Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse
"Steppenwolf" by Hermann Hesse is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story delves into the existential struggles of its main character, Harry Haller, nicknamed the "Steppenwolf," a solitary and intellectually gifted man wrestling with feelings of alienation, despair, and a divided self. The book explores his complex psyche, isolation from society, and search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. Readers interested in deep psychological introspection, inner conflicts, and
explorations of spirituality and modern life may find this work compelling. The opening of "Steppenwolf" presents a preface from an unnamed narrator who was once Harry Haller's lodging neighbor. Through his recollections, we learn about Haller's introverted, highly intellectual, but socially withdrawn nature, as well as the deep loneliness and inner turmoil that define his existence. The main narrative then moves to Haller's own voice, chronicling a day in his life filled with mundane routine, discontent, and the sense of being out of place among ordinary, "bourgeois" society. This sense of alienation culminates in a mysterious encounter with a sign for a "Magic Theatre," promising experiences "not for everybody" and "for madmen only," which sparks a new sense of possibility. The opening concludes with a treatise that philosophically describes Haller's dual nature (half-man, half-wolf), his struggle between intellectual desires and primal instincts, and his broader alienation from the norms of bourgeois society. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Hesse, Hermann, 1877-1962 |
|---|---|
| Translator | Creighton, Basil, 1885-1989 |
| Title | Steppenwolf |
| Original Publication | New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1929. |
| Note | Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steppenwolf_(novel) |
| Note | Reading ease score: 78.2 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read. |
| Credits | Steve Mattern and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PT: Language and Literatures: Germanic, Scandinavian, and Icelandic literatures |
| Subject | Psychological fiction |
| Subject | Germany -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- Fiction |
| Subject | Life -- Fiction |
| Subject | Civilization, Western -- Fiction |
| Subject | Men -- Germany -- Psychology -- Fiction |
| Subject | Intellectuals -- Germany -- Fiction |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 75756 |
| Release Date | Mar 30, 2025 |
| Most Recently Updated | Mar 31, 2025 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 1060 downloads in the last 30 days. |
| Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free! | |
