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Pictor's Metamorphoses and Other Fantasies
Selected and with an Introduction by Theodore Ziolkowski.
In the spring of 1922, several months after completing Siddhartha, Hermann Hesse wrote a fairy tale that was also a love story, inspired by the woman who was to become his second wife. That story, Pictor's Metamorphoses, is presented here along with a half century of Hesse's other short writings. Inspired by the Arabian Nights and the tales of the Brothers Grimm, these nineteen stories display the full range of Hesse's lifetime fascination with fantasy--as dream, fairy tale, folktale, satire, and allegory.
In the spring of 1922, several months after completing Siddhartha, Hermann Hesse wrote a fairy tale that was also a love story, inspired by the woman who was to become his second wife. That story, Pictor's Metamorphoses, is presented here along with a half century of Hesse's other short writings. Inspired by the Arabian Nights and the tales of the Brothers Grimm, these nineteen stories display the full range of Hesse's lifetime fascination with fantasy--as dream, fairy tale, folktale, satire, and allegory.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1922
28 people are currently reading
849 people want to read
About the author
Hermann Hesse
1,795 books19.5k followersMany works, including
Siddhartha
(1922) and
Steppenwolf
(1927), of German-born Swiss writer Hermann Hesse concern the struggle of the individual to find wholeness and meaning in life; he won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1946.
Other best-known works of this poet, novelist, and painter include The Glass Bead Game , which, also known as Magister Ludi, explore a search of an individual for spirituality outside society.
In his time, Hesse was a popular and influential author in the German-speaking world; worldwide fame only came later. Young Germans desiring a different and more "natural" way of life at the time of great economic and technological progress in the country, received enthusiastically Peter Camenzind , first great novel of Hesse.
Throughout Germany, people named many schools. In 1964, people founded the Calwer Hermann-Hesse-Preis, awarded biennially, alternately to a German-language literary journal or to the translator of work of Hesse to a foreign language. The city of Karlsruhe, Germany, also associates a Hermann Hesse prize.
Other best-known works of this poet, novelist, and painter include The Glass Bead Game , which, also known as Magister Ludi, explore a search of an individual for spirituality outside society.
In his time, Hesse was a popular and influential author in the German-speaking world; worldwide fame only came later. Young Germans desiring a different and more "natural" way of life at the time of great economic and technological progress in the country, received enthusiastically Peter Camenzind , first great novel of Hesse.
Throughout Germany, people named many schools. In 1964, people founded the Calwer Hermann-Hesse-Preis, awarded biennially, alternately to a German-language literary journal or to the translator of work of Hesse to a foreign language. The city of Karlsruhe, Germany, also associates a Hermann Hesse prize.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 2, 2018
So. Bizarre.
Had to read some stories twice. The symbolism was sometimes elusive for me.
This collection of short stories have been called fairy tales, but moral fantasies is a better description for them.
One story took place in a country called Normalia. It had started off as a mental institution and as it got over crowded it simply kept growing until it was the size of a country. When it was written it was probably a comment on Nazi Germany. I found it also a fitting description of North Korea.
A couple stories were romances.
A couple were about attempting to become a great artist.
In another, a man has a discussion with his stove.
Great book but it helps to be open to the symbolism; in some stories more than others.
Had to read some stories twice. The symbolism was sometimes elusive for me.
This collection of short stories have been called fairy tales, but moral fantasies is a better description for them.
One story took place in a country called Normalia. It had started off as a mental institution and as it got over crowded it simply kept growing until it was the size of a country. When it was written it was probably a comment on Nazi Germany. I found it also a fitting description of North Korea.
A couple stories were romances.
A couple were about attempting to become a great artist.
In another, a man has a discussion with his stove.
Great book but it helps to be open to the symbolism; in some stories more than others.
January 1, 2024
Disappointing collection of shorts from one of my favorite authors. Not a single one grabbed me.
May 30, 2024
Livro que contem as ilustrações e o conto Transformações, vários poemas e um posfácio que conta parte da vida de Hesse, incluindo trechos de cartas, inclusive uma em que o próprio Hesse atesta a genialidade do Sr. Jung com quem ele se consultava bastante em tempos de escrever o Sidartha e esse conto dual sobre Piktor.
