Steppenwolf

By: Hermann Hesse

Narrated by: Peter Weller

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Harry Haller is a sad and lonely figure, a reclusive intellectual for whom life holds no joy. He struggles to reconcile the wild, primeval wolf and the rational man within himself without surrendering to the bourgeois values he despises. His life changes dramatically when he meets a woman who is his opposite, the carefree and elusive Hermine.

With its blend of Eastern mysticism and Western culture, Steppenwolf, Hesse' best-known and most autobiographical work, originally published in English in 1929, continues to speak to our souls as a classic of modern literature.

©1927 S. Fischer Verlag A. G., Berlin. Renewal copyright 1955 Hermann Hesse. English translation copyright B 1929 Henry Holt and Company. Renewal copyright 1957 Hermann Hesse. Revised translation copyright 1963 Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, Inc. Author's note copyright 1961 Suhrkamp Verlag, Frankfurt Am Main (P)2008 BBC Audiobooks America

Diff Btwn Literature & Entertainment Only

I've answered this now-cliche question to my satisfaction in a couple ways, but nothing beats a great example, and this is one of them. I can see where it's not for everyone at every time, but I was so glad I stuck it out (the beginning was a little slow in parts). And I don't believe it could have been read any more perfectly. Please put me on the list of people who want to be notified when any audiobooks with Peter Weller as Narrator are released. Thank you!

Pasionate!

A great narration for a great book. No doubt its a book to read several times through your life...

Beautiful novel beautifully read

It is difficult to do justice to this complex story with its many layers of meaning, but this presentation is truly extraordinary. Many parallels with our own time make Steppenwolf as relevant now as when it was written.

great story, well told

Would you listen to Steppenwolf again? Why?

yes, but I won't wait the 40 plus years it has been since I 1st read it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Harry Holler

Which character – as performed by Peter Weller – was your favorite?

Harry Holler

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no, it is too dense for taking in all in one dose. I preferred listening in several installments

Any additional comments?

There is a lot to reflect on in this work.

Captivating

Captivating story has caught my attention from beginning to end. Good narration and worth the purchase.

A good redition of a classic.

A good redition of a classic. You will need to look at several discussions of this before you begin to get what is going on. Much of it is surreal and you end up wondering if some of the main characters are more allegorical than flesh and blood.

Overlooked for the Title

Would you consider the audio edition of Steppenwolf to be better than the print version?

Since I haven't read the print version, I cannot compare, but on the other hand, having listened to quite a few audio books, I believe this to be a very good preformance, easy to follow and the monotone voice of the narrator suited the mood of the book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Steppenwolf?

Lots of these, mainly the way his charactor is describing his own thoughts, I think I have often felt the same way, as many people probably have, but we don't have the courage to act on them.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Mallor went with new friends to a party, he felt out of place and at that moment realized how much even the normal activities of others left him indifferent and unmoved.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When he realized his dance partner was the one person who understood him, allowing him to discover for himself how he felt about her and relationships.

Any additional comments?

This book does not have a great title, most wouldn't know the meaning in translation, but it is very appropriate after listening to the story. I had known of it's existance as a classic, but until now, was not inclined to read it. I think the audible version would be better for people to understand as the story and the meaning of it, have been debated for years. Most of us could relate to Mallor and I feel Hesse draws attention to many deeper, darker thought processes we all have at one time or another. I enjoyed this book for pealing back and revealing some interesting layers of the human spirit.

*Yawn* Beware the monotone narrator

The story "Steppenwolf" is interesting to me but I could not get deep into the story because of the narrator's extremely monotone and utterly boring voice. Not one I'll be recommending. If you can handle monotone, give it a try. But if you prefer the narrator's to give in to a little drama and help bring the story to life, I suggest you try something else.

Steppenwolf

A good presentation of a classic. I enjoyed it.

Excellent

Deeply original and thought provoking, with spot on narration. Can see the influence on surrealist novels of the 20th century to come. Highly recommended.