Das Glasperlenspiel

Hesse’s most highly acclaimed book, The Glass Bead Game is set in a fictional state in Central Europe in the 25th Century. The state of Castalia is the home of an austere order of intellectuals who run a group of boarding schools for boys but also make it their life’s work to extend their knowledge and prowess of the Glass Bead Game, a mysterious game whose rules are never revealed. The story chronicles the life of Magister Ludi, the man responsible for administering the game. Although educated in Castalia he has spent a significant length of time in the outside world and as he reflects on his…