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Herman Hesse's Narcissus and Goldmund: A Phenomenological View
Book by Digan, Kathleen E
85 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1976
48 people are currently reading
2252 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen E. Digan
1 book6 followersKathleen E. Digan is a scholar who has contributed significantly to literary analysis. She is the author of Herman Hesse's Narcissus and Goldmund: A Phenomenological View, published in 1976, which offers a detailed interpretation of Herman Hesse's famous novel. This book delves into the philosophical themes within Hesse's work, particularly the conflict between the spiritual and the sensual, embodied by the two main characters, Narcissus and Goldmund. Her interpretation is considered a scholarly work in literary criticism and phenomenology.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
November 17, 2014
Usually, I do not bother wasting my time rating/reviewing the books I read. After reading this book I felt an tremendous urge for doing so, as if it was a duty assigned to me from an unknown external source.
The reason I felt so obliged to rate this book is because it moved me in a degree that no other book has ever moved me before. It touched, rocked something and planted an idea into the deepest depths of my human existence.
I simply cannot express with words how unique this book is. That is all I can allow myself to say about this masterpiece. I encourage every person to read this, to read and understand it; the powerful messages it embodies.
Before closing this very short review, I must impose on you, who has not read it yet, the most beautiful description of a Wanderer, which H.H presents in the beginning of chapter 13, so that you can have an idea of what you are about to experience. It has indeed inspired me alot:
"Obedient to no man, dependent only on weather and season, with no goal, no roof overhead, possessing nothing and open to all manner of chance, the homeless lead lives that are childlike and courageous, meagre and tenacious. They are the sons of Adam, of the outcast from Paradise, and the brothers of the animals, the innocents. From the hand of Heaven they accept, hour by hour, whatever is given them: sun, rain, fog, snow, warmth and cold, comfort and suffering. For them there is no time, no history, no striving, nor that strange idol of growth and progress in which house-owners so desperately believe. A wayfarer can be tender or rough, skilful or clumsy, courageous or timid, but always he is at heart a child, always living Earth's first day, before the beginning of all history, his life always governed by a few simple urges and needs. He can be clever or stupid. He can have a deep-seated knowledge of the fragility and impermanence of all life, of how pitifully and tremulously all living things carry their scrap of warm blood through the icy spaces of the universe, or he can be like a child and greedily follow the dictates of his poor stomach: but always he is the opponent and mortal enemy of the sedentary property-owner, who hates, despises and fears him because he does not wish to be reminded of that - of the ephemeral nature of all existence, of the continuous withering of all life, of the inexorable, icy death that fills the universe around us."
The reason I felt so obliged to rate this book is because it moved me in a degree that no other book has ever moved me before. It touched, rocked something and planted an idea into the deepest depths of my human existence.
I simply cannot express with words how unique this book is. That is all I can allow myself to say about this masterpiece. I encourage every person to read this, to read and understand it; the powerful messages it embodies.
Before closing this very short review, I must impose on you, who has not read it yet, the most beautiful description of a Wanderer, which H.H presents in the beginning of chapter 13, so that you can have an idea of what you are about to experience. It has indeed inspired me alot:
"Obedient to no man, dependent only on weather and season, with no goal, no roof overhead, possessing nothing and open to all manner of chance, the homeless lead lives that are childlike and courageous, meagre and tenacious. They are the sons of Adam, of the outcast from Paradise, and the brothers of the animals, the innocents. From the hand of Heaven they accept, hour by hour, whatever is given them: sun, rain, fog, snow, warmth and cold, comfort and suffering. For them there is no time, no history, no striving, nor that strange idol of growth and progress in which house-owners so desperately believe. A wayfarer can be tender or rough, skilful or clumsy, courageous or timid, but always he is at heart a child, always living Earth's first day, before the beginning of all history, his life always governed by a few simple urges and needs. He can be clever or stupid. He can have a deep-seated knowledge of the fragility and impermanence of all life, of how pitifully and tremulously all living things carry their scrap of warm blood through the icy spaces of the universe, or he can be like a child and greedily follow the dictates of his poor stomach: but always he is the opponent and mortal enemy of the sedentary property-owner, who hates, despises and fears him because he does not wish to be reminded of that - of the ephemeral nature of all existence, of the continuous withering of all life, of the inexorable, icy death that fills the universe around us."
