Reviews: Hits and MissesHave you read a book you’d like to share with your neighbours? Do you have an opinion about a new movie that you just can’t keep to yourself? Are you looking for feedback on a CD before you decide to buy – or have you just heard the greatest new tune and you want to let everyone know about it? Well this is the place to express your thoughts on music, movies, theatre, books – whatever you’d like to review – and to find out what your neighbours think about what they are watching, listening to and reading.
Steppenwolf: by Hermann HesseA wolf of the plains, Harry Haller is alone, reclusive, and tormented by an inner conflict of personality and desire. Hermann Hesse writes masterfully about psychological conflict and chaos. His writing tends to be most popular during periods of political and cultural disturbance or instability. In Germany his writings were most popular shortly after two devastating wars. In North America they gained popularity during the 60’s and 70’s—a time of political unrest.
One of the most interesting things about this book is the number of voices that are audible in the writing. The story starts off in the voice of an observer, telling about his experiences with Harry Haller. Somewhat confused by the man, respectful of his intensity and disconcerted by his ever-changing personality, the narrator gives an account of the interaction he has with Harry. Then we get to hear Harry’s account of his personal journey.
Written in a manner rife with inner turmoil, Harry is contemptuous of feelings that he describes as pretentious and over-dramatic, but nonetheless real. Meanwhile, other aspects of Harry’s self laugh at his attempts to communicate his feelings with the real world. Every part of his personality derides another part of his personality…and the result is a medley of perspectives, all of which are self-loathing.
In the background of these voices, we hear the hum of the author’s real voice; never coming out and saying anything directly, there is the constant influence of what the writer might be thinking as we read his words. Is this story autobiographical? Does Hesse laugh at himself, as he laughs at Harry? Or does he feel this inner turmoil, using Harry as a conduit of himself that is safely un-attached to his real life?
The result is slightly confusing, but incredibly interesting as the reader is left trying to interpret whether impressions are coming from Harry, the narrating nephew, or from Herman Hesse himself.
Definitely not light reading, I recommend this novel to anyone interested in journeys of the soul. |
