Rosshalde

Rosshalde by Hermann Hesse was first published in 1914.
The first few paragraphs lay out the theme of the book. Rosshalde was a sprawling and abandoned manor, bought by the artist Johann Veraguth ten years before the story begins. He renovated the place, and built a studio for himself a little away from the manor house. Gradually, he and his wife became estranged, and their two sons suffered. Johann added rooms to his studio, and began to live there. The elder boy, Albert, was sent to boarding school. The younger one, seven-year-old Pierre, lived in the manor house with his mother. Pierre was the bridge between the couple, adored by both, and moving with ease between the two different houses and terrains.
Johann spent most of his time painting, totally absorbed in his work. Yet his love for Pierre was as important, he was determined not to lose the affection of this child, as had happened with his elder son.
One day, and old friend of Johann’s, Otto, comes on a visit. Otto's visit gradually brings about changes in the family. He persuades Johann to leave his unhappy family situation and join him abroad. But before his departure tragedy strikes the family, and the one they love the most, Pierre.
Here Hesse looks at the intricacies of family relationships, and explores the mind of an artist. True to life, there are no happy endings; each person has to find their own answers and their reasons for living.

Knulp

Knulp by Hermann Hesse was first published in German in 1915 during the first World War.
Knulp has three integrated stories. The first is narrated by Knulp himself. He is a wanderer, with no steady job or income, no wife, though he reveals that he does have a child, one whom he can never meet. He has no fixed abode, and walks or travels from one place to another. Yet he likes to dress well, to look neat and presentable, is a good dancer and singer, and can whistle a good tune. He writes poems, has his own ethics, and a soft corner in his heart, specially for women. But above all he values his freedom and space.
Knulp has been ill, and now on a cold and windy night, he reaches the house of his friend Emil Rothfuss, who welcomes him, and offers him food and shelter. Rothfuss has recently married, and after a few days rest there, Knulp moves on. He is unhappy as Rothfuss’s wife desires him, and once again rejoices in his own freedom from the pretences of family life. Before leaving he befriends a lonely young maid, who has recently been employed in a house next door, takes her dancing one night, and through the brief friendship, makes her forget her loneliness for a while.
The second story is by a fellow wanderer, who reveals some other aspects of Knulp, who was always fastiduous in his habits, and did not like to drink much, or be in the company of those who did. After a brief period of travelling together, Knulp quietly left his travelling companion, after the latter drank too much one night.
In the third story, Knulp, though only forty years old, has consumption and is dying. Still travelling on the road, he meets a doctor friend, who takes him to his house, gives him food and shelter, and finds him a place in a hospital, with the hope that he could possibly be cured there. Knulp knows that he cannot be cured, but agrees to everything. He only requests that he be sent to a hospital in his hometown of Gerbersau, a place he longs to see again before he dies.
After reaching Gerbersau he does not go to the hospital, instead visiting the places familiar to him, recreating the ‘mysterious days of his boyhood’, when life was full of potential. His illness is consuming him, and he climbs a hill knowing his end is near. The winter sets in, and he thinks of going to the hospital, but finally does not do so. A snowstorm begins, and as he begins to lose consciousness his past flows before him, and he feels he is having a conversation with God. ‘He was not afraid; he knew that God can do us no harm.’ But, he wonders, couldn’t he have lived differently? Was there a certain point in time when he could have chosen a less futile direction? But God assured him that everything he had done, the way his whole life had been, was fine.
‘ “Look”, said God. “I wanted you the way you are and no different. You were a wanderer in my name and wherever you went you brought the settled folk a little homesickness for freedom.” ’
And soon, life was over for Knulp. ‘He felt the snow lying heavily on his hands, and wanted to shake it off, but the desire to sleep had grown stronger than any other desire.’

Hermann Hesse, A brief biography

A Nobel prize winner, and a great writer whose works are imbued with philosophy, Hermann Hesse was the son of a Protestant Pastor and missionary. Born in 1877 in Wurttemburg, Germany, his books, both fiction and non-fiction represent his thoughts on society in his time. Rejecting academics, Hesse worked as a bookseller, antique dealer and mechanic. Peter Camenzind, his first novel was published in 1904, and after this he devoted his life to writing. In 1919 he moved to Switzerland in a protest against German militarism. There he continued to write, and his other books include Knulp, Rosshalde, Klingsor’s Last Summer, Steppenwolf, Narcissus and Goldmund, Gertrude, Siddhartha, several short stories, and his Nobel award-winning book, Magister Ludi, often translated with the title, The Glass Bead Game. His non-fiction includes If the War Goes On, and several essays and autobiographical writings.
In all his books Hesse emphasises freedom from convention, an exploration of ideas, and a different way of thinking.
Hesse died in 1962.

T

Sue Grafton’s latest book 'T' begins slowly, but soon picks up speed. Solana Rojas is a conwoman who takes on different identities in order both to bolster her ego, a psychological need, and, more important, to make money. Posing as a nurse, she attempts to win the confidence of the relatives of the old, and once she has done this, to gain the property of the old and feeble. As usual, private detective Kinsey Malhone saves the day. Apart from being a good mystery, this book once again reveals Sue Grafton’s attempts to highlight some of the ills of society. She clearly shows how vulnerable old people are, and how difficult it is to get help for them, even in advanced western societies.

Trieu Au, an early woman rebel

Trieu Au, referred to as "the Vietnamese Joan of Arc", led a revolt against the Chinese in her country. She and her army won many battles before their final defeat in 248 CE. She once said:
"I will not resign myself to the lot of women, who bow their heads and become concubines. I wish to ride the tempest, tame the waves, kill the sharks. I have no desire to take abuse."

Patience

'And obey Allah and His Messenger; and fall into no disputes, lest ye lose heart and your power depart; and be patient and persevering. For Allah is with those who patiently persevere.' (Quran, 8:46)

Reason

'I am and always have been one of those natures who must be guided by reason, whatever the reason may be which upon reflection appears to me to be the best.'
Socrates, in dialogue with Crito.