Narcissus and Goldmund

Yet another weird book. A parable of two contradicting characters that after a while begin to gnaw at your brain. This is a sketch trying to analyse the duality of body and mind, so to speak. The eternal struggle between the emotional man and the contemplative man set in medieval times. Of course the idea must be that there is a Narcissus and a Goldmund existing simultaneously in all of us, and this book might help understand and articulate some of the inner conflicts between the two. The book must be read and reflected on rather simultaneously which makes for a heavy read.I guess this sort of writing is Herman Hesse's style, just a narration of events at a high-level with an oft subliminal sensibility to be discovered beneath the facade of the writing. A bit like Richard Bach but heavier and darker (What is it with people of German origin?) . An intensely spiritual book, that if not read with some mental preparation can cause a splitting headache.