I once mentioned to a friend of mine that I was determined to read more Hermann Hesse. He enthusiastically told me that I simply must read Beneath the Wheel, that it was by far his favorite book by what turns out to be one of his favorite authors. I had no idea that Hesse was among anyone’s favorite authors, let alone someone I knew, let alone someone I knew who didn’t dress in all black with black earrings and black fingernail polish. (Truth be told, I have no idea why I … [Read more...] about The End of Work
Hermann Hesse
Steppenwolf and You
Herman Hesse, Steppenwolf I read this book a quarter of a century ago, soon after I began serious reading. I think I picked it up at the used book store in Davis, CA, but it may have been at a library book sale. The appeal was obvious: Great Book with the same name as a rock band. So, it must be good, right? I have a vivid memory of being terribly disappointed with the book. There is this guy who is a werewolf, the Steppenwolf, see, and he knows he is a werewolf, and … [Read more...] about Steppenwolf and You
My Daemon Made Me Do It
She Has Funny Cars. Some books are nearly impossible to review. I started listening to Jefferson Airplane’s Surrealist Pillow to help me write this review. That should tell you what is to come. It should probably also make you stop reading. Your mind’s guaranteed/ It’s all you’ll ever need/ So what do you want from Me? Let’s pretend I just said something deep. If you read a book written by a drug-addled 1960’s wannabe poet (I’m looking at you Jackie Kerouac), you … [Read more...] about My Daemon Made Me Do It