This project is now complete! All audio files can be found on our catalog page: https://librivox.org/demian-the-story-of-emil-sinclairs-youth-by-hermann-hesse/
Somewhat autobiographical, this "coming of age" novel unfolds an introspective boy's formative years in pre World War 1 Germany, from grade school through college. Hesse likens this confusing process to a giant bird struggling to break out of its egg (the protective shell of home, family, social norms), to be reborn as an individuated adult with his own goals, ideas and ideals. Much importance is given to dreams and their interpretation, Fate vs individual choice, Gnosticism (particularly the god Abraxas), opening up to one's unconsciousness, all showing the influence of Carl Jung's psychology. One of the book's major themes is the existence of opposing forces (good vs evil, society vs individualism, God vs Devil, etc.) and the idea that both are natural and necessary parts of the Whole. Adjacent themes are about puberty, sexuality, bullying, loneliness, mentorship, the divine feminine, psychic connections, questioning religious dogma, and the herd mentality.
It is also a story of one soldier’s experience on the battlefield of WWI, feeling part of and being willing to die for a cause outside ones own control.
Due to its controversial themes, Demian was first published under the pseudonym "Emil Sinclair" (the narrator of the story) but Hesse was later revealed to be the author.
~ Michele Fry, Soloist
- Text source (only read from this text!): https://www.dropbox.com/s/dzle9s6akyecjyz/Demian by Herman Hesse OCR text (as sent to Gutenberg, copyright page approved).docx?dl=0
- Type of proof-listening required: SPECIAL. Please follow along with the text and note any significant discrepancies. Reader also invites Crit/Comments for pronunciation or anything that strikes the proof listener as odd or wrong. (Note: For further instructions please read the PL FAQ)
IMPORTANT - soloist, please note: in order to limit the amount of languishing projects (and hence the amount of files on our hard-pressed server), we ask that you post an update at least once a month in your project thread, even if you haven't managed to record anything. If we don't hear from you for three months, your project may be opened up to a group project if a Book Coordinator is found. Files you have completed will be used in this project. If you haven't recorded anything yet, your project will be removed from the forum (contact any admin to see if it can be re-instated).
Please don't download or listen to files belonging to projects in process (unless you are the BC or PL). Our servers are not set up to handle the greater volume of traffic. Please wait until the project has been completed. Thanks!
Magic Window:
BC Admin - The reader will record the following at the beginning and end of each file:
1 second of silence at the beginning of the recording!
INTRO to first section only:- "Demian, by Herman Hesse, translated from the German by N. H. Priday, and published in 1923. This is a Librivox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit: librivox DOT org" This book is read for you by Michele Fry, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Introduction to Demian, The Story of Emil Sinclair's Life" [/i]
INTRO for all subsequent sections,- "Chapter #, Part # (where applicable) of Demian, by Hermann Hesse, This LibriVox recording is in the Public Domain." read by Michele Fry, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Chapter #, Chapter Title, Part #
END of recording:- At the end of the section, say:
"End of [Chapter #, Part 1, Chapter Title]" or
End of Chapter #, Chapter Title(don't say Part 2) - At the end of the book, say (in addition):
"End of Demian, The Story of Emil Sinclair's Youth, by Hermann Hesse. Translated from the German by N. H. Priday in 1923"
There should be ~5 seconds silence at the end of the recording. - Example filename demian_##_hesse_128kb (all lower-case), and save as an mp3, [/b] where ## is the section number (e.g. demian_01_hesse_128kb.mp3)
Transfer of files (completed recordings)
Please always post in this forum thread when you've sent a file. Also, post the length of the recording (file duration: mm:ss) together with the link.- Upload your file with the LibriVox Uploader: https://librivox.org/login/uploader
(If you have trouble reading the image above, please message an admin) - You'll need to select the MC, which for this project is: TriciaG
- When your upload is complete, you will receive a link - please post it in this thread.
- If this doesn't work, or you have questions, please check our How To Send Your Recording wiki page.
Please post below - Upload your file with the LibriVox Uploader: https://librivox.org/login/uploader
MC: TriciaG
BC: Michele Fry
DPL: KevinS
Cover: Michele Fry
