Rating: 
Summary: An unjustly neglected masterpiece
Review: Like most people, I read Hesse's better known novels like Damien and Steppenwolf first. I found a copy of this at a used book store, bought it, and let it sit on the bookself for a while before actually reading it. Was I surprised - this is one of Hesse's greatest novels. Hesse takes two young men - one devoted to the hermetic religious life and another more into the decadent artistic life - and follows them through adulthood. There are some amazing scenes here - scenes of great artistic creation, a journey through a plague ravaged world, the reunion of the two friends - that rank among the best things Hesse ever wrote. True the characters are more "types" than real three dimensional characters. It is obvious that Hesse wants to examine the spiritual/cerebral approach to existence versus the more artistic/physical approach to life, and to find them both wanting. This is less a slice of life novel than a modern parable. Taken on those terms, this novel is Hesse at the height of his powers and deserves to be better known and read than it currently is.
Rating:
Summary: The Beauty that Aches
Review: _Narcissus and Goldmund_ by Hermann Hesse is the story of two men: one an ascetic scholar, the other a passionate student of life. The book chronicles their fateful meeting, Goldmund's pursuit of truth and beauty, and a final reunion of the two friends late in life. It is quite simply the best book I've read thus far. In it, I find artfully and poignantly demonstrated the central conflict of my life, perhaps of all life: the struggle between the intellect and the emotions. The book is best read as a juxtaposition of both of these motivators in our lives. Narcissus represents pure intellect and reason, while Goldmund represents pure emotion and passion. Neither one could truly exist in the world, but Hesse creates them as archetypes of these two motivators in all humans. The struggles they encounter in understanding each other, and the struggles Goldmund encounters in making sense of the world, help us to better understand these two sides of our own character. The struggle teaches us of the beauty that aches, and friendship that knows no bounds. In this conflict one can ultimately find the beauty of truth, and the truth of beauty.
Rating:
Summary: ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOK - WAS A PROFOUND EPIPHANY
Review: I was first introduced to Hermann Hesse through "Demian" which I enjoyed immensely - I felt as though he understood the mind of the artist. Then one day, I recalled a friend mentioning "Narcissus and Goldmund" in the past - not knowing what it was about, I bought it. Call it impulse or instinct - regardless of how I came across this novel...it made a tremendous impact on my life...how I perceived myself as well as those around me. It made me question what my artistic and physical approach to life was. That was five years ago and to this day, there hasn't been a book that's touched me as deeply nor have I experienced an epiphany as huge as the one I was struck with when I finished the book. The theme that comes across all of Hesse's novels is the road to self-discovery and frankly, having read other popular books by Hesse, none seem to match the profoundness of "Narcissus and Goldmund" or as eloquently written. This book epitomizes the struggle between the mind and the heart. Hesse forces the reader to come to terms with this inevitable conflict and realize that neither is above the other. Actually, both need each other to survive. I will admit that Narcissus and Goldmund are presented as two types of characters - literally. BUT the dimensionality that comes to define the two types as two individuals, are their journeys which, leads to their eventual reunion. It's what wasn't said between Narcissus and Goldmund that allows the reader to analyze and interpret accordingly. Some reviewers have stated that they found this book disappointing because Hesse didn't delve further in defining the essence of life or that it's didactically written. I strongly disagree with both notions - with this novel Hesse points out the subtleties we often miss and poignantly defines how our creative passion needs to be feed...how the love we develop for those we come across in our lives needs to be nurtured...as well as the necessity to be loved by another human being...but more importantly, the certitude in ourselves - to feed the very passion that drives us and ultimately defines us. In this novel, he punctuates things that most are aware of but don't fully recognize. And as simple as it sounds, I truly believe that that, is the philosophy he is trying to convey - nothing less, nothing more. He executes this theory throughout the book with a delicately intricate voice, but one with a deafening roar that will linger in your mind. As much as I loved "Demian", I think "Narcissus and Goldmund" surpasses "Demian" mainly because it has the ability to relate to almost every individual, instead of the exclusiveness or isolation that can arise through one's road to self-discovery. This novel manages to juxtapose the intellectual thinker with the instinctual spirit in the simplest manner while evoking myriad thoughts, forcing you to question and engage yourself to your present surroundings.
