Siddhartha: A Novel (Sacred Books, #1) (Tales from India) (Shambhala Classics)

by Hermann Hesse

The classic novel of a quest for knowledge that has delighted, inspired, and influenced generations of readers, writers, and thinkers—a perennial favorite for graduation gifts.

Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read

Though set in a place and time far removed from the Germany of 1922, the year of the book’s debut, the novel is infused with the sensibilities of Hermann Hesse’s time, synthesizing disparate philosophies–Eastern religions, Jungian archetypes, Western individualism–into a unique vision of life as expressed through one man’s search for meaning.

It is the story of the quest of Siddhartha, a wealthy Indian Brahmin who casts off a life of privilege and comfort to seek spiritual fulfillment and wisdom. On his journey, Siddhartha encounters wandering ascetics, Buddhist monks, and successful merchants, as well as a courtesan named Kamala and a simple ferryman who has attained enlightenment. Traveling among these people and experiencing life’s vital passages–love, work, friendship, and fatherhood–Siddhartha discovers that true knowledge is guided from within.

• ISBN10: 0553208845
• ISBN13: 9780553208849
• Publish Date: 1 December 1981 (first published 1 March 1922)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 160
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780553208849

Reviews

A bit short but I was told to pause at the end of every chapter (which I did) to fully absorb the work. I appreciated it but I think I would have liked it more had I "studied" it. A pretty good read.

[remo]

Viaje espiritual de un joven llamado Siddharta. Con Hesse me pasa a menudo (salvo con El lobo estepario): empieza la novela y comparto su planteamiento y me interesa, pero repentinamente los giros que le da el autor a la historia no me hacen seguirla sino preguntarme todo el rato ¿y esto por qué? ¿A qué demonios viene esto?. Con esta igual. Siddharta es un joven hindú que busca el significado de la vida y emprende un viaje, físico y espiritual, para averiguarlo. Pero por el camino se casa con una prostituta, tiene un hijo con ella, enviuda y han pasado veinte años. Y de repente se acuerda otra vez de que quería encontrar la iluminación espiritual. Y otra vez se va a por ella... Desconecté de la novela, siéndome imposible reconectar.