September 29, 2013
The third time was the charmed. I have started reading this book three times. The first two times I gave up after 10 pages or so, and this time around I read it in 3 days and couldn't put it down. I guess I was ready now.
It is a very interesting book. The book is a compilation of ideas, lightly bound together by the main thread. It explores human nature, relationship between men and women, between humans and our place in this world, our destiny and meaning of existence.
I found only few answers in the book and it opened a lot more questions than it answered. It gives ideas, hints and clues that made me think, but does not enforce a point of view. Only few main ideas are developed and concluded, the rest just make you think through beautiful language of Hesse.
As I read it in Slovene, I can't comment on the English translation, but the language in Slovene is also as beautiful as the message of the book.
Final rating:4.5, well worth reading
It is a very interesting book. The book is a compilation of ideas, lightly bound together by the main thread. It explores human nature, relationship between men and women, between humans and our place in this world, our destiny and meaning of existence.
I found only few answers in the book and it opened a lot more questions than it answered. It gives ideas, hints and clues that made me think, but does not enforce a point of view. Only few main ideas are developed and concluded, the rest just make you think through beautiful language of Hesse.
As I read it in Slovene, I can't comment on the English translation, but the language in Slovene is also as beautiful as the message of the book.
Final rating:4.5, well worth reading
September 5, 2025
This book introduced my young teen mind to an exploration of sexuality in the middle ages (or was that the Renaissance?). Ok... I am sure the book is about a lot more than sex... but, you know - at that age any mention of it was pretty mind blowing for me.
I do remember the concept of an artisan and his apprentice. I think I remember Narcissus as being far too sexual and Goldmund being more savvy in how he dealt with responsibility and the world.
Anyway, I should read it again! Hesse really did something for me as I traveled the U.S. I remember reading one of his books in the back seat of a Greyhound bus. I traveled close to 8,000 miles in less than 3 weeks (L.A. to Concord, N.H. and back through Canada down to the L.A. area again). ... a grueling trip. Hesse made it more enjoyable.
I do remember the concept of an artisan and his apprentice. I think I remember Narcissus as being far too sexual and Goldmund being more savvy in how he dealt with responsibility and the world.
Anyway, I should read it again! Hesse really did something for me as I traveled the U.S. I remember reading one of his books in the back seat of a Greyhound bus. I traveled close to 8,000 miles in less than 3 weeks (L.A. to Concord, N.H. and back through Canada down to the L.A. area again). ... a grueling trip. Hesse made it more enjoyable.
January 5, 2008
This book had a profound impact on my way of life.
April 15, 2013
I read this book in the 1970s and it remains one of my favorites. I need to re-read it.
June 2, 2023
Veldig bra
June 25, 2008
A fantastic read into the complex dynamic of humanity, faith, and our own ego.
Read
October 21, 2008I love all of his books. I found myself in them during my collage years.
February 7, 2022
A phenomenological view on a the sexual awakening of a young artist and his search on love and truth.
October 7, 2018
Without understanding why back then, I could not read it without crying. Huge denied parts of me resonated beneath the surface of my consciousness. Those unlived aspects of my soul.
September 10, 2020
Read during my Hesse Phase, just after college and before “real life” got deep, I did not enjoy this one as much as Steppenwolf, Siddhartha, and Magister Ludi. It may have been where and when it fell in the trajectory of his writing style & maturity, the nature of the story itself, or just the very Germanic feel the whole thing has (names aside); I kept getting the feeling that no matter how well I thought I understood the story and its characters, there would always be some aspects, some subtlety, that I wouldn’t or couldn’t get because of the nature of the Germanic mindset in the 20’s and 30’s. (Or maybe I just didn’t care for this one...) Glad I read it, though, for comparison’s sake.
March 28, 2025
Everything you read by Herman Hesse never disappoints. Narcissus and Goldmund is another masterpiece by Hesse. This book teaches us the art of living—discipline and spiritual training on one hand, as a path to deep understanding, and immersion in deep passion and perception of the here and now, the tangible and nature, on the other. The book is written in a fluent style, where the author masterfully shifts from narration to concepts, and from reflections on ideas to the flow and magic of storytelling. It is published by Dukagjini Publishing and is available in bookstores. If you enjoy reading slowly and with delight, this is the right book for you.
