Der Steppenwolf. Berlin: S. Fischer, [1927].
First edition, first issue.
Octavo 64, 33, 65-289, [1] pp., with the separately paginated Tractat bound in with faux wrappers as required. Original blue cloth ruled and decorated in gilt; covers lightly soiled and worn, some chipping to head and foot of spine as well as a split in cloth; gilt ruling rubbed away at some spots. Without the fragile dust-jacket, the usual browning very light to adjacent pages of faux Tractat wrappers (often quite heavy). German ex-libris stamp to title, front fly-leaf excised. A good copy.
First edition, first issue of Hesse’s tenth novel. The story of a man who experiences a mid-life crisis and must choose between a life of contemplation and a life of action, this work is considered by many to have significant autobiographical overtones. The central character, Harry Haller, feels that he has a second person inside of him, a shadow character of sorts which he calls Hermine who introduces him to drugs, drinking, sex, and music. Written shortly after the failure of Hesse’s second marriage, it reflects the deep feelings of depression and solitude which led Hesse to contemplate suicide at the time.
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.†His novel Siddhartha and the present work are probably his best known pieces.
ID:
3565
$
2,000