I must apologize for my lack of literary reviews this last month. In all the trials of this life, I have not forgotten that I am here to learn more than just Asian culture. Andy Stoll sent me a very special copy of Herman Hesse's "Demian." I read it quickly and determined. This was the first philosophical work of fiction that I've found undeniably rewarding and enjoyable at the same time. The narrator is a young man around my age and, like me, he is on a journey to find the self. I would pause every chapter and find myself rethinking the chapters of my own life and viewing them in a different light, under a magnified lens. Reading the book at school, Lee (the most intelligent and best teacher at Swaton) told me she has read the Korean translation many times and it is her favorite book. Just last week, I found a copy in Seoul and bought it for her. I don't know if random gift giving is acceptable in Korea or not, but, 10 minutes after giving her the book, she gave me a letter explaining the books' significance and some rice cakes. I think this could be the seed to a fruitful friendship. "Demian" is a short, engaging read and I finished it in a week.
My next novel would prove far more consuming. I'd actually listened (remember my quick books-on-cd phase) to Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment." I enjoyed it, but I had to read more to see why he's so well known and respected. A few weeks ago, I began "The Idiot," his last novel. The book is over 600 pages long and there were times when I thought I'd give up in the middle. The story is well developed, scandalous and a massive creation. The characters' specific personalities are well thought out but the out-dated language wore on me at times. I recall wishing it was less-winded but, at the same time, I was trapped in this complex story and had too see everything be resolved. Dostoyevsky makes some compelling indirect commentary on happiness and the ignorance many attach to it. Cobainian thought- I like to call it "I think I'm happy, or maybe just dumb." Also, the book spoke of the dangers of being to honest I feel better for having read it, but I'd suggest that you save it until you're retired, sitting in a rocker and watching the world go by. Otherwise, the world might just sneak by you as you're wrestling with this titanic novel.
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8 comments:
i'm glad that Hesse did the job for you. Like you said it is a solid quick read and surprisingly fruitful considering how swiftly it can, and usually is, read. Now Dan, if you have any real faith in my book suggestions and enjoyed Hesse enough to read another of his books you should look into Gertrude. Steppenwolf and Siddhartha are unmistakingly his most popular but i'm just as partial to Demian and Gertrude as i am to the more reknown novels.
When are you up for a fast?
Actually Stolgiers, I'm near the finish of Siddhartha as we speak. I couldn't resist the opportunity to read his eastern religion search while I'm here. Should be over in a day and, while the book only glimpses at Buddhism, it has made me want to go to more temples and observe this religion more acutely. It's nearly the 4th and, for old times' sake (we both agreed old times' sake kicks ass), let's start on the 4th. you game?
It's go time!
when i'm done w/my current book i think i'm going to revisit the Hesse collection. 2 weeks worth of reading and im internalizing and digesting for years.
we have one life to live so there's no better time than now to live it.
we'll have to arrange a method of communication, so we can inform each other of our status. (in reference to the fast)
so fucking tired...nite.
well its sounds very interesting listing to you all talk about books but as you know i dont read. but maybe one day i will start.its like 100 degrees out for the last month d. This must be the hottest summer i can remember. i think the world is really fucked, weather wise. Something is changing out there. One thing i still do is watch movies and i saw batman returns, it was the best movie ever and that aint no lie. thats about it for me, life sucks but somtimes its alright.
"life sucks but sometimes it's alright" - FUCKING BRILLIANT!
can i have it? whoever you are.
"life sucks but sometimes it's all right," those are Frio's words. The kid is capable of all kinds of wisdom if you just listen carefully. I remember him once saying, "what are we going to do, just sit on the couch all night and NOT drink beer?" Genious. And yes, Frio you're right, Batman Begins is the best movie ever. Finally a sequel the acknowledged the mistakes of past sequels and went back to the origan. Beautiful.
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