NARZISS AND GOLDMUND
Hermann Hesse
Condition: Good to very good. Light age toning typical of Penguin Modern Classics editions of the period; spine firm, text clean and complete.
About the Book
Set in medieval Germany, Narziss and Goldmund tells the story of two men whose intertwined lives represent the dual nature of human existence: the intellectual and the sensual, the spiritual and the earthly. Narziss, a brilliant teacher at the monastery of Mariabronn, foresees that his favourite pupil, Goldmund, will not remain confined to the life of the scholar. Goldmund soon leaves the cloister, embarking upon a wandering life of passion, art, and self-discovery his journey taking him through plague, love, and loss as he searches for beauty and meaning in a transient world.
Often interpreted as an allegory of Hesses own divided temperament the ascetic versus the artist the novel explores the tension between discipline and desire, mind and body, spirit and flesh. Its philosophical depth and symbolic imagery make it one of Hesses most enduring works, a meditation on creativity, mortality, and the pursuit of wholeness.
This Penguin Modern Classics edition features cover art adapted from Caspar David Friedrichs The Abbey Under the Oaks, reflecting the books atmosphere of spiritual solitude and romantic decay.
About the Author
Hermann Hesse (18771962), German-born poet, novelist, and essayist, received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1946. His works including Steppenwolf, Siddhartha, and The Glass Bead Game explore the individuals quest for authenticity and self-realization amidst the conflicting demands of culture, religion, and instinct.
