Hermann Hesse Books
Find all the books by Hermann Hesse including his popular novels, essays and poetry collections at Barnes & Noble. If you’re looking for the answers to all your existential questions, then Hermann Hesse’s books may steer you in the right direction. We can’t promise that all of your curiosities will be satisfied, but Hesse’s well-known books like Siddhartha and Steppenwolf dive into age-old existential themes like spiritual enlightenment, self-discovery and the duality of human nature. These types of books make you question not only your own identity but societal norms, the importance of art and creativity and more.
As an author famous for books that explore the meaning of life and investigate the human condition, Hesse’s writing bares ideas from Eastern and Western philosophies including Buddhism, Hinduism and Christian theology. Celebrated and admired by many like-minded literary figures such as Carl Jung, Thomas Mann and Rainer Maria Rilke, Hesse’s major works like his 1930 novel, Narcissus and Goldmund , are enjoyed by a wide audience. This rich narrative perfect for readers who are fans of beautiful prose, follows the ins and outs of an unlikely friendship between two men of opposite character whose connection is able to survive despite their very different life paths.
Whether you’re curious about Hesse’s philosophical poems, or you are trying to decide which Hermann Hesse novel to start with, browse our extensive collection of his work. Not sure which Hermann Hesse book to read first? Since making the choice can be a little intimidating, we recommend his short introspective novel, Demian , which follows a young man, Emil Sinclair on a personal-growth journey guided by a charismatic and unconventional classmate, Max Demian, whose influence has a striking impact on him.
Although Hesse was a well-known author in the German-speaking world, his books did not gain popularity in the United States until several years after his death in 1962. Today, Hermann Hesse’s books appeal to an eclectic audience, especially college students and people who are coming-of-age and becoming curious about where they fit into the world around them. Many seasoned Hermann Hess fans even suggest re-reading his enlightening books like Siddhartha , because this rewarding experience can bring forth different insights at various stages of life.
Hermann Hesse’s Famous Quotes
“Learn what is to be taken seriously and laugh at the rest.”
“Some of us think holding on makes us strong but sometimes it is letting go.”
"I live in my dreams — that's what you sense. Other people live in dreams, but not in their own. That's the difference.”
“Without words, without writing and without books there would be no history, there could be no concept of humanity.”
“If you hate a person, you hate something in him that is part of yourself. What isn't part of ourselves doesn't disturb us.”
Why did Hermann Hesse write Siddhartha?
Siddhartha, Hesse’s brilliant narrative written as part of his own spiritual journey, centers on the search for self-realization and how to find inner peace amidst external turmoil. This is a beautiful read about the shackles of earthly riches and how one man learns to free himself.
What book did Hermann Hesse win the Nobel Prize for?
Although Hermann Hesse won the 1946 Nobel Prize in Literature for the literary quality and deep philosophical exploration of his entire body of work instead of one specific novel, his final book, The Glass Bead Game, played an instrumental role in the jury's decision.
Our List of 10 Bestselling Hermann Hesse Books