June 11, 2022
It was the first time I read herman hesse with narcissus and boccador, a spectacular book that I loved until chapter 15, because after the Boccadoro character I hated him, I didn't like his moral choices and his actions, Narciso instead I loved him, because he has always remained fixed in his convictions, he helped boccadoro in everything and this made me understand that if he is the right person he will remain forever
July 26, 2020
these two opposed personalities are the two personalities of the author himself. He was like: "Ok, I have spiritual and material ego and I will not sacrifice one for the sake of another but I will take a little of both." But to stay a simple human one need to choose his moral - spiritual side above the passionate one and not to degrade himself to animal behaviour
October 12, 2021
This is the best book I' ve ever read! I think I will read it again at some point in my life! I can' t forget the feelings I felt while I was reading it. Herman Hesse has a unique way to present life itself with all the happiness and tragedies in it! I totally recommend it!
December 10, 2019
A gem...
June 16, 2020
Very good intense
October 19, 2020
Great read!! changed the way I live and look at world!
December 28, 2020
Incredibly touching. Which one are you?
August 15, 2021
Praticmanete �� "Call me by your name"
November 12, 2021
među omiljenim
February 6, 2025
habe buch in der WG in portland gelesen und mit thomas kilian drüber gewitzelt ich sei goldmund, habe erst durch buch gelernt was ein narzist ist
October 23, 2025
comfort book
May 10, 2025
I love this book, It is worth repeated readings. I have enjoyed Hess’s development of the lifelong friendship between Goldmund the extrovert and Narcissus the introspective philosopher.
July 22, 2014
The book is great. Hesse as always marvaless.
I understood the meaning of the book, but there's one thing I can't find, the meaning of their own names! I'm very interested in why they have those two specific names, Narcissus and Goldmund. Maybe every one of us is free to make their own meanings of it. Do we have to take the meaning of the names literally or not?
So, everyone knows the story about Narcissus, how he spent his days looking at his reflection in the lake because he was in love with him self, and he hated everyone who would confess their love to him. And one day he was bend over the lake too much and he felt in the water and drown.
In my opinion, Narcissus didn't act like real narcissus, but Goldmund did. By leaving always the ones who loved him and thinking of himself only. In the other hand, he had had right to do so, since he was trying to find his purpose in life. We all do that. And his own name fully describes him, because he was good in manipulating people to gain what he wants from them. There's one sentence that shows that very well: 'Come Goldmund, let's see how gold your mouth are' (translated from croatian).
This is just one detail of the book of what I couldn't find any analysis, but I think is very interesting and important to know about. Feel free to express your opinions! Thanks
I understood the meaning of the book, but there's one thing I can't find, the meaning of their own names! I'm very interested in why they have those two specific names, Narcissus and Goldmund. Maybe every one of us is free to make their own meanings of it. Do we have to take the meaning of the names literally or not?
So, everyone knows the story about Narcissus, how he spent his days looking at his reflection in the lake because he was in love with him self, and he hated everyone who would confess their love to him. And one day he was bend over the lake too much and he felt in the water and drown.
In my opinion, Narcissus didn't act like real narcissus, but Goldmund did. By leaving always the ones who loved him and thinking of himself only. In the other hand, he had had right to do so, since he was trying to find his purpose in life. We all do that. And his own name fully describes him, because he was good in manipulating people to gain what he wants from them. There's one sentence that shows that very well: 'Come Goldmund, let's see how gold your mouth are' (translated from croatian).
This is just one detail of the book of what I couldn't find any analysis, but I think is very interesting and important to know about. Feel free to express your opinions! Thanks
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2019
While lots of topics are touched in this book, the main focus is on the duality of the world. Every reader will find their own meaning, which makes reading of this piece a very personal and intimate experience.
As always, Hesse puts a lot of attention on the development and growth of the character. Thus, the book is very engaging and thinking of it never really ends...
As always, Hesse puts a lot of attention on the development and growth of the character. Thus, the book is very engaging and thinking of it never really ends...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2014
Bisexuality, Theology, Philosophy & Art. This story is a study of the two approaches to life, the active vrs the passive. I'm a big fan of Herman Hesse's work, and this book is an uncomfortable work, but probably his best.
January 2, 2026
You know it's a good book when, even after several months of finishing it, you still think about it! Herman Hesse is a phenomenal writer, I think this story is now an integral part of me. Really recommend it.
Read
February 13, 2009"art was a union ... of mind and blood. It might start in utter sensuality and then lead to total abstraction, then again it might originate in pure concept and end in bleeding flesh."
September 28, 2012
SO far so good :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews