Rough as Hesse-ian
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Hesse's haunting brilliance illuminates these twenty-two tales which touch on matters as diverse as war and the lure of indulging the flesh. With a range that dazzles, Hesse displays all the common themes from his major works without compromising the intensity of feeling inspired by a protracted period of depression following the separation from his wife. However, the translation is indeed clumsy in places.
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Unusual themes, a small history
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Hesse is one of those writers who seem to write the same book in a dozen different ways - and yet you still want to read them. This collection of short stories shows a wider range - and some of the youthful experiments of the brilliant Hesse. There are haunting, amusing and bizarre tales - and yes, some that miss the mark but are interesting nonetheless for showing the growth of an author.
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The translation was a bit of a downer.
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The art work is very tasteful but I find the translation slightly disappointing. Having read Hesse's fairy tales and legends in German as well as 'Strange news from another star', which contains about 10 fairy tales and short stories, I think that this book's translation doesn't do Hesse's romantic and at times poetic style of writing justice. I suppose that is is impossible to capture any writer's original tone and style in a translation but in a way it appears to me that Jack Zipes either hasn't read the originals properly ('properly' properly) or couldn't be bothered to get subtleties across. It almost becomes apparent when comparing either versions of 'Augustus' and while 'Strange news from another star' allows the reader access to the character's sensual world (especially when he spends time at his godfather's house) Jack Zipes in a way puts you into the position of a not-involved third party or an on-looker. Just one example but in my opinion representative for the whole book (or both).
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wonderful
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wonderful
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Excellent Short-Story Collection
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After reading several of Hermann Hesse's novels, I saw this book in a local bookstore and, admittedly attracted at first by it's lovely cover, I decided to purchase it. And what a joy it was to read! It provides a nice selection of Hesse's short-stories, in very readable translation. I'm very happy that I bought it, and I think that it is a must-have for anyone who wants a good introduction to Hesse's short stories. Includes the memorable story "Iris".
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