Demian: The Story of a Youth Paperback – May 18, 2011

I ordered this book a few months ago, because of BTS and I am so glad I did, because it is an amazing book. The book isn't too long, so even those who aren't big fans of reading are able to do so. However, there are some big words within the book that you may have to Google the definition of. The book is relatively cheap, so it's a good buy. The story line of this book keeps you wondering and keeps you wanting to read more.The book takes place in Germany, around the first half of the 1900s. The story follows a boy named Sinclair who starts off as a smart, innocent little kid, and it basically follows him throughout his life. It includes him falling into temptation and falling away from tranquility and sameness. It begins as he is caught in a lie, that's where his life kind of flips upside down.If you listen to BTS, you will notice a lot of little references within the book that correspond to the WINGS short films. This makes the book that much more interesting because you try to connect each chapter and its details with the little things that some may overlook in the WINGS videos. It's also easier to understand the fan theories if you read this book.If you have never listened to BTS or don't know who that is, this is still a good book for you. It keeps you guessing. I'm usually the person who can figure out the ending of a book/movie before it ends; Not this book. This is one of those books that gets you thinking about yourself and about life. So I would 10/10 recommend you to read this book.

Thanks BTS for quoting this great book!!! Everyone should read it, it will change your perspective on alot of things. Very well written :3

This has become my new favorite book. It is one of the most relatable things I have ever read and had me saying "same" on every page. It perfectly captures the struggle of growing up and finding yourself. It is beautiful and inspiring.For those wondering why so many of the reviews mention "BTS," it is because they are a group who released music videos/songs inspired by Demian, which influenced many of the fans to read the book. I'm so happy to have read it. It is such a wonderful journey.

I love classical books, and when I found out where bts got alot of the concepts for the wings era, I was very intrigued on buying this. The book is great, it teaches a very good lesson, the metaphors are fantastic as well. If you are only buying the book because of namjoon's dialogue from the bs&t mv and the wings short films however, don't buy this version. It is revised differently than the version that namjoon was quoting, such as "the realms of day and night", quotes like that are not in this copy. Still a fantastic book, definitely worth the read.

BTS recommended, read it loved it. I has read Siddartha a few years back and loved it as well, life changing book. I read Demian and enjoyed it so mujch. I identified with Emil s angst and confusion. Very nice book for anyone who wants to learn to accept themselves.

I got it because I'm BTS trash but omg it's kind of a slow read, it took me all day just to read one chapter, it is interesting though.

