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Steppenwolf
Steppenwolf
Dec 31, 2025 12:11 AM

Author:Hermann Hesse,David Horrocks

Steppenwolf

A new translation by David Horrocks.

At first sight Harry Haller seems like a respectable, educated man. In reality he is the Steppenwolf: wild, strange, alienated from society and repulsed by the modern age. But as he is drawn into a series of dreamlike and sometimes savage encounters - accompanied by, among others, Mozart, Goethe and the bewitching Hermione - the misanthropic Haller discovers a higher truth, and the possibility of happiness. This haunting portrayal of a man who feels he is half-human and half-wolf became a counterculture classic for a disaffected generation. Yet it is also a story of redemption, and an intricately-structured modernist masterpiece. This is the first new translation of Steppenwolf for over eighty years, returning to the fresh, authentic language of Hesse's original.

Reviews

The gripping and fascinating story of disease in a man's soul

—— The New York Times

This superb new translation of the early trilogy, intelligently introduced, is a miracle of persuasive storytelling

—— Caryl Emerson, Princeton University

Judson Rosengrant's stunning new translation of Leo Tolstoy's first literary masterpiece reveals the Russian novelist's talent in all its startling and visionary originality [...] Rosengrant's Childhood, Boyhood, Youth is an example of the art of translation at its finest, combining critical acumen, a specialist's understanding of Tolstoy's art, and a profound sympathy with the original's subtle narrative 'moods,' shifting melodies of language, and deployment of stylistic registers. Thanks to Rosengrant's passionate respect for the integrity of the text and the power of the precisely chosen word to illuminate experience, Tolstoy has found an English voice worthy of his own.

—— Lena M Lencek, Reed College

A slam-dunk for H.M. Naqvi

—— USA Today

Sharp, sleek prose, a tightly wrought structure and a slam poet's instinct carry this book to the top of the heap

—— The Hindu

A remarkably engaging novel that delights as it disturbs

—— The New York Times

Bursts with intelligence and energy and pathos. I haven't read anything like it

—— Gary Shteyngart

Naqvi's fast-paced plot, foul-mouthed erudition and pitch-perfect dialogue make for a stellar debut

—— Publishers Weekly

Welsh performs the mysterious feat of making you think that his characters are real.

—— Theo Tait , Guardian

A brilliantly funny, scary, sweeping novel with all the energy of Welsh's debut, but imbued with a wider sense of political and social engagement.

—— Doug Johnstone , Independent on Sunday

It’s brilliant and even more thrilling than its predecessor.

—— Simon Humphreys , Mail on Sunday

Like Trainspotting, Skagboys thrusts along with the exuberance of its episodic stories. Welsh hasn't lost his flair for comic set pieces.

—— Robert Collins , Sunday Times

Quite simply a masterpiece…at least as assured and vibrant in its characterization as Trainspotting, Skagboys is even more on the money politically… This novel more than any other, (including its brilliant predecessor) stands as our spiritual and moral history.

—— Scotsman

It was never going to be light reading, but Welsh's vigour, wit and energy still make it compulsive.

—— Charlotte Sinclair , Vogue

Skagboys is a compelling tale…a seriously entertaining piece of work.

—— Peter Murphy , The Irish Times

If you too loved the colloquial tangle of Trainspotting, you'll find a similar rhythm in Skagboys.

—— Andrew Collins , Word Magazine

There is enough of what Welsh does well - needle-sharp dialogue, vivid characters and a certainty of place - to make Skagboys his best work in many years…an essential read.

—— Timothy Mo , Irish Examiner

A cracking read.

—— Time Out

Very good.

—— Sam Leith , Prospect

The prose flows easily, underpinned with a wry humour that counters the harsh, modern realism

—— Big Issue in the North

Totally awesome!

—— Edinburgh Evening News

I would recommend this book in a heartbeat...young or old - it's just brilliant!

—— Books4Teens.co.uk

In the safe hands of none other than Mr. Steven Spielberg, this is your last chance to read the book before the movie hype drowns out the written word. A mixed up dystopian fantasy adventure novel with more nods to 80’s pop culture than even the biggest John Hughes fan will be able to handle, it’s just a whole lot of fun to read

—— 'Best books of 2015’, All in London

This is one you need to read before EVERYONE knows about it!

—— So Feminine

Ultimately entertaining, enthusiastic and enjoyable. A real must-have for any collection…a beautifully constructed piece of escapism which will pull you in with such vigour that you miss your train stop.

—— Live Magazines

Powerful and very timely message

—— Guardian

This novel's great achievement is to capture the tensions and subtleties of a married life cut short… I read [it] virtually in one sitting, but that's a fairly common experience with Anne Tyler books… I didn't want it to end. Which is also a fairly common Tyler thing.

—— Viv Groskop , Independent on Sunday

The Beginner’s Goodbye is a very funny book … every incident is at once recognizably true to life and yet somehow utterly off-kilter.

—— Edmund Gordon , Times Literary Supplement

Brims with wry perceptiveness and rueful humour

—— Peter Kemp , Sunday Times (Books of the Year)

Tyler's playful humour imbues this unsentimental portrait of a mismatched marriage

—— Emma Hagestadt , Independent

A cleverly observed tale of an imperfect relationship and grief

—— Big Issue in the North

A bittersweet, utterly beguiling story of love and loss from a brilliant writer

—— John Koski , Mail on Sunday

Both compelling and deeply touching, once you start reading you won’t want The Beginner’s Goodbye to end

—— Hannah Britt , Daily Express

It begins with one of those sentences that impels you to read on…Tyler’s haunting tale of love and loss is intelligent, unsentimental and often wryly funny

—— The Lady

A lovely, stylish way to write a novel about marriage

—— William Leith , Evening Standard

A beautifully poignant portrait of marriage, loss and grief

—— Good Housekeeping

Exhibit[s] all the delicious readability that admirers of Tyler expect

—— Brandon Robshaw , Independent on Sunday

Both compelling and deeply touching, once you start reading you won't want The Beginner's Goodbye to end

—— Hannah Britt , Scottish Daily Express

An emotionally satisfying book with wise and moving moments

—— Good Housekeeping

Cline [crafts] a fresh and imaginative world from our old toy box ... Cline strikes the nerves of nerd culture as expertly as Andy played that skeleton organ in The Goonies.

—— Entertainment Weekly
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