December 24, 2021
An excellent collection of short stories. Most of the stories were written almost as fairy tales including the title story "Pictor's Metamorphoses", which Hesse wrote for the woman who would become his second wife. My favorite stories were: "King Yu" about a Chinese king who had a series of towers built that stretched for miles. Each tower had a powerful drum that was to be beat if an enemy army approached that would alert the kings troops before the enemy got near. To entertain his wife, the king had the alarm sounded and his troops came from far away thinking an attack was occurring only to find it was a false alarm. The generals were angered and swore they would never again respond to the alarm and so the enemy, hearing of this, attacked with dire consequences for the king. Another story I liked was "Report from Normalia" in which an insane asylum kept growing until it became the size of a nation. I suspect this was a metaphor for the rise of Germany under the Nazi. Hesse's writing was absolutely spectacular, but then I wouldn't expect anything less from him.
January 4, 2009
Hesse fans will enjoy these short stories, fables, and indeed, fantasies that non-Hesse fans will find either hard to understand or too whimsical to bother trying. The hardcover edition (maybe the paperback too?) includes the original transcript of Pictor's Metamorphoses as penned by Mr. Hesse when he was very young. It also includes some incredible art work created by the author.
I found the first story in the book (which is not the title story) interesting to read but obscure in its meaning. The prose is, in places, wonderful but the story meanders so much that its ambiguity becomes tedious after a while.
The other stories are more easily digested. And again, Hesse fans will savor the psychological playfullness that Hesse does so well.
This book is no Siddhartha, Demian or, my personal favorite, Steppenwolf. For one thing, it is a collection of short stories, not a novel, and thus cannot, by limitation in length, delve into the deep and often dark abyss of the human psyche as Hesse does in his novels. However, Hesse fans will definitely want to add this book to their collection.
I found the first story in the book (which is not the title story) interesting to read but obscure in its meaning. The prose is, in places, wonderful but the story meanders so much that its ambiguity becomes tedious after a while.
The other stories are more easily digested. And again, Hesse fans will savor the psychological playfullness that Hesse does so well.
This book is no Siddhartha, Demian or, my personal favorite, Steppenwolf. For one thing, it is a collection of short stories, not a novel, and thus cannot, by limitation in length, delve into the deep and often dark abyss of the human psyche as Hesse does in his novels. However, Hesse fans will definitely want to add this book to their collection.
April 24, 2017
I was surprisingly non-plussed by most of these stories. Even the titular tale, Pictor's Metamorphoses seemed unremarkable. There are a few great bits in here, however. "Hannes" is the tale of a man who was always thought to be mentally handicapped and is therefore ridiculed to the point that he prefers the company of animals. Thus he retains his capacity to interact directly with the animate earth - not just with the sheep and cows he tends, but with the clouds, the rivers, the rocks. Not to give anything away, the townspeople come to learn before long that his lifestyle has lent him an unusually peace and kindness, and he is thus able to help them overcome personal strife.
The Wicker Chair story is also cute and quite nice.
The Wicker Chair story is also cute and quite nice.
September 18, 2012
I have really enjoyed some of Hesse’s novels, which lead me to “Pictor’s Metamorphoses and Other Fantasies”, although I am not big on short stories. Hesse’s style shines through each of the stories here but some pieces like “Lulu” are a bit arduous and may require a second reading.
Two of the nineteen stories in this collection left an indelible impression on me. “Bird” a story of a magical bird unique to a small town, and the challenges the townsfolk face when a bounty is placed on its head. And “Report from Normalia” a story of a utopian society that was birthed out of an Insane asylum.
Two of the nineteen stories in this collection left an indelible impression on me. “Bird” a story of a magical bird unique to a small town, and the challenges the townsfolk face when a bounty is placed on its head. And “Report from Normalia” a story of a utopian society that was birthed out of an Insane asylum.
