September 24, 2002

"Steppenwolf" by Hermann Hesse: Now this is what it's all about. It's rare that 70 Proof encounters a work of such importance. Literature at its finest; provocative, meaningful, significant.

The book opens with a young man informing the reader of an unusual character that rented a room from his aunt. The renter, Harry Haller, is about 50, quiet, unassuming, and strangely unique. Through the course of their living across the hall from one another, the young man and Harry become acquainted and partake in the occasional conversation, discussing various intellectual pursuits. But Harry's full measure is never taken. He soon moves out, yet leaves a manuscript behind for the young man. This manuscript is then provided to the reader, introducing us to the Steppenwolf.

Harry's manuscript tells of his time living with the young man and his aunt; how he spent his days and waking nights. Harry is the Steppenwolf, a wolf of the steppes, a name given to himself to represent his dual nature as both an ordinary man and a man of desire, for pleasure, truth, and individuality. Harry feels alone in the world. Things that matter most to men fail to register within him. He is of greater concerns. It's the timeless conflict between the artist, thinker and his uncaring realm. In Harry's own words:

"... And in fact, if the world is right, if this music of the cafes, these massed enjoyments and these Americanized men who are pleased with so little are right, then I am wrong, I am crazy, I am in truth the Steppenwolf that I often call myself; that beast astray who finds neither home nor joy nor nourishment in a world that is strange and incomprehensible to him."

While roaming the streets one night, Harry notices an old stone wall that is no longer bare, as it had been in the past, but blazing with letters announcing "Magic Theater. Entrance Not for Everybody." Attempts to enter a nearby door are blocked. As he turns to leave Harry sees the letters have changed. "For Madmen Only."

A few days later Harry encounters a man on the street carrying a placard proclaiming "Anarchist Evening Entertainment. Magic Theater. Entrance Not for Everybody." Harry asks the man how to get to the show and is answered with, "Not for everybody." Harry's attempts to gain any further information are thwarted. The man does, however, give Harry a book before making a speedy retreat. It's not until he returns home and puts on his reading glasses that Harry notices that the funny little book which he had written off as nothing more than a cheap effort of solicitation is in fact entitled "Treatise on the Steppenwolf." Its pages tell Harry's life story, explaining everything yet creating even more questions.

The impact of the treatise leaves Harry reeling. Miserable and lost as ever, Harry dreads going home after one of his nightly walks in fear of the sure suicide that awaits him. He takes refuge in a dance hall and meets the lovely Hermine, a woman of tremendous beauty and surprising insight. Harry is immediately captivated. She promises to show him how to live as long as he vows to dutifully follow her every command. He agrees; anything to keep her company. Hermine plans to lead Harry into all the pleasure that life has to offer, but the journey will have its cost.

"Steppenwolf" is astonishing. It deals with the nature of man and reality. It's not so much about depression as it is about learning how to live life and discovering your true self. Please, do yourself a favor and read this book. Now! What are you waiting for? Go!

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"The Snows of Kilimanjaro and Other Stories" by Ernest Hemingway: This collection of short stories features the usual crisp, concise Hemingway prose. Nothing gets wasted.

The most famous of the stories is, of course, "The Snows of Kilimanjaro," which tells of a man and woman vacationing in Africa when the man is stricken with gangrene in his leg after a mere thorn scratch becomes infected. Stranded in the middle of nowhere, the man has nothing to do but reflect on his past life while he gradually succumbs to death. It's good stuff.

The story is also infamous for Mr. Hemingway's veiled swipe at F. Scott Fitzgerald. During one of his flashbacks the man recalls:

"... poor Julian (Fitzgerald) and his romantic awe of them (the rich) and how he had started a story once that began, 'The very rich are different from you and me.' And how someone had said to Julian, 'Yes, they have more money.' But that was not humorous to Julian. He thought they were a special glamorous race and when he found they weren't it wrecked him just as much as any other thing that wrecked him."

It may not seem like much, but Mr. Hemingway's inclusion of the above statement caused quite the stir back in the day. Oddly enough, I have a similar theory about wealth. Except I believe that the very poor are different than me. Because, well, they have more money.

Aside from the title story, the only other truly memorable tale is "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber." Once again the setting is Africa. Mr. and Mrs. Francis Macomber are on safari and have hired a professional hunter, Robert Wilson, to show them the ropes. Everything is going fine until Francis turns coward when faced with a wounded, charging lion, causing his wife to lose all remaining respect for him. The incident forces Francis to reexamine his life and sparks a remarkable transformation in the once timid man, albeit a brief one. The story itself is easily on par with "Snows" if not better.

Also of note are "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place," a touching take on loneliness and aging; "A Day's Wait," featuring a young boy that matures greatly in the face of imagined death; and "Fifty Grand," an ironic look at prize fighting.

Overall, this is a swell read, but in the world of short stories it's not Dorothy Parker good or "Nine Stories" good.

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