Despite having relished numerous Hesse novels, I was unsure what to expect from this book. However, as soon as I began to read the first story, those familiar pleasant and organic vibes radiated from the pages, that unique and intoxicating style which Hesse developed. The themes and concerns which pervade the writer's novels feature prominently here. Many of these tales in one way or another deal with matters of self-discovery and spirituality, but others pertain to grimmer affairs.
In contrast to the largely worldly events and thoughts seen in many Hesse novels, this compendium sees a greater stress on the supernatural, perhaps unsurprisingly given the genre involved. Even so, all of this remains within the loose framework which one would associate with this writer. Some of the backdrops and imagery are quite exotic, surreal even...
Many of these stories do have morals or messages contained within them (but not rammed down the reader's throat), whilst others are more akin to streams of consciousness or mood pieces. One of the joys of Hesse's writings is that interpretations can be fluid and multi-faceted, this largely stemming from the nature of his preoccupations. The brevity of these pieces, and their streamlined format, helps to give them real impact, as their subject matter tends to be more concentrated.
Of the tales making up this book, ones which I found particularly affecting and intriguing were "The Dwarf", "Augustus" and "Iris". The last named, and others, encapsulate many of Hesse's recurrent fascinations, including the notions of "returning to mother", "going home" and "oneness"
Much of the final portion of this book is given over to stories which reveal the author's despair concerning political and social trends in the early 20th century. A relatively strident and unambiguous tone is adopted here, in such tales as "Strange News from Another Planet", "The Forest Dweller", "If The War Continues", "The Empire" and "The European". In these prescient commentaries on, and indictments of, tyranny, war and intolerance, Hesse sounds notes of dread and foreboding, reflective of those volatile days. That said, I found the tenor to be largely one of defiance rather than resignation.
The language employed in these more "topical" pieces is hardly cryptic or euphemistic, as if Hesse was striving to deliver a stripped down warning, devoid of any scope for misinterpretation.
With translation, and an introduction, by Jack Zipes, The Fairy Tales of Hermann Hesse will enrich and broaden people's appreciation of the man's visions, outlook and world-view, as well as being an entertaining and stimulating read.
In contrast to the largely worldly events and thoughts seen in many Hesse novels, this compendium sees a greater stress on the supernatural, perhaps unsurprisingly given the genre involved. Even so, all of this remains within the loose framework which one would associate with this writer. Some of the backdrops and imagery are quite exotic, surreal even...
Many of these stories do have morals or messages contained within them (but not rammed down the reader's throat), whilst others are more akin to streams of consciousness or mood pieces. One of the joys of Hesse's writings is that interpretations can be fluid and multi-faceted, this largely stemming from the nature of his preoccupations. The brevity of these pieces, and their streamlined format, helps to give them real impact, as their subject matter tends to be more concentrated.
Of the tales making up this book, ones which I found particularly affecting and intriguing were "The Dwarf", "Augustus" and "Iris". The last named, and others, encapsulate many of Hesse's recurrent fascinations, including the notions of "returning to mother", "going home" and "oneness"
Much of the final portion of this book is given over to stories which reveal the author's despair concerning political and social trends in the early 20th century. A relatively strident and unambiguous tone is adopted here, in such tales as "Strange News from Another Planet", "The Forest Dweller", "If The War Continues", "The Empire" and "The European". In these prescient commentaries on, and indictments of, tyranny, war and intolerance, Hesse sounds notes of dread and foreboding, reflective of those volatile days. That said, I found the tenor to be largely one of defiance rather than resignation.
The language employed in these more "topical" pieces is hardly cryptic or euphemistic, as if Hesse was striving to deliver a stripped down warning, devoid of any scope for misinterpretation.
With translation, and an introduction, by Jack Zipes, The Fairy Tales of Hermann Hesse will enrich and broaden people's appreciation of the man's visions, outlook and world-view, as well as being an entertaining and stimulating read.
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