This book is an enchanting piece of work . Crafted like an autobiography , it's an introduction to a new philosophy of life , just like Ayn Rand,s works - quite original whether one agrees with it totally or not . This book takes us thru the journey of protagonist Sinclair through his childhood to youth ; led by a compelling desire to identify and live by the calling of his true inner self . He questions existing ethos, ideals, way of life , even Gods - and finds as though by destiny the guides who reaffirm his views and lead him to his destiny . Demian is one of the guides who Sinclair feels irresistible attracted to from the time they first met in school , till the end when they both merge into each other and symbolically become one. Author contests several of the strongly held views of early 19th century society in Europe . Religion is a constant theme throughout and it's dealt with rather beautifully . Christianity is not condemned out rightly nor is any other religion or cult . There is unlimited freedom to choose what one wants to be , what one wants to think and do ; only right thing being true to oneself and ones innermost urges. Morals, guilt, sin, sex all those things that caused conflict have been dealt with single minded belief in the fact that one must question the myths , one must follow what his destiny directs him to without a care if it's right or wrong . Aithor suggests that collective unconscious - all the knowledge that exists in this world is within each one of us . The whole world that we see outside , with it's beauty and ugliness is inside us . The world , mankind , all the living creatures are in constant state of evolution and change and evolution is the only constant . Human beings in their ignorance live in happy pasts and want to preserve the status quo at any cost . They are afraid of change , afraid of looking inwards and finding their true calling . That's because each one of us has a unique destiny to fulfill and if one was to choose that he has to do it alone . That goes against the feeling of security the society and community provides , which lures men to give up their destinies and join the herd . There are a few , those who feel compelled to find the purpose of life . These people do not resist new ideas , change but just submit themselves to the destiny and become the instruments of fate . These are the people through which change is carried forwards , like baby in the wombs of fertile mother . Author has used a lot of symbolism throughout the story . Damien , the lifelong guide of protagonist is ageless , constant and self assured - just like the eternal truth . Young boy Sinclair feels torn between the two world one of which is the all good family and another dark world where all the evils like theft, alcohol , murder , sex took place . He constantly flits back and forth into these symbolic worlds, trying to find his anchoring . At every tough turn when life seems to come crashing down he finds a person , a dream , a symbol that opens a new vista in front of him and leads him . Hero also swings between the extremes of love - desire for flesh vs pure spiritual love . He fall in love with an image that combines his mother and his guide Demian ; man and woman ; good and evil . And then quite symbolically that image turns out to be that of Demian.s mother. No love is forbidden if that's what is one,s innermost feeling dictates . Keeping with the mores of 19th century society everything is made symbolical but it's evident that author delves into bisexuality , incest and Oedipal complex. So why is the book named Demian ? Who is he ? Demian is the inner voice of every man . The inner voice that finds us at every difficult step and guides us to our unique destiny . Sinclair found Demian and they merged into each other symbolically as well - when Sinclaire went inside himself and looked into the dark mirror of his soul and Saw the image of Demian .The setting of this book precedes world war 1 . As the war starts people submit themselves to their destiny and fight . Author has a very interesting view about war itself . War is symbolised as an instrument of change , something predestined and essential . The recurring symbol of bird hatching from egg and destroying the egg in the process is used to convey the message that for something new to be born the old must be destroyed .Early 19 century Europe was home to many new ideologies like those of Tolstoy and Neitszke . Herman Hesse had his own and it is quite appealing .

Just finished reading Demian by Hermann Hesse. I think Koreans would love this book as it is not only a bildungsroman (coming of age) novel about the protagonist, Emil Sinclair, but also a bildungsroman story of a country embracing the new as in the pitfalls of the Korean "miracle". Also, each one of us could stand to meet a Demian. One thing that bothers me is how Demian really dealt with Kromer. I think it was more than what he told Sinclair. Awesome book!

Hesse inverts the meaning of several bible stories as he turns morality on its head in his diabolical vision of a Nietzschean world.Demian is Hesse's demonic hero, who's rejection and contempt for Christian morality is portrayed uncritically as something to be admired. Gradually his lessons in evil corrupt his young friend, and - one presumes - Hesse's readers, if they are not wary.This is a very good book, but also a dangerous one. It bears some of the intellectual seeds of the madness that overtook the world in the first half of the twentieth century. Handle with care.

This masterpiece by Herman Hesse is far more than just a coming of age story. In a broad sense, it is a book dealing with the collapsing era of Christianity which preceded the first world war, developing ideas on Nietzsche, Mysticism and the fascination with war, destruction and a New Way. One is left with a sense of grief at the conclusion of this short but powerful story, for it posits so much hope for the future, for new ideas and new paths. However, as we all know, what followed was an even greater war, further confusion and absurdity... Hitler, Stalin, Mao.

I bought this book because it was recommended by a friend, and I was more than a little shocked when I finished it in less than a day.Not sure if it was the lowkey romance between the two characters, or the intriguing ideas presented in it, or the conciseness of the plot that made me feel most happy after I read it, however I would definitely recommend this to anyone curious about mental wellbeing. The way it's written is extraordinarily beautiful and elegant.And as for the physical book's quality: it's okay. My hands were stained blue after I read it, though that's probably because I held it too often lolAnyways read it!! It's good.

I love reading Hermann Hesse books. This book is very special in the sense that it gives insight to the author's chilhood and youth. It explains a great deal about his books like Steppenwolf and Narcissus and Goldmund. I enjoyed his honest style. I recomend it to anyone who wants to know more about this author.

BTS is known for being inspired by thought-provoking books in their concepts and their album Wings and lead single uses Demian as its backdrop. I've always wanted to decode their concept and I finally can! (I gave this book 4 stars because the font size was small. However, the content is the same as few other publishers.)Highly recommend Demian and their music video Blood, Sweat and Tears!