Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

The October NF read is Autobiographical Writings by Hermann Hesse.

For those unfamiliar: Hermann Karl Hesse was a German-Swiss poet, novelist, and painter. His best-known works include Demian, Steppenwolf, Siddhartha, and The Glass Bead Game, each of which explores an individual's search for authenticity, self-knowledge and spirituality. In 1946, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature.

For those already reading or planning to, feel free to share your thoughts!

I'm at about 100 pages now, Samantha.

It's not an autobiography as such, as unfortunately he never wrote one, but its a collection of autobiographical fragments of varying length. The one I'm reading just now - "a guest at the spa" is the longest, and is excellent. He seems to have visited the spa at Baden every Autumn, seeking alleviation of rheumatic pains. In just a few words he can paint a picture of other guests - and he never takes himself too seriously.

I'm sure somewhere on my shelves I've got a volume of letters between Hesse and Mann - that will be worth reading if I can find it!

John wrote: "I'm sure somewhere on my shelves I've got a volume of letters between Hesse and Mann - that will be worth reading if I can find it!..."

I hope you were able to find the volume John.

I am not reading this one but enjoyed your comments enought to do some googling.

Lesle wrote: "John wrote: "I'm sure somewhere on my shelves I've got a volume of letters between Hesse and Mann - that will be worth reading if I can find it!..."

I hope you were able to find the volume John.
..."

I did manage to find it Lesle - its The Hesse/Mann Letters, and covers their correspondence between 1910 and 1955.

It begins with a letter from Mann to Hesse in 1910, and ends with Hesse's memorial essay to Mann, and I'm sure it will be a treat. Hopefully I'll be able to squeeze it into this year - but if not, it will be one of the books I read for 2023's German Authors buddy read.

I imagine that one of the benefits of a sustained read of a group like the German authors we've selected is that we'll come across lots of connections between them, and between them and some of those who unfortunately aren't in our schedule like Schopenhauer or Nietzsche. (Although it looks like Nietzsche might make it into Rosemarie's list).

Maybe one of the group who've studied German literature will be able to point us to a mind-map of the inter-connections?)

The Hesse/Mann Letters sounds interesting, John. I must see if I could find a copy.

This may not be relevant, but I remember our German literature professor saying that Mann and Hesse had very different world views.

I'm sure you're correct, Rosemarie. I couldn't resist a quick glance at the book and the introduction suggests that they were well into their 50s before there was any real affinity between them.

I love the fact that even after 50 years of correspondence their communication was still very formal and correct (Dear Hermann Hesse, Dear Herr Mann).

The introduction also claims that Magister Ludi in the Glass Bead Game was very much based on Mann.

Apparently Mann wrote more than 20,000 letters in his lifetime and Hesse wrote more than 35,000. Changed days!

I bought the kindle of The Hesse-Mann Letters: The Correspondence of Hermann Hesse and Thomas Mann 1910–1955. Will keep it for next year German Authors buddy read.

Piyangie wrote: "I bought the kindle of The Hesse-Mann Letters: The Correspondence of Hermann Hesse and Thomas Mann 1910–1955. Will keep it for next year German Authors buddy read."

That's excellent Piyangie - I'll keep mine for that too.

I've finished Autobiographical Writings. It was very enjoyable. A selection of essays - three of which are loosely linked, and all beautifully written. Hesse is always poetic, even when he's complaining about the occupants of the hotel room next door.

It's helped to increase my anticipation of next years German Author's read.