In countless letters, Hermann Hesse has been confronted with the fates of various contemporaries. In his works, through which he attempted to express and master his own perceptions, experiences, and crises, they recognized themselves and felt such a deep connection to the author that they wrote to him, hoping for advice in difficult life situations. Our volume gathers - both from Hesse's works and from his responses to letters from readers - the most original and helpful tips and encouragements in the chapters: When life is hard to bear, religion and church, as well as coping with the loss of loved ones and friends. "Against the infamies of life, the best weapons are: courage, stubbornness, and patience." Hermann Hesse.