34 pages • 1 hour read
Journey to the East
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
128
Novella • Fiction
Europe • 1920s
1956
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Hermann Hesse's Journey to the East, the narrator H.H. recounts his participation in a mystical journey as a member of the enigmatic League. The group's purpose and destination remain elusive, and H.H. struggles with his memory and writing. When a servant named Leo disappears, the group disintegrates. Later, H.H. encounters Leo again, revealing Leo's true significance and prompting H.H. to confront his own faith and purpose.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Fantastical
Reviews & Readership
15,852 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Journey to the East by Hermann Hesse is lauded for its spiritual depth and philosophical insight, offering readers a profound exploration of personal growth and collective striving. However, some critics find the narrative abstract and challenging to penetrate. Despite this, the novel's rich symbolism and reflective nature make it a treasured read for thoughtful audiences.
Who Should Read Journey to the East?
A reader who enjoys reflective and philosophical exploration akin to Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse or the spiritual journey in The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho would appreciate Journey to the East. This reader values profound narrative mysticism, historical allegory, and introspection into the quest for meaning.
15,852 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Leo
Leo
Initially presented as a servant to the journeying group, whose pleasant disposition belies a more significant role in the unfolding events of the story.
Lukas
Lukas
A historian and author who aids H.H. by sharing insights from his own experiences with writing about history, emphasizing perseverance and the nature of memory.
128
Novella • Fiction
Europe • 1920s
1956
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.