Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
So, I decided this would be an early birthday present to myself and managed to finish it the day before my birthday. So mission accomplished.
I’d never read Hesse before, so this was uncharted territory. This book kind of scared me in the way that I believe I understood Haller’s struggle against the frivolous aspects of life all too well. I, too, turn my nose up in response to certain songs played, it’s difficult to make me laugh, et cetera. Bottom line, I’m serious like Haller. Perhaps too serious.
But this isn’t about me.
Haller’s struggle kind of reminded me of Charlie Gordon’s discovery of life’s pains and pleasures after the operation he had. I saw similarities in the way they were presented and it warms my heart to think that Keyes may have used a similar presentation with his own character, like how Haller learned to dance reminded me of how Charlie learned to dance.
I’ll admit, at first this book was confusing. However, when I got to the chapters with Hermine, the masked ball, and the magic theatre “for madmen only” I felt like I understood the story. My point here is that you need to have patience with a story like this. It’s not one that will grab you, it’s one that will gradually grow on you. 
Categories
Review: Steppenwolf
The Writer's Library 