Saturday, April 2, 2016

Narcissus and Goldmund.

Hermann Hesse.



I should start by saying a big reason that I read this book is because a few years ago, I read Siddhartha and absolutely loved it. 
A friend of mine read another Hesse book that turned out to be super weird, so I was a little bit nervous. But Siddhartha was so good that I was hoping this one would be good too. I had heard some positive reviews before I started. So overall, I was optimistic.

I don't think I loved it as much as Siddhartha, but it was good.
I liked some parts of it better than other parts. I don't know if I entirely agree with the overall message and theme of the book. But you don't have to agree with the message of a book to like it. So as a whole, I enjoyed it. 

I think the beginning few chapters may have been my favourites and they definitely set the tone for the rest of the book (as introductions often do).

" 'Forgive me, father. I am not certain what my own wishes are. I shall always take pleasure in study, how could it be otherwise? But I do not believe that my life will be limited to study. A man's wishes may not always determine his destiny, his mission; perhaps there are other predetermining factors.'
The Abbot listened gravely. Still, a smile played about his old face as he said: "Insofar as I have come to know people, we all have a slight tendency, especially when we are young, to confuse our wishes with predestination.' "

It is a story of two deeply contrasting friends; one a wandering artist, the other a dedicated monk. It is even set in medieval times, so the black plague features.

I wonder if this book is similar to The Brothers Karamazov. I haven't read it yet, but I think it is about  brothers who have the same sort of contrasting personalities. I will have to finally read it and see. 

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