Demian. Die Geschichte einer Jugend. Berlin: S. Fischer, 1919.
First edition.
Small octavo. [vi], [9] (sic) – 256 pp. Publisher’s mottled paper boards, spine tooled and lettered in black. Mild rubbing to covers and spine, text slightly browned (as is common for this title), seven pages in rear neatly reinforced at gutter with paper. An absolutely superb copy of this very rare title, hardly ever seen in this condition.
This novel, written by Hesse in only three weeks and published under the fictional narrator’s name, is about the narrator’s quest (he is a young boy when the novel begins) for absolute truth, denying the superficial societal illusions. Helping him with this revolutionary quest is his friend and mentor, Max Demian. This quest for enlightenment and rejection of superficiality is classic Hesse; it incorporates profound enlightenment in an extremely personal way, with economy and elegance of language.
Hesse (1877-1962), the son of a Pietist missionary, was a German poet and novelist who explored spirituality and self in his works. In 1946 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for “his inspired writings which, while growing in boldness and penetration, exemplify the classical humanitarian ideals and high qualities of style.†In the 1960's, his work and its emphasis on enlightenment (especially books like Siddhartha (1922) and Steppenwolf (1927)) enjoyed a renewed interest by members of the counterculture movement, and started to be read widely at universities and colleges throughout the world. To this day, he is considered one of Germany's best twentieth-century writers.
ID:
3224
$
7,500