Hans Giebernath lives among the dull and respectable townsfolk of a sleepy Black Forest village. When he is discovered to be an exceptionally gift...
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Dec 16, 2009
Damien
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It is not so much that it was a bad book, but it made me want to kill myself.
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Nov 29, 2009
Shaun
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This story showcases Hesse’s brilliant prose mixed with his thoughts on life, aging, and love. In a story centered around a bright, gifted, yet timid boy Hesse shows both sides of the spectrum, celebrating the pain and sorrow along with the joys and surprises of life. The boy’s tale is equally beautiful and tragic. He has extraordinary gifts that simply do not fit into the demanded “one narrow path” of life for small town German students at the time. Unfortunately, he is crushed beneath the
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Nov 03, 2009
Katie
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This book is Hesse's indictment of educational systems that value memorization and dissection over appreciation of beauty, that convey knowledge without provoking understanding. Students are working, working, working, but never getting anywhere worthwhile. In my favorite passage, student/poet Hermann Heilner articulates the failures of his highly respected and competitive school:
"We're reading Homer...as though the Odyssey were a cookbook. Two verses an hour and then the whole thi More...
"We're reading Homer...as though the Odyssey were a cookbook. Two verses an hour and then the whole thi More...
May 22, 2009
Amaya
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Hermann Hesse ist einer meiner Lieblingsautoren, bisher habe ich "Demian" und "Unterm Rad" von ihm gelesen. Mich fasziniert, wie real er schreibt und einen in diese Zeit zurückversetzen kann. Leider verstehe ich nicht alles, z.B. werden manche Sachen kurz angesprochen und dann nie wieder erwähnt. Dann wundert man sich warum es nicht mehr weitergeht.
Eine kurze Zusammenfassung, worum es in dem Buch eigentlich geht:
Hans ist ein ausgezeichneter Schüler und sich More...
Eine kurze Zusammenfassung, worum es in dem Buch eigentlich geht:
Hans ist ein ausgezeichneter Schüler und sich More...
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Jul 23, 2008
Andy
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Underrated brilliance from Hesse about an insanely hard-working student who finally cracks like an egg and has to slow down and appreciate the world around him, even if it kills him. This kind of tale gets pretty trite very easily, but Hesse's Germanic Zen outlook defines existence in a marvelous and offbeat light.
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Sep 16, 2010
Mark R.
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Prior to opening "Beneath the Wheel", I'd read just two of Hermann Hesse's novels, both from his "eastern period": "Journey to the East" and "Siddhartha". This one, concerning a young German student's entry into a school for the priesthood, isn't quite on the same level as those two, but is a solid read, and begins to show was Hesse was capable of.
The student is influenced by the older people in his village, some of whom he looks up to, some More...
The student is influenced by the older people in his village, some of whom he looks up to, some More...
Jan 06, 2009
Patrick
rated it:
I am from the ‘sturm und drang’ school of life. I can only read a Hesse novel with Mahler playing in the background. The more angst, the better. Give me irrational anguish, sorrow, torment.
In college, I carried Hesse novels under my arm the way super-Christians carry their Bibles like five day pads. Agony and gloom where never far. And I was of the opinion Hans Giebenrath was my autobiography. Contemporaries were raging against the system screamed copies of ‘Catcher in the Rye,’ while I More...
In college, I carried Hesse novels under my arm the way super-Christians carry their Bibles like five day pads. Agony and gloom where never far. And I was of the opinion Hans Giebenrath was my autobiography. Contemporaries were raging against the system screamed copies of ‘Catcher in the Rye,’ while I More...
Jul 10, 2011
Thom
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If you're an educator, you need to read this book. It's unfortunate that today's education crushes the individual spirit and is more about bubbling scantrons. It's all about money by the testing companies, no wonder most americans are clueless about our nation's history. Years of watching reality television and American Gladiators I suppose. Hesse is the best writer ever in my opinion, just his use of description is amazing in itself. I love the ending of this book. It is sad and beautiful.
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Sep 23, 2009
Esmeralda
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The writing is wonderful. The descriptions of a 1900s village, natural environment, and people are outstanding. Hans Giebenrath is a sympathetic protagonist. He is pushed into academia and does not develop emotional ties with people. It is a strange concept that parents, teachers, and clergy all get behind one person and make such demands. It is a bygone culture or asian style. It was a well paced nervous breakdown. The character got in touch with his own needs.
After that he glorifie More...
After that he glorifie More...