September 12, 2011
Every time I read one of Hesse's works, it is a profound experience. Seriously, every single work of Hesse I have ever read has been either a spiritual awakening or a psyche shattering eye opener. I love the man, for his writings if for nothing else.
October 24, 2022
Fairy tales that have the logic of dreams – indeed, at least two are just straight relations of dreams, at least according to the author. Quite a few have to do with birds as symbols for the human spirit, but rather than soaring and swooping, the birds are pursued, hunted, tormented, etc. These stories are like the anti-Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Hesse also includes a couple stories of painters and trees -- and almost every one include some sort of transformation (hence the title).
While I prefer Hesse’s nonfiction and poetry, these fairy tales are worth a look, especially for those into Jungian psychoanalysis, which is clearly an influence, as Hesse mentions in a couple stories. The title story even includes Hesse’s own watercolor illustrations which look like something out of Jung’s Red Book or Blake’s manuscripts.
While I prefer Hesse’s nonfiction and poetry, these fairy tales are worth a look, especially for those into Jungian psychoanalysis, which is clearly an influence, as Hesse mentions in a couple stories. The title story even includes Hesse’s own watercolor illustrations which look like something out of Jung’s Red Book or Blake’s manuscripts.
June 8, 2020
"Pictor's Metamorphoses," is presented here along with a half century of Hesse's other short writings. Inspired by the Arabian Nights and the tales of the Brothers Grimm, these nineteen stories display the full range of Hesse's lifetime fascination with fantasy--as dream, fairy tale, folktale, satire, and allegory.
September 28, 2007
Piktor's Metamorphoses is a fairy tale written an illustrated by Herman Hesse. It's the sweetest story ever.
August 21, 2012
Uneven collection but some gems of historical Hesse.
February 28, 2020
Hesse reached deep into the human soul and used his great use of language to paint the picture of what he saw there. Most of these fables are allegories for something greater than what is described. The biggest impression I got from the story called Bird. All others contain the spirit of Hesse, but I think most of them had the biggest sentimental value to him personally.
I have read other short stories that contain higher metaphysical allegories, but the majority of these stories lacked metaphysical depth.
Here are the best excerpts I enjoyed the most:
Everything must go through the brain, everything must be grasped and measured. You put things to the test; you measure yourself, seeking out the limits of your talents; you become your own experimental subject, and finally you see—too late—that you’ve left the better part of your self and your art far behind you, in the oft-ridiculed, subconscious impulses and emotions of early youth. Now you are reaching out to embrace the sunken Isle of Innocence; but you no longer do so at the wholehearted and heedless prompting of sorrow deeply felt. No—even this gesture is self-conscious, premeditated, a pose.”
to climb mountains, to play my fiddle, to run after girls, to take whatever life—whatever each day—has to offer; I want to wait for my poems to come to me, instead of breathlessly and anxiously hunting them down.”
The most supreme, the most eternal words of the great poets seem—even to me—but the babblings of a dreamer who, without knowing it, murmurs through heavy lips of the heights of the world beyond, heights he has only briefly glimpsed.”
that the Good and the Beautiful are not two distinct principles; rather, they are the daughters of the one principle: Truth. The two only appear as separate, hostile mountaintops—deep in the womb of the earth, they are one and the same.
Have you seen God? And what has He told you?” the people asked. And he opened his eyes and answered them: “This is what He told me: ‘Get you hence and die for your town, as I have died for the world.’”
For man, however, everything is divine, rife with meaning, everything’s a symbol. Everything signifies something else, something entirely different from what it is.
It is conceivable, or rather, imaginable that this Jakob was a genius who from an early age felt himself to be very different, striving for an abnormal degree of individuality, dreaming of accomplishments, achievements, and honors which were unknown in jackdaw life and the jackdaw tribe, and thus he became an outsider and loner who, like the young man in Schiller’s poem,* shunned the coarse company of his companions and wandered about by himself until through some lucky chance the world opened for him a door to the realm of beauty, art, and fame, about which all young geniuses have dreamed since time out of mind.
I have read other short stories that contain higher metaphysical allegories, but the majority of these stories lacked metaphysical depth.
