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Demian, The Story of Emil Sinclair's Youth

Gelesen von Michele Fry

(4,537 Sterne; 68 Bewertungen)

Somewhat autobiographical, this "coming of age" novel unfolds an introspective boy's formative years in pre-World War 1 Germany, from grade school through college. Hesse likens this confusing process to a giant bird struggling to break out of its egg (the protective shell of home, family, social norms), to be reborn as an individuated adult with his own goals, ideas and ideals. Much importance is given to dreams and their interpretation, Fate vs individual choice, Gnosticism (particularly the god Abraxas), opening up to one's unconsciousness, all showing the influence of Carl Jung's psychology. One of the book's major themes is the existence of opposing forces (good vs evil, society vs individualism, God vs Devil, etc.) and the idea that both are natural and necessary parts of the Whole. Adjacent themes are about puberty, sexuality, bullying, loneliness, mentorship, the divine feminine, psychic connections, questioning religious dogma, and the herd mentality.
It is also a story of one soldier’s experience on the battlefield of WWI, feeling part of and being willing to die for a cause outside ones own control.
Due to its controversial themes, Demian was first published under the pseudonym "Emil Sinclair" (the narrator of the story) but Hesse was later revealed to be the author. - Summary by Michele Fry, Soloist (5 hr 41 min)

Chapters

Introduction, The Story Of Emil Sinclair's Youth

4:34

Read by Michele Fry

Ch 1.1 Two Worlds

20:27

Read by Michele Fry

Ch 1.2 Two Worlds

20:04

Read by Michele Fry

Ch 2.1 Cain

22:42

Read by Michele Fry

Ch 2.2 Cain

20:32

Read by Michele Fry

Ch 3.1 The Thief on the Cross

24:33

Read by Michele Fry

Ch 3.2 The Thief on the Cross

19:40

Read by Michele Fry

Ch 4.1 Beatrice

26:07

Read by Michele Fry

Ch 4.2 Beatrice

22:50

Read by Michele Fry

Ch 5 The Bird Fights Its Way Out of the Egg

38:34

Read by Michele Fry

Ch 6.1 Jacob Wrestles With God

22:17

Read by Michele Fry

Ch 6.2 Jacob Wrestles With God

24:43

Read by Michele Fry

Ch 7.1 Mother Eve

29:04

Read by Michele Fry

Ch 7.2 Mother Eve

25:29

Read by Michele Fry

Ch 8 The Beginning of the End

20:08

Read by Michele Fry

Bewertungen

I loved the narrator's voice, it's very expressive and calm.

(5 Sterne)

excellent

(5 Sterne)

beautiful text, read flawlessly. thank you

profound

(5 Sterne)

a lovely novel with profound reading

(5 Sterne)

Thank you for the lovely reading!