I think it was in October when Karen from Kaggsy’s Bookish Ramblings and I had the idea of a Hermann Hesse week. We both have come to him very early. She started reading him in her 20s, while I read my first Hesse as a teenager. I returned to him later, in my 20s, but since then, I don’t think I’ve read him again, with the exception of his poems and fairy tales.
Initially, I wanted to reread some of my favourites, but now I’ve decided, I’ll rather pick the one or the other I haven’t read yet. So, I’m planning on reading Rosshalde and Klingsor’s letzter Sommer.
Luckily, I got this lovely collection of his novels and novellas. If I have enough time, I got a few other good choices. I also recently bought a small book that contains poems, letters, non fiction, and excerpts of some of his novels. From what I’ve seen so far, it’s great.
I hope you’ll join Karen and me. I know that Hesse is a favourite of many of the readers of my blog.
For those less familiar with him, Karen’s written a wonderful introduction. You can find it here.
Have you read Hesse? Will you join us?
Beauty is a Sleeping Cat 
I haven’t read any Hesse but I have several titles on my shelf. I MIGHT join you–I hate to commit as something always seems to come along and spoil my plans.
Don’t worry. It would be great if you could. The good things is that many of his books are very short. I’d love to know what you think of him.
Pingback: Coming to a blog near you…. | Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings
Looking forward to this a lot and your collection looks lovely! 🙂
I should have taken a better picture because it’s a wondrful collection. I’m looking forward to it as well.
I love Hesse. It will be a great week, I suppose, Caroline. 🙂 I have read ‘Siddhartha’ only. I am on a shoe-string budget, and so I wouldn’t be able to acquire any more books. Maybe, I should use this as an opportunity to return to ‘Siddhartha’, which I read quite a while ago. And, I will come back here to read your thoughts on the other books. Many thanks. 🙂
Glad to hear you love him too. I know exactly how you feel. I don’t want to buy more books. Of course, you could reread Siddhartha or maybe you could find some of his poems online? I suppose they have been translated.
That is a nice idea. I haven’t read his poems. Will figure it out. Many thanks, Caroline. 🙂
You’re welcome. 🙂 Maybe you can find some of his fairy tales too? I’ll hhunt around for you as well.
Awww! That would be lovely. Thank you for all the help, Caroline. 🙂
I found this so far.
http://www.poemhunter.com/hermann-hesse/
Yay! I am so glad. Thank you.
🙂
Wonderful !
Read several books by Hesse years ago at University.
May take this opportunity to re-read them from the perspective of my older self.
Looking forward to following this project.
I’m glad to hear you like it.
My reasons for not rereading some of those I LOVED back then is because I’m afraid I might not like them so much anymore.
I so loved Siddhartha, Demian, Steppenwolf. And Narziss und Goldmund.
I’d be so interested to hear how you like them now.
I have a number of his books to read looking forward to this
That’s so great. Very happy to have you on board.
I’m in as well. His fairy tales are due for a re-read, and I don’t think I’ve ever read Demian. Here’s my opportunity…
I’m so glad. Do you have a favourite fairy tale? Demian is wonderful too.
Wow that’s a beautiful collection. No promises, but I will try to join in.
That would be great.
Yes, these editions (they exist for other authors) are beautiful. And look very expensive but they are not.
Lovely collection, Caroline. I read Siddartha in college, but my memory of it is dim. Can’t join in, but look forward to the discussion very much.
I hope there should be quite some interest.
I love that edition.
Thank you for hosting this. I love Hermann Hesse. I began reading him in my early 20s too. I also have read all of his more famous works. I will try to join in on this if I can,
It’s our pleasure. It would be great if you could join. He’s writen such a lot and a lot of it isn’t very long.
This is so wonderful, Caroline! Thanks for hosting this event with Karen. My favourite Hesse book till now is ‘Narcissus and Goldmund’. I hope to read ‘The Glass Bead Game’ someday. If I start it early, I will try to read it for Hesse reading week.
I’m very glad that you will join. Or try to. 🙂 I would have loved to read The Glass Bead Game but it’s a bit long.
My favourite is also Narcissus and Goldmund.
Great idea, Caroline. I’m probably not in a position to join this one due to timings and other commitments, but I look forward to keeping an eye on the reviews.
Thanks, Jacqui. And – no worries. We can’t participate in everything.
Hi Caroline, would you believe it I have exactly the same collection bought in Bremen in 1985 and would be happy to read along
Pat
Now that’s a coincidence. I’m so gald you’ve got it and that you will join. Which title will you pick? I really want to read Rosshalde and Klingsor’s letzter Sommer. It would be great if we could discuss.
Let me know exactly which date you’re planning and I’ll go for Klingsor’s letzter Sommer
Pat
Ok, I’ll have a look and let you know.
What a great idea – very much look forward to joining in.
I’m delighted that you will join.
Great idea! I am right now a bit tight regarding the time I can commit to reading, but if somehow possible I will at least (re-)read one of his many books on my shelf.
Luckily he has written some short novels, so I hope you can join us.
Here is a very short “review” of Steppenwolf that I posted a couple of years ago.
Thanks for this. I won’t be able to comment though. Disqus and I are not on talking terms.
No problem!
Pingback: #AW80Books: Herman Hesse’s ‘Siddhartha’ – the classic that made a generation want to punch hippies | Hard Book Habit
Pingback: Hermann Hesse ‘Klingsor’s Last Summer – South of Paris books
Saya kaget dan terpesona dengan blog ini. Sangat bagus. Saya dari Indonesia menyukai karya Herman Hesse.