A collection of stories which revolve around the themes of spiritual enlightenment, self-discovery, and the search for meaning in life. In it, you will catch glimpses of the seeds which became his widely known titles such as, “Siddhartha,” “Steppenwolf,” and “The Glass Bead Game.” These shorts, as are all Hesse’s works, are deeply influenced by Eastern philosophy, particularly Buddhism and Hinduism, and resonate at a baser level with readers. They are marked by his exploration of profound philosophical and spiritual themes, making his works relevant today as they were in the early 1900’s. Whether you’re interested in the journey of self-discovery or the complexities of the human psyche, Hesse's writings are rich material for contemplation. ( )

1241. Stories of Five Decades, by Hermann Hesse (11 Sep 1973) I read these stories with considerable though varying enjoyment. I read six books by Hesse in the summer of 1972 and decided to read more by him. His prose is--at least in translation--so crystalline it is a joy. Predictably I enjoyed his early stories more than those written later. "Walter Kompff" (1908) tells of a man who runs his father's shop and goes mad. "The Homecoming" (1909) tells of a man who returns to his home town, courts a widow, leaves, and returns for her: a happy ending. Many of the stories are sheerly beautiful. ( )