# The Glass Bead Game

Canonical: https://www.bookquiver.com/hermann-hesse/the-glass-bead-game/9780099283621

![The Glass Bead Game](https://quivercdn.com/covers/vintage-classics/hermann-hesse/the-glass-bead-game_978-00-9928-362-1.jpg?v=2026-04-22%2005%3A03%3A32)

- Book: [The Glass Bead Game](https://www.bookquiver.com/hermann-hesse/the-glass-bead-game) ([The Glass Bead Game.md](https://www.bookquiver.com/hermann-hesse/the-glass-bead-game.md))
- Authors: [Hermann Hesse](https://www.bookquiver.com/hermann-hesse)
- Publisher: vintage_classics
- ISBN: 978-00-9928-362-1
- Pages: 544
- Published: 2010-08-05
- Language: en_GB
- Binding: Softcover

## Description

In the remote Kingdom of Castalia, the scholars of the Twenty Third century play the Glass Bead Game. The elaborately coded game is a fusion of all human knowledge - of maths, music, philosophy, science, and art. Intrigued as a school boy, Joseph Knecht becomes consumed with mastering the game as an adult. As Knecht fulfils his life-long quest he must contend with unexpected dilemmas and the longing for a life beyond the ivory tower.