The Library Book Club is everybody’s book club. Fancy a refreshing read, a change of scenery and a nourishing encounter? Come and read Steppenwolf with us!
About the book and its author
German-Swiss author Hermann Hesse (1877 – 1962) was well-read during his lifetime in German speaking countries; but his interest in Asian religions, spirituality and psychoanalysis made that he resonated particularly well with a new young generation in the 1960s in the Global North. Many of his books centre an individual’s search for authenticity, self-knowledge and spirituality.
Steppenwolf (1927) is no exception, although compared to his other work, it might be especially personal — if not autobiographical. Written in the period of a three-year marriage with Ruth Wenger in which he found himself driven into isolation and living an increasingly recluse life, Steppenwolf is a compelling account of modernity, alienation and a possibility of transcendence and healing.
Practicalities
- We’ve picked the Penguin Modern Classics edition of 2012 as a reference point (ISBN 9780141192093), so page numbers refer to that edition.
- Each session, we’ll be discussing about a third of the book. During the first session, that’s pages 1 till 70; during the second, pages 71 till 159 (before the asterisk, after “… mentioned in the Steppenwolf tract.”); and during the third from page 159 till 240 (so we include the author’s postscript). Make sure to read these pages beforehand.
- This book club season consists of three biweekly sessions on Tuesdays 8 and 22 September and 6 October; you’re not obliged to participate all sessions.
- The location is the Library Lounge, at the entry of the University Library in the Main Building (HG-01A01).
- There’s no need to sign up. If you’d like to receive updates and to vote for books in the future, you can join the group chat (WhatsApp).
Schedule
5:30 p.m. walk-in: you’re welcome to come in early, to bridge time or to bring and have dinner.
6:15 p.m. opening: we kick off with a round of introductions, and a brief introduction of the book.
6:25 p.m. group discussion: we share our experience and findings reading the book so far.
7:25 p.m. summarising: we look ahead to the next session and summarise today’s session.
7:45 p.m. end or socialising: we end the session, although you’re welcome to stick around until the building closes.
About the Library Book Club
The Library Book Club is for anyone roaming VU’s campus. We read a few books each year, and try to throw something new into the mix each time; passing fiction and non-fiction, poetry and prose, short stories and longer ones along the way. Our librarians select three candidates for a season and you get to vote. If you’d like to engage with this group more often, the easiest way to get involved is through the group chat (WhatsApp). Information on future sessions can be found on our VU webpage.
