amazing writer one should not turn to him in search of any great or profound answer to life's problems. Hesse was immature and never allowed himself to fully develop. A student of philosophy, Hesse got himself into the typical philosopher's self-centered rut never realizing that while philosophising is great and fun there are never any results, at least no results that justify a life spent to find them. In fact, I think it can be said that he never did get results. He continually struggled with giving up writing, forgetting the ego and focusing on his spirit but was never fully able.
Hesse, while entertaining and intriguing as anything, is not to be idolized and yet, sadly, many misguided youths do. Doing so achieves about as much as worshipping Holden Caulfield or starting your own fight club. All are worth giving thought to but need to be seen for what they are: depictions of fucked up characters, the likes of which one should avoid becoming.
Still and all, Hesse remains my favorite novelist. And you?
Semper ubi sub ubi. |
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realmeanmotorscutor
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1764 Posts |
Posted - 10/20/2003 : 22:57:09
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I forgot to add this poem for any interested.
To a Chinese Girl Singing
We traveled down the still river in the evening,
The acacia stood in the color of rose, casting its light,
The clouds cast down the rose light. But I scarcely saw
them,
All I saw were the plum blossoms in your hair.
You sat smiling in the bow of the garlanded boat,
Held the lute in your skillful hand,
Sang the song, that holy country of your own,
While your eyes pomised fire, and you were so young.
Without saying anything, I stood at the mast, and what I
wanted,
For myself, was to give in to those gleaming eyes, over and
over,
To listen to the song forever in blessed pain,
To the song that could make me happy, tangled in your
delicate hands.
translated by James Wright
Reading these poems while listening to the 14th track of the Kill Bill soundtrack is beautiful and this one seemed especially fitting.
I'm pretty sure the form of this poem got messed up, sorry bout that. Praps I'll post more of these relatively rare translations if there are any Hesse fans out there in FB land.
Semper ubi sub ubi. |
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realmeanmotorscutor
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1764 Posts |
Posted - 10/20/2003 : 23:00:00
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wooo, my formatting worked - that's the right structure.
Semper ubi sub ubi. |
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TarTar
* Dog in the Sand *
1965 Posts |
Posted - 10/20/2003 : 23:28:45
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| I've never read Hesse, but I've had intentions to do so. Sidharrtha and Peter Camenzind are the ones I've wanted to read. But, as is the case with much music, movies, books, and places, there's just so much to do in this life, and I'm trying to do as much as I can. Wait, that's not true, I just keep listening to the same music over and over and never leave the apartment. Oh well. |
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realmeanmotorscutor
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1764 Posts |
Posted - 10/20/2003 : 23:37:20
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Just read Peter Camenzind recently; it was good but doesn't compare to his other stuff as it's one of his first. PC had a few very touching parts though. For an early book and good intro, Damien might be the way to go.
Siddhartha was was my least favorite. It's his best known and extremely well loved but I just didn't dig it as much as his others.
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