“
And so today I stood again for awhile in front of these pictures and since I felt desolation and boredom and a strong, burning desire to get this whole world of doubtless laudable concerts, gamblers, conventional lovers, and turnip pictures behind me, I shut my eyes and in my heart beseeched God for rescue, for I felt that I was not far from an attack of that deep disillusionment and dull disgust with life which, to my sorrow, always overwhelm me just when I am attempting in all good faith and seriousness to eschew my solitary, hermit ways and share the joys and sorrows of the majority.
—
Excerpt from A Guest at the Spa from Autobiographical Writings by Hermann Hesse
Translated by Denver Lindley