Rating:
Summary: A voyage of re-discovery
Review: I first read Narcissus and Goldmund when I was about 20. The conflicts between mind/heart, reason/passion, intellect/emotion were the fulcrum around which my personal voyage of self-discovery turned - at that age. Now, at 42, I have reread this book. I never appreciated the first time 'round that Hess was describing a completed life. I was too fixated on Goldmund's emancipation through travel. But in the end, after his return to the cloister to create true art, Goldmund hit the road again. He tried in vain to recapture youth only to be spurned by Agnes, the woman he considered to be the most beautiful - and the most like himself. This was a classic description of what we now call the "mid-life crisis". Neither Narcissus nor Goldmund ended up truly happy, I believe. But that is not the point at all. There was a mutual recognition of the richness in their separate lives. And there was a love and a respect for those differences. As we all grow up it is these deeper lessons that Hess seeks to impart to us. I'm glad I picked up this excellent book once again and am not surprised to see other reviewers who have done the same with similar results. A book for living dangerously, and fully. DH
Rating:
Summary: ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOK - WAS A PROFOUND EPIPHANY
Review: I was first introduced to Hermann Hesse through "Demian" which I enjoyed immensely - I felt as though he understood the mind of the artist. Then one day, I recalled a friend mentioning "Narcissus and Goldmund" in the past - not knowing what it was about, I bought it. Call it impulse or instinct - regardless of how I came across this novel...it made a tremendous impact on my life...how I perceived myself as well as those around me. It made me question what my artistic and physical approach to life was. That was five years ago and to this day, there hasn't been a book that's touched me as deeply nor have I experienced an epiphany as huge as the one I was struck with when I finished the book. The theme that comes across all of Hesse's novels is the road to self-discovery and frankly, having read other popular books by Hesse, none seem to match the profoundness of "Narcissus and Goldmund" or as eloquently written. This book epitomizes the struggle between the mind and the heart. Hesse forces the reader to come to terms with this inevitable conflict and realize that neither is above the other. Actually, both need each other to survive. I will admit that Narcissus and Goldmund are presented as two types of characters - literally. BUT the dimensionality that comes to define the two types as two individuals, are their journeys which, leads to their eventual reunion. It's what wasn't said between Narcissus and Goldmund that allows the reader to analyze and interpret accordingly. Some reviewers have stated that they found this book disappointing because Hesse didn't delve further in defining the essence of life or that it's didactically written. I strongly disagree with both notions - with this novel Hesse points out the subtleties we often miss and poignantly defines how our creative passion needs to be feed...how the love we develop for those we come across in our lives needs to be nurtured...as well as the necessity to be loved by another human being...but more importantly, the certitude in ourselves - to feed the very passion that drives us and ultimately defines us. In this novel, he punctuates things that most are aware of but don't fully recognize. And as simple as it sounds, I truly believe that that, is the philosophy he is trying to convey - nothing less, nothing more. He executes this theory throughout the book with a delicately intricate voice, but one with a deafening roar that will linger in your mind. As much as I loved "Demian", I think "Narcissus and Goldmund" surpasses "Demian" mainly because it has the ability to relate to almost every individual, instead of the exclusiveness or isolation that can arise through one's road to self-discovery. This novel manages to juxtapose the intellectual thinker with the instinctual spirit in the simplest manner while evoking myriad thoughts, forcing you to question and engage yourself to your present surroundings.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable read if you love Hesse
Review: Narcissus and Goldmund is very similar to Herman Hesse's other novel's including Siddartha and Demian. His theme's and style of writing are clear. Narcissus and Goldmund may not be his best work on the subject of self-discovery, etc., but the novel is still a great read for any fan of Hesse.
Rating: 
Summary: shallow symbolism drags on amid sexual adventures
Review: As a straight novel, Narcissus and Goldmund suffers from very serious defects. The characters are one-dimensional, the setting is vague and unconvincing, and there is almost nothing in the way of believable humanity. These are not necessarily bad, because the book is obviously intended to be a philosophical fable rather than a psychological novel. However, it does not do very well as a work of philosophy, either. The main idea is the notion of duality: male-female, thinker-feeler, abstract-concrete, etc... It can be satisfying on some level to neatly categorize things in this way, but frankly it is neither profound nor particularly useful. Even if it were, that single idea would not justify the length of the book. A short story would have been more appropriate. Even Goldmund's most daring sexual escapades become monotonous after a while, and Hesse clearly didn't give a whole lot of thought to what Narcissus was thinking about during his whole life. This book is a little like Voltaire's Candide - its readability doesn't make up for its lack of substance. At least Candide doesn't take itself so seriously...
I was interested to see mention of Nietzche's Apollo/Dionysius idea in other reviews. I think that is a fascinating and legitimate example of duality, which goes much deeper than anything in Narcissus and Goldmund. It doesn't apply very well to the novel, since art can be both Apollinian and Dionysian - in fact, Goldmund's chosen medium, sculpture, is generally classified as Apollinian.
