Books
The Glass Bead Game
About this book
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 experiences in China and elsewhere he begins to doubt the value of the introverted life he and his fellow masters are leading.
Description via Open Library.
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Ratings
4.2 of 5 · 96 ratings
Open Library 4.2 (96)
- 5★42%
- 4★46%
- 3★7%
- 2★4%
- 1★1%
Book details
- Author
- Hermann Hesse
- Publisher
- Holt, Rinehart and Winston
- Published
- 1969
- Pages
- 558
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9780030818516
- ISBN-10
- 0030818516
- Categories
- Science fiction
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Questions about The Glass Bead Game
- What's the cheapest way to buy The Glass Bead Game?
- As of Nov 15, 2026, lowest item prices: new print $8.45 at biblionepal. Shipping and tax extra.
- Is The Glass Bead Game free at the library?
- You can borrow it free through Libby or Hoopla if your library carries it. We don't track live availability. You can add your library in settings.
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