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Aug 01, 2011
Ben
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"Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." - Albert Einstein
Take this, Hesse...you've got sarcasm dripping down onto your shirt.
The story of Hans Geibenrath's journey toward maturity marks the beginning of Hermann Hesse's infatuation with the topic. Despite lacking the depth and range of Demian, Beneath The Wheel explores the concept at a truly accessible level. Hesse's brilliant and poetic style, though kept in relative check through this book, adds t More...
May 13, 2010
Autumn
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This was a thought-provoking and somewhat frustrating story of an academic prodigy from a small town who makes it into a well-regarded school, thus becoming somewhat of a celebrity in his town. Yet what was disturbing was how his teachers seemed to see him more as their personal academic puppet rather than a human boy, someone who is genius without trying or necessarily wanting to be, but the perfect candidate for them to shape and fill with information as they want.
Hans enjoys lear More...
Hans enjoys lear More...
Apr 01, 2009
Gertrude & Victoria
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Beneath the Wheel is another work of beauty by Hermann Hesse. Like many of his stories, the protagonist in this novel is a young man, a mere boy really. Also, Hesse's protagonists always seem to befriend older boys who are looked upon as mentors, confidants, and sometimes, even rivals.
Hans Giebernath is a gifted student who excels in his studies, enough to get accepted into a prestigious secondary school. He attends classes, studies his courses, and does what is required. However More...
Hans Giebernath is a gifted student who excels in his studies, enough to get accepted into a prestigious secondary school. He attends classes, studies his courses, and does what is required. However More...
Jan 15, 2008
Malcolm
rated it:
For those not familiar with the works of Hermann Hesse, you might do no better than starting off with this book – easily read in a day this book sets out themes to be pursued further in other works by the author.
Essentially, Beneath the Wheel is the story of a brilliant child, Hans Giebenrath, who finds himself ground and crushed by the expectations of the adults and an educational system that thinks that if an ounce of Homer is good, then a pound will be all the better – even d More...
Essentially, Beneath the Wheel is the story of a brilliant child, Hans Giebenrath, who finds himself ground and crushed by the expectations of the adults and an educational system that thinks that if an ounce of Homer is good, then a pound will be all the better – even d More...
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Aug 15, 2007
El
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This second book by Hermann Hesse is about Hans Giebenrath, a gifted young scholar, who is pressured by his teachers, his father, his peers, and himself to succeed academically. At the time of the state examination in order to be accepted into the theological academy Hans is thought to be prepared to take on the world. Trapped between his own self-doubt at times and his overcompensating criticism of anyone less intelligent than himself, Hans places expectations upon himself unrivaled by those
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Dec 19, 2011
Nate
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A good story about the education of a kid in Germany in the 19th century. It gave a vivid picture of what you would learn at a good school at that time in Germany, which was among the most educated places at the time... and remains so today. Greek and Latin were taught at a young age so they could read the different versions of the bible. Shows how the pressure of education can break a child who would have excelled more had he not been so pressured to do well! Quick and easy read.
Jul 04, 2011
Matthew
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Hesse at his best. This is a cautionary grim tale, that should be read by graduate students everywhere. While it may be set in early modern German society, it should strike familiar chords with Americans. A religious teacher, an atheist pastor, and a tale of two students, one who is willing to conform, the other who refuses any such thing. Death is the ultimate equalizer and liberator. Give it a read and be prepared to think deeply, if you haven't already!
Feb 11, 2009
Argott
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Why waste your time reading Beneath the Wheel instead of The Glass Bead Game? I can't answer that question because I haven't read the Glass Bead Game.
But I'll bet the Glass Bead Game is more satisfying than Beneath the Wheel. But I'll never know, because I have kids now. The only complex books that I have time to tackle involve Waldo. (That is, aside of course from the fairly extensive list of books that I pretend I am reading at any given time. I feel a sense of accomplishment. More...
But I'll bet the Glass Bead Game is more satisfying than Beneath the Wheel. But I'll never know, because I have kids now. The only complex books that I have time to tackle involve Waldo. (That is, aside of course from the fairly extensive list of books that I pretend I am reading at any given time. I feel a sense of accomplishment. More...
Dec 29, 2008
George
rated it:
Easy and fast to read, not as depressing as some other Hesse writings. I enjoyed the religious aspect of the book, and especially recognition of Protestant liberal tradition in Germany verses the Pietist. This book seams to be more relevant to younger audience, although I personally will not recommend it to rebellious youths, since the main character drowns himself after failing at: science; love; work and drinking.
