Helpful Score: 4
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.
Helpful Score: 4
i'm glad i HAD to read this book for philosophy class. I'd tried to read it once before and got bored with it. but after i read it twice for class, i found it one of the most beautiful and moving books i've ever read.
Helpful Score: 3
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Helpful Score: 2
Great book if your are a Buddhist, search for spirituality, or enjoy Eastern culture.
Helpful Score: 1
Strong translation and well read version of this classic tale. A young man searching for inner peace.
Helpful Score: 1
Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan listed this book as among his favorite. It is an interesting philosophical tale about the phases of a person's life and the search for meaning. The title's character is not Siddhartha Gautama (Buddhism's founder) but he does make an appearance.
Helpful Score: 1
My son was required to read this book as all freshmen were who entered the University of Virginia. I read it after he did and found it so thought provoking that I read more of Herman Hesse's books and his life.
Helpful Score: 1
A relaxing and interesting little page turner about Buddist culture.
Helpful Score: 1
"Siddhartha" is a shimmering, iridescent tale of spiritual quest. It is Nobel Prize-winner Herman Hesse's most famous and influential work.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent book!!!
Helpful Score: 1
Set in India, this is the story of Siddharta who set out on a spiritual journey. After meeting Buddha, Siddharta pressed on to seek hiw own destiny other than being a follower of Buddha. I enjoyed reading this book for its simplicity of style in the treatment of so complex a topic as the quest for self-knowledge.
Helpful Score: 1
awesome book for anyone who's ever been unsure of what their purpose in life is. its quite wordy and sort of repetetive, but still so beautiful that it's worth it.
Really makes you think.
This book had been recommended to me multiple times, and I know many people who love it. However, I had a hard time getting through it. Its emphasis is more so a spiritual/philosophical message (which my friends tell me has meant different things to them at different points in their lives which is why they often reread it), but I just couldn't connect to the plot or the writing style.
I love this author and this is my favorite of his books.
Great read!
If you haven't read Hesse - this is the perfect start! (Follow up with Steppenwolf, then just jump on in). If you've read Hesse but not this book, get it NOW!
This novel is a true classic.
A classic! You do not have to be a Buddhist to enjoy the deep truths in this story which run through all wisdom traditions and cultures.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Wonderful, quiet story. Quick read, too!
Only 122 pages. Quick read - well kinda' quick read - helps to like Hesse's style
Love this book.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
An interesting narrative following the life of a young Indian boy into manhood. He goes through a lot of changes and meets a lot of people, including the Buddha. Very good book
This is a beautifully written book about Siddhartha, a young man who goes on a journey of self-discovery. I found this book a lot easier to read than I expected with lots of words about the meaning of our existence. Published in 1951 in the US and became very influential in the 1960's hippie movement. Experience, the totality of conscious events of a human life, is shown as the best way to approach understanding of reality and attain enlightenment. The novel is structured on three of the traditional stages of life (student, householder and recluse). Lesson learned: "it's not just intellectual cognition, not just learning and knowing, but spiritual experience that can be earned only through strict discipline in a selfless life." If you haven't read Siddhartha yet, you should give it a try as it may enlighten you as the direction of your life.
Siddhartha was for me the kind of book that provided soul refreshment in small chunks...perfect for reading a short, self-contained chapter in a rare moment of solitude that leads to reflection and meditation...and many moments of, "I can relate to that!"
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
I'm still reading this book for my religious studies class but I really like it so far. It poses very real questions about what we as individuals consider sacred and how we view ourselves in relation to the divine. I can't wait to see how it's going to end just because I don't think there are any answers.
This book is exceptional. I loved it and carried some of it with me. Thank you.
Easy and great read!
The first real text that introduced me to the life of the Buddha. It's a facinating, quick read. A must read.
a very insightful book about life.
A classic for seekers.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Well worth reading.
I think this book is a MUST READ!
Great classic read.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
new directions printing
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
this may be viewed as tantamount to sacrilege to some, but i was relatively unimpressed with this book.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Had to read this for school. I wouldn't recommend it, unless you are into finding "enlightment" through strange rituals, Buddhism, Om or a river.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
Boring. So incredibly boring. Unless you're particularly spiritual, skip this one.
Book has some highlighted text
Full of sensory images and rich description. Kind of stalls in some point. It can be dubbed as a self-help book, which I don't like, but subtly enough to be enjoyable as the classic it is.
This book is a Nobel Prize-winner.
