The final novel of Hermann Hesse, for which he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1946, The Glass Bead Game is a fascinating tale of the complexity of modern life as well as a classic of modern literature
Set in the twenty-third century, The Glass Bead Game is the story of Joseph Knecht, who has been raised in Castalia, the remote place his society has provided for the intellectual elite to grow and flourish. Since childhood, Knecht has been consumed with mastering the Glass Bead Game, which requires a synthesis of aesthetics and scientific arts, such as mathematics, music, logic, and philosophy, which he achieves in adulthood, becoming a Magister Ludi (Master of the Game).
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"This book changed my life in some subtle way - and, like many others, I've a yearning to live in Castalia though I'd never master the Game. A magisterial translation into English from the Penguin books translator and a tour de force.I've read this several times "
— Amacater (5 out of 5 stars)
“An intricate bildungsroman about humanity’s eternal quest for enlightenment and for synthesis of the intellectual and the participatory life.”
— Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature“While the length may seem daunting, Colacci's voice remains fresh through the 17th CD of this captivating novel.”
— School Library Journal" probably the most intense, hardest books i have read ( along with dosteyevsky but totally worth it "
— Dave, 3/23/2011" Josef Kneht is pretty smart but cant swim. "
— Iazonata, 3/5/2011" As a philosopher, engineer, musician, and general lover-of-knowledge (and Hesse fan), this book left me quite satisfied. There is really nothing typical about this story. Would highly recommend. "
— Evan, 2/11/2011" I read this many years ago. It was a bear to get through and don't know if I got it (whatever it is) but I did enjoy it by the end. It's definitely not for everyone so find it hard to recommend. "
— Jean, 2/8/2011" The greatest of Hesse's great books. "
— M., 1/16/2011" Fantastic post-apocalyptic world. Very interesting. Somewhat spiritual. The demise of the world is not caused by nuclear holocaust like most post-apocalyptic works. It is caused by superficiality in the world. Amazing. "
— Karim, 1/13/2011" A master piece. A captivating game made up with culture's best part. "
— Franck, 12/29/2010Hermann Hesse (1877–1962) was born in Germany and later became a citizen of Switzerland. As a Western man profoundly affected by the mysticism of Eastern thought, he wrote many novels, stories, and essays that bear a vital spiritual force that has captured many generations of readers. In 1946 he won the Nobel Prize for Literature.
David Colacci is an actor and director who has directed and performed in prominent theaters nationwide. His credits include roles from Shakespeare to Albee, as well as extensive work on new plays. As a narrator, he has won numerous Earphones Awards, earned Audie Award nominations, and been included in Best Audio of the Year lists by such publications as Publishers Weekly, AudioFile magazine, and Library Journal. He was a resident actor and director with the Cleveland Play House for eight years and has been artistic director of the Hope Summer Rep Theater since 1992.