Hermann Hesse, Sherab Chodzin, Joachim Neugroschel - Siddhartha

Pros: Poetic writing throughout, brutal honesty
Cons: The premature death of Kamala; too short

It is surprisingly hard for me to write about this book, though it has meant probably more to me than any other single book of my adult life, even if my feelings are ambivalent at some points. It was first offered to me by a boyfriend when I was about...

Pros: Poetic and rich with spiritual reflection.
Cons: With the emphasis on Siddhartha, many readers will overlook the wisdom of Govinda.

Hermann Hesse (1877-1962) was a German-Swiss writer.  After spending time in India during the 1910s, Hesse was inspired to write Siddhartha, which was first published in 1922 (although the United States translation would not ...

Pros: Symbolic, Engaging, and Edifying
Cons: None

Have you ever challenged the ideas, beliefs, and opinions that you were born with? "Siddhartha" is a novel about a man who does challenge everything that he had been taught.
The author, Herman Hesse, experienced his own spiritual journey. He was...

Pros: Accessible, fairly quick read...a lot of food for thought in a small package
Cons: Since it is relatively short, parts of the plot rush by a bit too fast

I read Siddhartha for a class on American Road Trips (yes, I know, Siddhartha has nothing to do with America, but it at least fills the road trip part), and I found that not only did I like the novel, but also that it was a great book to delve into with m ...

Pros: Everything. A great book makes u think and search within yourself!
Cons: And do not worry a primer on Indian philosophy is not required!

This is a book that will change the way you look at the world, the way you live your life. There are not many books that i would say, should be read only at specific times in your life but if there was ever one this is it. Do not read it unless you're in ...

Pros: Great writing style, pertinent lessons to be learned
Cons: Can be very difficult to comprehend

I chose this book because it looked short and pretty interesting, however I soon learned that it was full of information and actually a fairly difficult read. This book is mainly about a young Brahmin's life and the lessons he learns about religion and...

Pros: simple, beautifully rendered classic
Cons: well...there're those hippies.

Nobel Prize winner Hermann Hess completed “Siddhartha” in 1922, but it was not until the 1970s that hippies gave this German novel the cult popularity it’s known for today. Apparently, these hippies, who bummed around the country looking for their own...

Pros: Symbolic, Motivating, Well-written
Cons: Tough to understand, but fun to figure out

Background of Book
The novel Siddhartha was published in 1951 by the world-renowned author, Hermann Hesse. It is set in India and contains many philosophical and religious references toward the beliefs of Hinduism and Buddhism. The...

Pros: Thoughtful, whisks you a way to a different world, rhythmic and peaceful writing style
Cons: n/a

The Plot
Important characters:
Siddhartha - a Brahmin boy, main character
Govinda - Siddhartha's friend from boyhood, a Brahmin
Kamala - woman Siddhartha falls in love with
Vasudeva - a ferry man

This is an...

Pros: Very touching book... makes you wonder... and a fast-paced read.
Cons: Some parts are a little vague (blurry).

"Water is the softest substance known to man and yet, it cannot be destroyed..." as subtly expressed in the latter portion of Herman Hesse's classic, 'Siddhartha'.

The marvelously-crafted novel has two underlying premises- the...

Pros: Clever and Clear
Cons: Possibly an oversimplification

All is everything, everything is nothing, and thus all is nothing.

Syllogisms have proved an effective device, but only in the context of the Western philosophical tradition and its emphasis on progress, order, ration, and understanding....

Pros: Spiritually invigorating; fascinating and heartfelt, but short enough so as not to bore you.
Cons: I can't think of any, or don't want to at them moment...

THE FOLLOWING OPINION REVEALS MAJOR PLOT DETAILS.

Good evening fellow Epinionators, this is Razzmatazz, poking his head out from the generally dull world of his Epinions obscurity. Forgive me from stepping away from the status quo of rating...

Pros: Wonderful, spiritual search for one's self.
Cons: None.

Since the age of 16, I have been searching for a deeper meaning to "life." Early on, I took a course called Silva Mind Control and found it to be wonderfully rich in detail about dealing with the powers of your inner self. But for me it was just a...

Pros: short, simple, profound
Cons: none

Hesse combines a concise but richly descriptive style of writing with a remarkably accurate insight into Indian culture and philosophy to produce an inspiring tale of one man's journey to find peace and enlightenment.

The main character...

Pros: A story about life that all can learn from.
Cons: Abridged life story.

Herman Hesse's Siddhartha is an amazing piece of modern literature. We are all searching for meaning and value in our lives, and searching for what we believe in. That is exactly what Siddhartha is about. A young brahmin decides that he will not follow...