
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER ONE TWO WORLDS
CHAPTER TWO CAIN
CHAPTER THREE THE THIEF ON THE CROSS
CHAPTER FOUR BEATRICE
CHAPTER FIVE THE BIRD FIGHTS ITS WAY OUT OF THE EGG
CHAPTER SIX JACOB WRESTLES WITH GOD
CHAPTER SEVEN MOTHER EVE
CHAPTER EIGHT BEGINNING OF THE END
Through the eyes of a sensitive boy growing up in a small town, the novel explores the uneasy split between the comfortable order of family life and a darker, unspoken realm that pulls at his curiosity. He feels the weight of expectations, the clean lines of school and church, while an inner restlessness hints at something beyond the familiar. When a mysterious classmate appears, he is drawn into conversations that challenge the tidy morals he has been taught, opening a gateway to questions of identity and desire.
These encounters spark a reluctant journey toward self‑knowledge, as the young narrator learns to listen to the hidden instincts that stir in his blood. The narrative blends vivid childhood memories with symbolic episodes, inviting listeners to contemplate the conflict between conformity and the call of an inner truth. While the path is fraught with doubt and moments of alienation, the story promises a thoughtful meditation on growing up and the search for a personal destiny.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (282K characters)
Release date
2024-08-10
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1877–1962
Best known for Siddhartha, Steppenwolf, and The Glass Bead Game, this Nobel Prize-winning writer explored the search for self-knowledge with unusual warmth and intensity. His novels blend psychological depth, spiritual questioning, and a deep mistrust of conformity.
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