Here are the best excerpts I enjoyed the most:
Everything must go through the brain, everything must be grasped and measured. You put things to the test; you measure yourself, seeking out the limits of your talents; you become your own experimental subject, and finally you see—too late—that you’ve left the better part of your self and your art far behind you, in the oft-ridiculed, subconscious impulses and emotions of early youth. Now you are reaching out to embrace the sunken Isle of Innocence; but you no longer do so at the wholehearted and heedless prompting of sorrow deeply felt. No—even this gesture is self-conscious, premeditated, a pose.”
to climb mountains, to play my fiddle, to run after girls, to take whatever life—whatever each day—has to offer; I want to wait for my poems to come to me, instead of breathlessly and anxiously hunting them down.”
The most supreme, the most eternal words of the great poets seem—even to me—but the babblings of a dreamer who, without knowing it, murmurs through heavy lips of the heights of the world beyond, heights he has only briefly glimpsed.”
that the Good and the Beautiful are not two distinct principles; rather, they are the daughters of the one principle: Truth. The two only appear as separate, hostile mountaintops—deep in the womb of the earth, they are one and the same.
Have you seen God? And what has He told you?” the people asked. And he opened his eyes and answered them: “This is what He told me: ‘Get you hence and die for your town, as I have died for the world.’”
For man, however, everything is divine, rife with meaning, everything’s a symbol. Everything signifies something else, something entirely different from what it is.
It is conceivable, or rather, imaginable that this Jakob was a genius who from an early age felt himself to be very different, striving for an abnormal degree of individuality, dreaming of accomplishments, achievements, and honors which were unknown in jackdaw life and the jackdaw tribe, and thus he became an outsider and loner who, like the young man in Schiller’s poem,* shunned the coarse company of his companions and wandered about by himself until through some lucky chance the world opened for him a door to the realm of beauty, art, and fame, about which all young geniuses have dreamed since time out of mind.
March 24, 2022
What a wonderful little book this is. I read the Insel-Bücherei edition (1502) in German, which does not only includes the story but also includes the handwritten version and original drawings from Hesse, some of his poems choses by the editors and an afterword from Volker Michels. Though the story Piktors Verwandlungen itself is a relatively small part, it's beauty lies in it's (psychoanalytic) methaphores and descriptins (further explained in the afterword), enhanced by Hesse's drawings which make it even more colourful. The story, or 'fairytale' as Hesse calls it, was a bit too short to really grab me but it was a nice introduction to Hesse next book on my TBR (Siddarth, also explained in the afterword why). Strangely enough, I loved the poems most. They are wellchosen, connected to the theme of the story, but moreso very eloquent. They made me copy them down in my journals, send them to friends or read them out loud.
I would argue that this book is a nice and relatively simple introduction to Hesse's further work, or at least a certain period of it. As an added bonus the beautiful Insel Bucherei edition also is a very esthetically pleasing version to look at, enhancing it's slightly lyrical and magical character.
I would argue that this book is a nice and relatively simple introduction to Hesse's further work, or at least a certain period of it. As an added bonus the beautiful Insel Bucherei edition also is a very esthetically pleasing version to look at, enhancing it's slightly lyrical and magical character.
February 15, 2023
This is a collection of Hesse’s short stories, and it was interesting for me because I’d only ever read his novels until this point. The problem is that Hesse has such an unusual writing style that even though these stories don’t relate to each other, it still felt like reading a novel.
But then, maybe they do relate to each other. They’re all fairy tales and fables, or at least the Hessian equivalent, and while I’m not normally into that sort of thing, Hesse did it well and with his signature brand of surrealism.
I learned from the introduction that Hesse had wanted to be a magician when he grew up, and I’d say that this book shows that he went on to do exactly that. There are a lot of authors where I want to read everything they’ve ever written, but Hesse is the only one I can think of where after reading his books, I’m always left wondering what I actually just read.
Still, as Hesse goes, these are pretty comprehensible, and if anything, I think I prefer his short fiction to his longer-form stuff. Noice!