Narcissus and Goldmund could be a fun read if you want to feel philosophical without any mental effort, but otherwise I wouldn't bother.
Rating:
Summary: A deeply philosophical novel that leaves you pondering ¿
Review: As with most Hesse novels, the storyline in Narcissus and Goldmund too, is an elegantly linear one, with few characters and no tangle of events. Much like tea leaves; it appears light on a perfunctory reading but reveals its deep underlying philosophy only when one attempts to read beyond the written words. This is a tale of two medieval monks at the Mariabronn cloister - Brother Narcissus and his pupil Goldmund - both of whom are on a quest to seek peace and salvation. Though there is a convergence of their ultimate goal, the two strive to achieve it by setting out on two apparently diametrically opposite paths in life. Blessed with a superbly analytical mind guided by intelligence, reason and logic alone, Narcissus is an ascetic of the highest order. He has shunned the world of senses to devote himself completely to the service of God. By contrast, Goldmund's being is dominated entirely by 'feelings', unshackled by the bonds of intellect. He gives up the austere discipline and abstemious cloister life in pursuit of worldly pleasures as also its pains - the realm of the 'Maya'. (Concept of Hinduism wherein Maya refers is the cosmic illusion that creates ignorance and veils the vision of the one Reality.) He becomes a wondering wayfarer, traveling through sun, snow and rain; swamp and peat; hunger and fatigue. This is symbolic of his journey through life itself. Celebrating life in all its facets, he plumbs the depths of lust, wades through snow fields, surviving on frozen, wilted berries, escaping from the jaws of death. He experiences a surfeit of life's every aspect until he feels they no longer bring him happiness. A beautiful wooden statue of Madonna in the 'bishop's city' is a turning point in his life. Its beauty touches him so deeply that it ignites his hitherto dormant creative spark and sets it on fire. Awakened, Goldmund decides to try his hand at sculpting. The experience turns out to be so sublime that he sacrifices his 'freedom' at the altar of creative bliss. He settles down to a sedentary life for a few months, giving his heart, soul and fiber to making wonderfully beautiful wooden figures. While Narcissus represents the masculine mind, Goldmund is the embodiment of all that is feminine- imagination, creation, passion and attachment. The two epitomize the eternal battle between the mind versus the senses, thinker versus the artist. Hesse addresses the perennial question - Which of the two is superior? Which of the two roads is the shorter route to salvation? The book ends on a very touching note. ...
Rating: 
Summary: Knowing Hesse, I expected MUCH more
Review: What I would like to say first is that I adore Hesse. 'The Glass Bead Game' changed my life, and 'Siddhartha', 'Demian' and 'Steppenwolf' were also absolutely great. So, having read all of those and a few other books by Hesse, I expected a GREAT book, especially as 'Narcissus and Goldmund' is one of the most popular of his works. Sad as it is, I was disappointed a great deal. The plot of 'Narcissus and Goldmund' is a bit alike that of 'Demian', which would be great had he wanted to further deepen the search for the essence of all things. However, he only does that in a few places of the book (Goldmund's becoming an artist). The rest of the book lacks... well, it lacks meaning, it seems. As if Hesse had decided to simply write a book about a few things he wanted to say (and does in quite an annoying and didactic way) without a certain 'higher meaning' that runs throughout the book. In other books of his there are few details with no meaning at all; it's the opposite, actually - even the insignificant becomes important. In 'Narcissus and Goldmund', however, there are characters that could easily have not been there and the book would miss nothing either quality- or plot-wise. I think Hesse probably didn't feel the book should be written, but wrote it anyway...
Rating:
Summary: A timeless novel by a literary genius
Review: I first became interested in Hesse after being introduced to his other fantastic novel "Siddarthra" as an assigned text for a Anthropology on religion course. I enjoyed this particular book more than Siddarthra because of its move involved depth & insight into human nature and my increased identification with the character Goldmund as the book progressed. The basic theme of this book deals with the existentalist idea of the individual in an indifferent world; however, in order to make one's lives meaningful one must garner in as much experience with this world as possible - even in the face of the uncanny uncertain nature of the world (Nietzsche's "Yes-saying" philosophy?). This idea is exemplified by the character Goldmund who is contrasted with the character of Narcissus - an ascetic preist who feels that his destiny is to serve God and the church while after he probing his friend Goldmund he realizes that this path is not for for his friend (and perhaps not for himself as he ponders towards the end). From beginning to end I could hardly put this book down regardless of my need for sleep. I highly recommend purchasing this book. Hesse was a masterful literary genius.
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