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Book Description
In the novel, Siddhartha, a young man, leaves his family for a contemplative life, then, restless, discards it for one of the flesh. He conceives a son, but bored and sickened by lust and greed, moves on again. Near despair, Siddhartha comes to a river where he hears a unique sound. This sound signals the true beginning of his life -- the beginning of suffering, rejection, peace, and, finally, wisdom.
From the Publisher
In the novel, Siddhartha, a young man, leaves his family for a contemplative life, then, restless, discards it for one of the flesh. He conceives a son, but bored and sickened by lust and greed, moves on again. Near despair, Siddhartha comes to a river where he hears a unique sound. This sound signals the true beginning of his life -- the beginning of suffering, rejection, peace, and, finally, wisdom.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A life-changing read for me,
By
This review is from: Siddhartha (Mass Market Paperback)
I was only seventeen when I read this book, more than thirty years ago. I wasn't searching for anything. I certainly had no interest in Buddhism. In fact, I wasn't even aware that the story was about The Buddha until after finishing it. My older sister's boyfriend loaned it to me because he wanted to see my reaction. I was stunned by the book. The reading of it was like a meditation, the story deeply felt. I can still hear the river speaking to Siddhartha...It had a powerful impact on me, my life. Within a couple of years of reading it, I was meditating, doing yoga, practicing mindfulness--in a small town where such things were unheard of. I believe it was the influence of this piece of literature that was working away at me, at my very depths. Looking back, I would have to say that Siddartha informed many of my life choices, even though I didn't realize it until recently.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Captivating,
This review is from: Siddhartha (Mass Market Paperback)
Hesse takes the reader on a fictional journey that parallels the life of the Buddha. However, profound human truths are at the core of the story. Very male-centred with little consideration of the female perspective, but interesting nonetheless.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Classic?,
By John (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Siddhartha (Mass Market Paperback)
Having read Hesse's "Demian", I knew full well I would absolutely despise this novel if and when I read it. However, I could not have predicted the extent to which I would hate it. Often considered a literary classic, I half expected to find at least one redeeming quality within this novel's pages. I was mistaken. Hesse's contrived anecdote does nothing to justify the worldview contained, in that sense being very similar to "Demian". The concepts regarding the searching of the soul are abstract and only appeal to emotion or repressed desires, as opposed to intellect - the novel offers no practical or applicable consul or theme. Perhaps, I am simply unable to understand the novel's "Eastern" context, but I would suppose I am at least as familiar with it as a middle-aged, reclusive German author from the middle of the 20th century. The novel demands empathy from the reader with the protagonist's soul searching in order to be successful or have impact - a quality I don't consider indicative of good literature. Moreso, Hesse's style seems elementary, akin to a young adult novel, though such may be a result of the translation. Even so, when compared to his contemporaries of the era, I fail to understand how Hesse's "Siddhartha" can be so revered - failing dreadfully in comparison to the works of J.R.R. Tolkein, C.S. Lewis, George Orwell, Joseph Heller or William Golding. To conclude, I do not recommend this novel as a classic or ground-breaking revelation in any sense. Perhaps, I had expected too much. Many other authors, not the least of which include the aforementioned, have related the path of maturity of the individual in much more impactful and meaningful literary works than Hesse, and therefore, the redeeming qualities of "Siddhartha" are diminished, if not non-existant. Honestly, I would like to meet someone who genuinely likes this novel and finds it valuable in order to discover its worth. Insofar as I see it, there is none.
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