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  • Narcissus and Goldmund

  • By: Hermann Hesse
  • Narrated by: Simon Vance
  • Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (216 ratings)
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Narcissus and Goldmund

By: Hermann Hesse
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Summary

Narcissus and Goldmund is the story of a passionate yet uneasy friendship between two men of opposite character. Narcissus, an ascetic instructor at a cloister school, has devoted himself solely to scholarly and spiritual pursuits. One of his students is the sensual, restless Goldmund, who is immediately drawn to his teacher's fierce intellect and sense of discipline. When Narcissus persuades the young student that he is not meant for a life of self-denial, Goldmund sets off in pursuit of aesthetic and physical pleasures, a path that leads him to a final, unexpected reunion with Narcissus.

©1957 Herman Hesse (P)2009 BBC Audio

What listeners say about Narcissus and Goldmund

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Compelling listening, beautiful in parts

Impressive novel written in the '30s. Compelling listening with nuanced reference to sexual denial and abuse, trust, and power in relationships. Disturbing in many dimensions, not always satisfying, but nevertheless compulsive listening especially as the naive Goldmund leaves the Cloister only to engage in compulsive sexual and other exploits, at times exploitative... These are counterposed with the introspective ascetic life of his friend Narcissus and the inward looking world he inhabits.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Life Changing Moments

I first read this book 40 years ago, and it had a monumental effect on me. Listening to it again has been wonderful. I don't normally go in for recommending books to other people, but I would cheerfully encourage you to read this one.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A beautifully read story of manly love

Narcissus, somewhat inappropriately named, was for me not a fully formed character: and as such less interesting. The story really centres on Goldmund, and his wanderings wonderfully evoke the late medieval period in Central Europe.
I first read this as a young man and was deeply impressed. Forty years later, Hesse’s philosophical thoughts seem somewhat shallow and as such, a little tedious.
Nonetheless I recommend this book.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I will come back to this again and again

beautifully written and I so look forward to returning to it in future. the performance was talented and thoroughly enjoyable.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Uninspiring and tediously laboured

What disappointed you about Narcissus and Goldmund?

It is stuck uncomfortably between a grounding in reality and allegory. The characters are neither realistic nor likeable.

Has Narcissus and Goldmund put you off other books in this genre?

No, I am a fan of Hesse and have enjoyed many of his books. I wrote a detailed review on Amazon on why this one failed for me.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The first quarter is quite good. It declines from then on

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The themes addressing the meaning of life, spirituality and rejection of the material.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Deeper.than The Glass Bead Game.

Wonderful. Life.brought to.life. I read it as a seventeen year old and heard it as a seventy two year old. Now I understand it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

My first listen to Herman Hesse

I enjoyed the pace and the telling of this beautiful journey through a life. I will read more Hesse now.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Compelling characters and plot

I first read this book around 40 yeats ago and I remember enjoying it. Today, it feels dated and overly romantic but still compelling.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A beautiful story and a joy to listen

I find the voice and style of narration very appropriate for this book. To me, it was an en enjoyable experience

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The Most Beautiful Book

I first read Narcissus and Goldmund when I was 19. Now fifty years later, I have revisited these words. Such was their impact I grew tearful as they drew to a close. I can barely believe Hesse’s central character Goldmund is fictional, I think he might be myself and his life journey my own. This is the most beautiful book I know.

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