Knulp: Three Tales from the Life of Knulp

This is technically one of Hesse's "juvenile" works, and from the outset, at least, it lacks the sort of expository brilliance and deep discussion that both Demian and Steppenwolf present. Both of the aforementioned books set the stage for what unfolded in a way that Knulp simply doesn't. Though I've not finished the book yet, there is an undeniable lack of sophistication, from the beginning, that makes what I've read so far seem unappealing. Unfortunately, this may be owing as much to the translation as anything, which is full of numerous, glaring errors. I will update once I'm further in. UPDATE: As the story unfolds, it turns into something truly lovely and masterful, and bears so many of the marks of Hesse's other works. I would dare say that Knulp is, by far, is one of the most lovable, enviable, and beautifully crafted characters I've ever encountered in all my reading. However, though the translation improves in some parts, there are still errors that keep pulling me out of the otherwise delightful and seductive flow of sense.The protagonist Knulp himself, who is at once a consummately light-hearted and a terribly sad tramp, is a man who has no abiding commitments to weigh him down and tame him. In spite of his wily and free roaming nature, his cheerful and cultivated disposition never fails to win the hearts of the Burghers around him, on whose steadfast natures he depends for the meager conditions of his life. Knulp is the consummate bohemian, full of song, poetry and thought. He rarely rests his head the same place with each new night, and yet somehow, he maintains a modicum of modesty, decency and even virtue that makes his charms impossible to refuse. His mastery of etiquette never fails him, and he somehow instinctively knows the exact right time to take his leave, before the weary suffocations and symptoms of respectable bourgeious living lay their claim upon his supremely sovereign existence. In spite of this, his own misgivings about his life reveal, ultimately, that bohemian living is by no means an easy, simple alternative. Rather, it requires sacrifices that - however different - are perhaps equally terrible to what more conventional folk subject themselves to.What strikes me most about this simple, but powerful bildungsroman, is the careful attention put into so many little descriptive details, which only gradually yield to the questions of existence, its meaning and its worth that Hesse is known for discussing. These are details about Knulp's singing and verse, his fondness for dancing, his affections and distaste for various individuals, his reflective awareness of human folly, as well as the pastoral setting the story occurs in. Like Knulp himself, each of these details are somehow as modest as they are compelling, and set the stage for the more serious subject matter in a delightful way. Just like the novella itself, all of these details serve to create a sense of something unique, special and worthy of respect.

This is "Catcher in the Rye" but bent on a self knowledge/spiritual discovery quest. Slim, but full of all the themes of Hesse's big books; a gateway that last a lifetime.

well written story about people in a small village in france and how they related to and resisted their german occupiers in the second world war. the heroine is a brave but bull headed woman whose heroic efforts for the resistance succeed in getting many downed british and american airmen out of occupied france and back into the war in their planes. but her overly emotional and irrational behavior ultimately results in her downfall. her sister, on the other hand, submits meekly to the occupiers at first in an effort to save her home and daughter and with the hopes that her husband, a prisoner of war, will eventually come home and put things right. but as the war progresses and the nazis become more and more intolerable she too becomes part of the resistance and performs some heroic acts of her own. and, both sisters learn things they never knew about the father that they thought had deserted them when his wife (their mother) dies. the book paints a good picture of what the war was like for civilians in small towns.

Reading anything by Herman Hesse is unlike reading anything by anyone else. He has a way to transport the reader to another place, and space, in time. I loved reading him in the 1970’s, and I enjoy reading his works even more now that I’m in my 70s.

Ever since reading Beneath the Wheel in college I've read every Hesse book I could get my hands on. No one gets being human better than he. Knulp is no different. This is a story about a beautiful drifter that has seemingly cruised through life with the gift of being loved by all, all the while the reader can't help but look for the con. There is way more to the titular character than meets the eye, as always with Hesse. Beautifully written as always. Thoughtful, introspective, philosophical.

Hesse is a pleasure to read. Hadn't read him for a long time but he puts you right where the story is. His writing is so clear, simple and insightful imho.

Reading this made me feel good. It is wistful and at the same time sadly comforting. Reading it was kind of like listening to Lt Kije without the wedding and troika.

An interesting review on life and death through the eyes of another charismatic Hesse character. This book is a quick read. It's poetic prose and interesting plot are stimulating and accessible.

Wurde in einem aktuellen Fild auf das Buch aufmerksam gemacht. Sehr schöne empathische Geschichte.