This novel is based on Hesse's own experiences of a narrow and uncaring education. Hans Giebenrath is a gifted child and the victim of provincial ambitions. Sent to theological school, the imaginative boy is gradually driven to nervous collapse in a situation from which there seems to be no escape.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
While it is not as fresh as Hesse's first novel Peter Camenzind, as rich and complex as Steppenwolf, or as enlightening as Siddhartha, The Prodigy is still a worthwhile and thought provoking read.
It is set at the beginning of the 20th century and centres on the conflict between freedom and control. By allowing us to see into the life of a talented young prodigy who is slowly being broken by society, the novel forces us to look at ourselves and reflect on how we all, to some extent, have our hopes and dreams twisted by life and other human beings.
As an aside, I prefer the original title, Beneath The Wheel, as I feel it gave a better impression of the grinding that young Hans experiences.
It is set at the beginning of the 20th century and centres on the conflict between freedom and control. By allowing us to see into the life of a talented young prodigy who is slowly being broken by society, the novel forces us to look at ourselves and reflect on how we all, to some extent, have our hopes and dreams twisted by life and other human beings.
As an aside, I prefer the original title, Beneath The Wheel, as I feel it gave a better impression of the grinding that young Hans experiences.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Hesse's critical take on the educational system at the turn of the last century is witty, observant and at time ironic. His hero, Hans Giebenrath, suffers from the pressure piled on to him by his parents and teachers who all believe that a promising student can always - and should always - do more. The pressure leads to a nervous breakdown and eventually to suicidal thoughts.
Given today's educational system and parental pressure to always be better than the Joneses', I felt that this story was ironic in that it is almost 100 years old and yet still rather relevant. If I had read this book 10 years ago, I would have been depressed; or, to be accurate, more depressed than I was at the time.
An excellent read.
Given today's educational system and parental pressure to always be better than the Joneses', I felt that this story was ironic in that it is almost 100 years old and yet still rather relevant. If I had read this book 10 years ago, I would have been depressed; or, to be accurate, more depressed than I was at the time.
An excellent read.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
A lovely romantic little novel about a boy genius who gains admission through his brains alone into the best school in Germany, then finds things don't work out for him. So he comes home to his parents in their Black Forest village, becomes an apprentice mechanic, then tragedy strikes. A very bittersweet little book, impeccably written. This is the second Hesse I've read, after Steppenwolf, which is much later, and this one is more novelistic while Steppenwolf is more of a didactic novel of ideas.
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3.7 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great weight on small shoulders..
Fantastic early short novel about the follies of education and the pressures of expectation, reflecting to some extent Hesse's experiences of childhood and the education... Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2010 by MR Caspar Sewell
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE PRODIGY = BEANEATH THE WHEEL.
As another reviewer warns at the end of their review: If you have the book " BENEATH THE WHEEL ", do not buy this one, as it is the same book under another title. Read more
Published on 28 Nov 2009 by Thanadaraya
5.0 out of 5 stars
Moving
It takes a nervous breakdown for Hans to escape his oppressive upbringing as a boy genius and stumble delirious into a dreamlike first taste of life's simple pleasures. Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2001 by JB
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