Sep 08, 2009
Joe
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Kind of a fuck you to the pressures of paternal society, where boys are expected to slave away either in books or at the anvil. The underlying lesson here, being "do what makes you happy." But Hesse hits it home when he reminds us of being in this position of his protagonist. As adults it's easy to see because we're on the other side of the tunnel. However, when we are young, the world is very intimidating and unpredictable.
Jan 07, 2012
Kkinugawa
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Possibly one of the most popular pure literatures in the world. The story is about the depiction of life of a boy who had been expected to be a great person in the future. The story had decipted about the tragedy of the boy thoroughly, and I am sure you can read this as one of the greatest pure literatures in the world. From this point of view,I would like to recommend this book for all readers in the world.
Feb 13, 2011
Evan
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This book is another one of Hesse's coming of age stories. The main character is pressured academically like so many kids are today - pushed to the brink at the expense of his adolescent innocence and quality of life. The story follows Hans through his achievements and failures, being accepted into a prestigious religious school and so on. A very typical Hesse novel thematically, with an appropriate and unexpected ending.
May 11, 2011
Erik
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This is only Hesse's second novel and not his best. It is somewhat autobiographical and, like many of the author's novels, is a tale of a young man's disillusionment, rebellion and self-discovery. My notes on the book from the time of reading summarize it as follows: "Raised without a mother and crushed by the ordered, competitive, masculine world's expectations. The destruction of a young spirit."
Jan 14, 2011
Guy
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Did Hesse write his own translations? I wouldn't think so, and for that reason I should specifically mention that this edition was the one I thought flowed so nicely. This is, of course, a depressing story, more cerebral than plot-heavy, so a good translation would be especially important. Th romanticism might be more meaningful to someone actually experiencing a coming of age struggle.
Jun 10, 2009
Adrian
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I never was a too huge fan of Hermann Hesse. In this story, the character is just a tad too sensitive for my taste. Hesse was obviously gay, nothing wrong with that. But since he was I think he should have just come out and said it instead of having to keep beating around the bush about it like he does in this book. Or leave it out completely which he doesn't do either.
Jul 17, 2011
Sunne
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Die Sprache von Hesse gefällt mir ausgesprochen gut, ich lese sogar Landschaftsbeschreibungen in seinen Büchern, welche mich bei den meisten anderen Autoren langweilen.
Auch in diesem Buch geht es um die Wegfindung während der Jugendjahren, erste Liebe, Berufswahl und generelle Sinnfindung. Während des Lesens habe ich mich wieder zurückerinnert und auch in einem jüngeren Ich wieder erkannt.
Auch in diesem Buch geht es um die Wegfindung während der Jugendjahren, erste Liebe, Berufswahl und generelle Sinnfindung. Während des Lesens habe ich mich wieder zurückerinnert und auch in einem jüngeren Ich wieder erkannt.
Sep 08, 2010
Emansil
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I've not read any Hesse in at least 20 years. I'd always loved everything I'd read by him, and this one did not disappoint.
In many ways you could take our hero and set him down in any high acheiving family in America and probably other countries as well. The pressure we sometimes put on our chlidren to perform is criminal.
In many ways you could take our hero and set him down in any high acheiving family in America and probably other countries as well. The pressure we sometimes put on our chlidren to perform is criminal.
Mar 31, 2010
Litchick
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I've adored Hesse since I read "Narcissus and Goldmund." This semi-autobiographical book is supposed to give good insight into Hesse as an artist and is the key to understanding his subsequent works. As usual, I found it beautifully written and insightful, a wonder that he's fallen out of favor in the canon.
Jul 31, 2009
Kate
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Another one of those books I might have to read again. Maybe I just didn't understand it at the time, but I remember it being very boring and pointless. Makes me wonder why they make you read all those books in school when all you remember of them is the struggle to get to the end...
Dec 02, 2009
Indy
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I'd known this book only by name, but my sister lent me, so I read it.
It's a good source to know what a life of a school boy in Germany who went to a seminary.
This is a strong protest against cramming system of education especially for school children who need to play.
It's a good source to know what a life of a school boy in Germany who went to a seminary.
This is a strong protest against cramming system of education especially for school children who need to play.
Nov 13, 2010
jesse
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Another great one by Hermann Hesse that I read in my early twenties, and I'm fifty eight now. I realize that this isn't much of a review, but suffice it to say that Hermann Hesse was ons one of the great all-time writers of spiritual fiction, in my opinion.
