Narcissus and Goldmund by Hermann Hesse follows Goldmund, a novice monk, who abandons monastic life to seek earthly pleasures and meaning through art and relationships, contrasting with his friend Narcissus's intellectual and ascetic path. The novel delves into themes of duality, aligning with Nietzsche's Apollonian versus Dionysian theory. The story contains instances of sexual assault and anti-Semitism.

- Hermann Hesse wrote Narcissus and Goldmund during a period of retreat in a remote Swiss village, which greatly influenced the novel's themes of introspection and the balance between intellect and emotion.
- Originally published in German in 1930, Hesse experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, partly due to the book's exploration of spiritual and existential themes, resonating with the countercultural movements of the time.
- Narcissus and Goldmund explores themes that reflect Hesse's own life experiences, particularly his internal conflict between pursuing a life of stability and intellect versus one of artistic freedom and emotional fulfillment.

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