Unterm Rad

Unterm Rad, a novel by H. Hesse, published in 1906. It is the story of an intellectually gifted boy, Hans Giebenrath, who collapses under the pressures of an uncomprehending father and a school (Maulbronn), which drives him too hard. He dissents more and more from the attitudes of the school, gives up, and becomes an artisan. This proves no solution, and Hans loses his bearings in the real world. He is found drowned; it is left to the reader to infer accident or intent.