The Seasons of the Soul: The Poetic Guidance and Spiritual Wisdom of Hermann Hesse Paperback – October 11, 2011

Grateful to be able buy this title in large print. Nice light paper and dark printing make this edition very readable.

Not a "complete poems" volume--which would be very nice to have, but which I don't think exists yet!--but a nice compilation which takes poems written all throughout Hesse's life, and presents them in a very non-chronological sequence, but put into sections according to themes.The title is a little pompous, making it seem like Hesse was an enlightened teacher gazing down upon humanity--which he would disagree with, and which his best poems dispute--in fact making him to appear like the pompous old image of Goethe which he so criticized in his classic STEPPENWOLF novel--but the contents are very good.It has been argued that some of these English translations seem "New Age-y" in a bad sense, vague and pontifical. I think this was just a tendency of Hesse--who loved nature--and not the fault of the translator; other, earlier translations also seem to have presented this tendency in some of Hesse's poetry. And it's not *bad*, just uninteresting at times. But Hesse at his best--and there are many examples of that in this book--is very edifying and beautiful to read.

This short book is well structured, with an informative and detailed introduction to each section of poems. Each of these excellent introductions give an intimate sense of Hesse the poet, his passions and his torments.The poems that follow were, like most poetry volumes, made up of verses that resonated deeply with me, and others that were interesting to read. Each reader would, I'm sure, find their own favourite poem.Some of the poems were, unexpectedly, less lyrical than I expected from a mystical poet. Perhaps some essence was lost in translation (always a difficult task) or perhaps this is Hesse's Germanic voice - rather sombre and heavier in tone than other mystical poets such as Yeats, Rilke, Kabir or Gibrain.Overall, this book is very good. The introductory pieces followed by a selection of poems grouped into common themes (Love, Inspiration, Nature, Dialogue with Divine and Seasons of Life) made this easy to read and accessible. The poems in the section on The Seasons of Life and the Passage of Time are particularly moving.

I had the pleasure of reading this slim bound volume of Herman Hesse’s poems recently in the local library and simply had to purchase a copy of my own. I had read Herman Hesse when I was a teenager but it is the beautiful and sensitive translation of these poems by Ludwig Max Fischer that helped me to once more appreciate the depth and boldness of Hesse’s writing. The poems in this edition are divided into five sections roughly corresponding to the topics of love, inspiration, finding meaning, the divine and growing old. Each candid poem resonated deeply as now I read it not only admiring the beauty and power of the poems but from experiences encountered and memories accumulated. What is so moving is the poems speak a universal language of thoughts, emotions, questions, doubts, resolutions that transcend time, space and culture. I find this a book for those not only seeking inspiration but who enjoy the beauty of language and imagery as solace for the soul.

An Indescribably Sensual, Spiritually Masterpiece! One of the best Poetic books EVER!

I immensely love this book of poetry......He writes through the lens of love and loss, ecstasy and agony which is deeply felt and relatable if you've experienced these emotions in your own life.........Each entry is a reflection of his life and the life of all that have struggled with making sense of it. He's at the edge of being an untethered soul as are many of us......I'm continually amazed at the depth of his reflections and how they touch me.......A+

Weary sad greetings fill me with some comfort . Death as a goal in these hymned words come a march, a dirge?not un hopeful . Human , inner musings. A relief from frivolity in the social sphere.