Steppenwolf Help

[josh2146]

I've been reading and enjoying the messages here for a while but this is my first post, so we'll see how it goes...
I just finished reading Steppenwolf by Herman Hesse, and I'm trying to let it all sink in. At first it made me just want to lay down and die because it's such an intense read. Although I loved the book, i'm still a little confused with the ending and would appreciate any comments/explanations about it.
My take on it is that after the big dance reality stops and Harry goes through a series of surreal/imaginary experiences until he utlimately accepts the many different aspects of his personality....or something like that.

Did anyone else have difficulty with this book? I've read Siddhartha and Narcissus and Goldmund (which is by far my favorite) so any comments about Hesse in general are welcome too.

[emily655321]

Siddhartha has been my only Hesse read to date, so I'm afraid I can't help you out with this one. Which...was kind of unnecessary to say. But just to say, you're not being ignored. :cool: If I read it in the near future I'll get back to you.

[imthefoolonthehill]

i thought you might be asking about the band from the 60s.... i was dissapointed, ill have you know. You should apologize for forcing me to have preconcieved assumptions before entering this thread...

[Edzabeen]

I recently completed one of his books (hope I'll translate it correctly) "Under the wheel" and when I later read Somerset Maugham's "Of Human bondage" I found that the beginning "of human bondage" is quite similar to "under the wheel". The style and problems seemed quite the same so does anyone know if it's true? I mean if the style of Hesse and Maugham is similar or those are just my illusions.
I've also read the fairytales (hope this is the right word) by Hesse and I find them very interesting especially the "Midget" (again doubting about the translation) but maybe that's becouse it was the first tale in the book.