But then, maybe they do relate to each other. They’re all fairy tales and fables, or at least the Hessian equivalent, and while I’m not normally into that sort of thing, Hesse did it well and with his signature brand of surrealism.
I learned from the introduction that Hesse had wanted to be a magician when he grew up, and I’d say that this book shows that he went on to do exactly that. There are a lot of authors where I want to read everything they’ve ever written, but Hesse is the only one I can think of where after reading his books, I’m always left wondering what I actually just read.
Still, as Hesse goes, these are pretty comprehensible, and if anything, I think I prefer his short fiction to his longer-form stuff. Noice!
September 28, 2017
"He longed only for the feeling of that vibration, that power current, that secret intimacy, in which he himself would be annihilated and perish, would die and be reborn... made life bearable, brought something like meaning to it, transfigured and redeemed it" The Painter
Of the short stories the best are: "The Man of the Forests", "The Dream of the Gods", "The Painter", "Pictor's Metamorphoses", "Nocturnal Games", and "Christmas with Two Children's Stories".
A couple of the stories felt incomplete though.
Of the short stories the best are: "The Man of the Forests", "The Dream of the Gods", "The Painter", "Pictor's Metamorphoses", "Nocturnal Games", and "Christmas with Two Children's Stories".
A couple of the stories felt incomplete though.
May 5, 2023
Ruminations on craft and art. The centrality of the two to many worthy lives. The transformative power of nature - both seismic and subtle.
Almost Hesse comfort reading. In part because I’ve read enough of him now to occasionally slip into that mode. But also the nature of these fairy tale inspired stories makes that more prominent. In a good way.
Almost Hesse comfort reading. In part because I’ve read enough of him now to occasionally slip into that mode. But also the nature of these fairy tale inspired stories makes that more prominent. In a good way.
December 20, 2024
What a disappointment. Too absurd. Can’t hyperfocus to any one story. That’s on me. I wasn’t willing to invest time and attention to interpret a story that in average is only 10 pages long. Besides Report from Normalia, nothing was interesting enough for me. I raised the bar high for my favorite author. It didn’t deliver.
December 9, 2019
Made my way to this book circuitously via David Sancious and Tone. Glad I found it as Hesse’s short fantasies are beautifully written and thought provoking. Take a drive or a walk with someone, have one person read a story out loud, and then talk about what you both find meaningful.
January 26, 2021
Uncle Hermann is too clever by half. Wonderful and weird short stories. My favourite is "The tourist city in the south", written in the 1920's but just as relevant now.
(this was my second read... the first was in the 1980's)
(this was my second read... the first was in the 1980's)
April 18, 2018
Not as deep/philosophical as his other works
July 8, 2018
A soothing fairy tale, a pleasant welcome into Hermann Hesse's mind and soul.
December 4, 2022
This collection of fables, dreams and short stories is very Hesse. He’s an original.
February 13, 2023
Eine sehr schönes kurzes Märchen mit versteckter aber dennoch toller Moral!
July 20, 2025
I'm a hesse fan but I just found this mostly ok. I think I prefer the lengthier novel from him.
December 23, 2020
A breezy collection of light fantasy stories from a typically heavy-handed spiritual explorer, most of these tales feel undercooked (most likely intentionally) compared to Hesse's other works. I agree with Hesse (and many others) on the cultural significance of fairy/folk tales, but it's hard to craft short versions of them that don't feel trivial.
The highlights are the quietly powerful Jesus-ish allegory "Hannes," "The Painter," "Bird" and "Two Children's Stories." I also strongly identified with the 1st of his "Nocturnal Games," as it's an anxiety dream I've had many times myself. What most of the best stories in the collection have in common is that they're strongly autobiographical. "Two Children's Stories" in particular offers fascinating insights into Hesse's personal life and thought process. "Bird" is probably the most complete story, including references to various other stories and works such as "Klingsor's Last Summer," "Pictor's Metamorphoses" and Journey to the East. This in addition to biting social satire.
Another thing I liked about the collection was that it documents Hesse's development as an author since the stories are laid out in chronological order, some of them from even before adulthood. His evolution is interesting to avowed fans such as myself.
