Questions About The Glass Bead Game

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Answered Questions (8)

does the story get any better after the first hundred pages?

Kate Parr I would say if you're waiting for a big event, or grand set piece, that doesn't really happen. You're reading a biography, albeit a fictional one, and…moreI would say if you're waiting for a big event, or grand set piece, that doesn't really happen. You're reading a biography, albeit a fictional one, and it is more concerned with Joseph's relationship to the game, his understanding of it, and by extension his society. I found it a most peaceful and delightful book, but then a society who reveres learning and scholarly study is my idea of heaven! However, if after a hundred pages, the language and descriptions haven't grabbed you, then there's probably nothing that follows that will. Good luck!(less)

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Has anyone made a connection between the Harry Potter and the Joseph Knecht character in Hesse's the GBG?

Roshen Dalal There can't be any connection--there can't be any comparison. Harry Potter may be what youngsters like, but The Glass Bead Game surpasses those books …moreThere can't be any connection--there can't be any comparison. Harry Potter may be what youngsters like, but The Glass Bead Game surpasses those books a million times.(less)

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This book is my all-time favourite. Is there anyone else who likes it as much?

D.M.A.666 Yes it was a spiritual awakening, one of the best books ever.

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Why are there so few female characters in this book?

X Li As easily speculated early on in the book and mentioned in the book itself, the structure of Castalia bears a skeleton of Christian models. Like how p…moreAs easily speculated early on in the book and mentioned in the book itself, the structure of Castalia bears a skeleton of Christian models. Like how people become priests and bishops, to be admitted closer to the Order, one has to give up life of the world. Marriage is thus considered as one of the temptations, “the danger of wasting himself on women". And don’t even bother asking why there is no female scholar in the Order (so far, I am only halfway atm), even though substituting literally any named character in the book with a female counterpart has no effects what-so-ever. It’s the same old Catholic telling: the intellectually useless, dangerous, second sex, neglected, excluded from the minimal plot of the book and intellectual concerns/practices. (less)

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I tried to read this book after reading Siddhartha, Damian, Steppenwolf, etc. in the sixties. I found it impenetrable. However, I think of GBG when I am in the line for gas at Costco, playing "Bejeweled" on my phone. Any one else?

Daniel Hofmann Same story for me. Read 3 HH in high school & beyond, then I tried this one. I couldn't get anywhere; it was so difficult to read. I gave up & never r…moreSame story for me. Read 3 HH in high school & beyond, then I tried this one. I couldn't get anywhere; it was so difficult to read. I gave up & never read another Hesse book.(less)

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