Narcissus and Goldmund

By: Hermann Hesse

Narrated by: 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

The story

This is such a good story. The two central characters are such good examples pivoting around concepts that are rarely touched by other writers. very unique!