Overall I would recommend this collection only to Hesse enthusiasts. A better, more polished collection of stories, some of them fantastical too, would be Strange News from Another Star (see my review), which is where I would start if you're interested in Hesse's short works.
Not Bad Reviews
@pointblaek
The highlights are the quietly powerful Jesus-ish allegory "Hannes," "The Painter," "Bird" and "Two Children's Stories." I also strongly identified with the 1st of his "Nocturnal Games," as it's an anxiety dream I've had many times myself. What most of the best stories in the collection have in common is that they're strongly autobiographical. "Two Children's Stories" in particular offers fascinating insights into Hesse's personal life and thought process. "Bird" is probably the most complete story, including references to various other stories and works such as "Klingsor's Last Summer," "Pictor's Metamorphoses" and Journey to the East. This in addition to biting social satire.
Another thing I liked about the collection was that it documents Hesse's development as an author since the stories are laid out in chronological order, some of them from even before adulthood. His evolution is interesting to avowed fans such as myself.
Overall I would recommend this collection only to Hesse enthusiasts. A better, more polished collection of stories, some of them fantastical too, would be Strange News from Another Star (see my review), which is where I would start if you're interested in Hesse's short works.
Not Bad Reviews
@pointblaek
January 30, 2018
Hermann Hesse is my favourite writer but this just disappoints me. I love Demian and Steppenwolf because of the intertwining of fantasy and reality and somehow implicitly shows the genuine emotion in characters, the obsolete writing allow the readers to interpret them differently and also personally, since some intimate emotions seems easier to attach to it. But Pictor’s Metamorphosis seems to me nothing special but just short stories with predictable plots. There’s some pretty good stories but just one or two and in just overall this book doesn’t really left me a great impression. I guess only those more famous books are his masterpieces others are just too ordinary.
April 26, 2009
Inspired and influenced by classical German folktales, Hermann Hesse creates a world of child-like fantasy. Some of these stories borrow directly from these folk classics, which Hesse read much of as a child. Many of these stories are allegorical in nature and not easy to fully understand in one reading. However, each one has a moral of universal appeal to share.
One story that impresses is Hannes; it is a story of two brothers, born from different mothers. The younger leaves home in search of labor, and the older remains behind to work for the father, who favors him above the younger. These two brothers can not be any more different and are modeled after Cain and Abel.
Another impressive story is King Yu. This story, as one can imagine, takes place in the Far East - China. This story seems to be a reworking of The Boy Who Cried Wolf; the queen can be substituted for the boy. One element is that of blind love: the king in this tale, King Yu, is quite taken by the queen and does anything to please or placate her, and as a result sees the downfall of an entire kingdom.
These are two of the nine-teen short tales in this collection, Pictor's Metamorphoses. We can gain a better appreciation of Hesse from contemplating these enduring tales of beauty and wisdom.
One story that impresses is Hannes; it is a story of two brothers, born from different mothers. The younger leaves home in search of labor, and the older remains behind to work for the father, who favors him above the younger. These two brothers can not be any more different and are modeled after Cain and Abel.
Another impressive story is King Yu. This story, as one can imagine, takes place in the Far East - China. This story seems to be a reworking of The Boy Who Cried Wolf; the queen can be substituted for the boy. One element is that of blind love: the king in this tale, King Yu, is quite taken by the queen and does anything to please or placate her, and as a result sees the downfall of an entire kingdom.
These are two of the nine-teen short tales in this collection, Pictor's Metamorphoses. We can gain a better appreciation of Hesse from contemplating these enduring tales of beauty and wisdom.
December 31, 2011
I was all set to prematurely give this one five stars after I finished "The Man of the Forests," but the later stories get pretty dense. Some just read like entries out of Hesse's journal. There's probably more to unpack than I realized on first read, but this time around, the short fables/parables of the first half made the book for me. Overall, worth the read. Some stories are witty (The Merman), some are poignant (Three Lindens), and most use really simple but vibrant imagery. The first one's a little long and bizarre (ends with a scene straight out of a Lynch film), but once you get through that, fairly smooth sailing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews