Gertrude by Hermann Hesse | Book Review

An introvert's tale of love, art, tragedy, and success. It might not be one of Hesse's best novels but it was one that I really did enjoy and I recommend it to all seekers, creatives, or simply people who enjoy feeling deeply about life.

[BenjaminMcEvoy]

Great review, Ryan. You've completely sold it to me. I've felt a sympathy with Hesse ever since reading Siddharta, Demian, and Steppenwolf. I've been haunted by his essay 'O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!' I see him as one who, like Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, was almost too keenly sensitive for life. Suffering runs through his every line. Incredible writer. I'll source out Gertrude! Thanks for the recommendation :)

[ashleymenegon]

I liked it as well my first Hesse book. Some of the descriptions of sadness and heartbreak I really connected with. It reads in this calm and subtle but quite powerful way. Also the description of what seems to be depression that his theologist friend gives, that he again refers to at the end, was very interesting.