Narcissus and Goldmund

De: Hermann Hesse

Narrado por: Simon Vance

Narcissus and Goldmund is the story of a passionate yet uneasy friendship between two men of opposite character. Narcissus, an ascetic instructor at a cloister school, has devoted himself solely to scholarly and spiritual pursuits. One of his students is the sensual, restless Goldmund, who is immediately drawn to his teacher's fierce intellect and sense of discipline. When Narcissus persuades the young student that he is not meant for a life of self-denial, Goldmund sets off in pursuit of aesthetic and physical pleasures, a path that leads him to a final, unexpected reunion with Narcissus.

©1957 Herman Hesse (P)2009 BBC Audio

A classic by Herman Hesse

This book is certainly a most read. The nuances and parrelle meaning throughout the book is astonishing.

Gentle thoughtful journey

This is a beautiful and evocative book. Presenting thought and emotion in a gentle and lush narrative tale.

Sidhartha in Western Guise

Not as in the American West/Western, but the Western Hemisphere. Goldmund is the Sidhartha-like character, except Goldman does no achieve enlightenment per se. Goldmund is more existential and hedonistic. Narcissus does achieve religious enlightenment in the Catholic sense. Goldmund is the primary character, the protagonist, if you will. He could even be an anti-hero.
Narcissus appears at the beginning and end of Goldmund's life and wanderings. Theirs is an enduring, passive, and spiritual love.
Narcissus' name is changed to John when he takes his priestly vows (also an allusion to Jesus' disciple "whom he loved")...for everyone except Goldmund, who interchanges Narcissus and John briefly, but in the end, he is once again Narcissus to Goldmund. The names Narcissus and Goldmund are highly symbolic.
The book is a very comfortable read and recommended.

Genius

Devastatingly delicious, profoundly deep, many hours will it take to absorb this tome, to digest the meanings entailed within

excellent !

i extremely enjoyed this book. the narrator has the voice for herman hesse works. my most memorable moment here is when goldmund is pursuing the mistress of the count and the second visit gets found in their castle by the guards. as if he were set up. the moment actually had my heart pounding as if i were in the moment.

second most memorable moment was when goldmund enters the cabin full of dead family members. such a moment takes one a while to accept if at all. even for the reader let alone being there. hesse paints an etchingly vivid canvas for what death looks like in person. that chapter struck me. goldmund analyzes the scene in such a romantic and artistic manner. it opens a door for new ways to look at death. it also left a heavy feeling of awe and confusion and rejection of the scene. you dont want to believe it but here it is. in your face. and goldmund shows you a sense of glory with his imagery.