Highest Rated Review by the Community
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Aug 12 '01
Pros: Poetic writing throughout, brutal honesty
Cons: The premature death of Kamala; too short
Summary: 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 ... read more
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May 12 '09
Pros: Poetic and rich with spiritual reflection.
Cons: With the emphasis on Siddhartha, many readers will overlook the wisdom of Govinda.
Summary: 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 ... read more
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Feb 08 '08
Pros: A spectacular page-turner.
Cons: Nothing, one of my favorite books!
Summary: "Siddhartha" is one of the most powerful books I have ever read, and admittedly, surprisingly so. Hesse has written a truly magnificent book. "Siddhartha" is set in India in a time when religion is a most admirable endeavor and many people dedicate ... read more
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Dec 21 '03
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!
Summary: 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 ... read more
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Sep 10 '03
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
Summary: 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 ... read more
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Mar 22 '03
Pros: short, simple, profound
Cons: none
Summary: 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 ... read more
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Sep 01 '02
Pros: Great writing style, pertinent lessons to be learned
Cons: Can be very difficult to comprehend
Summary: 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 ... read more
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Aug 19 '02
Pros: Wonderful, spiritual search for one's self.
Cons: None.
Summary: 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 ... read more
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Jan 01 '02
Pros: Very enlightening.
Cons: Not long enough
Summary: A friend of mine had just finished reading this book and recommended it to me. He just raved about it. So I took it along on my recent trip and reading material.
Now, most people at sometime in their live are searching for themselves. ... read more
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Jul 18 '01
Pros: Thoughtful, whisks you a way to a different world, rhythmic and peaceful writing style
Cons: n/a
Summary: 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 ... read more
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Jul 09 '01
Pros: A story about life that all can learn from.
Cons: Abridged life story.
Summary: 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 ... read more
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Jul 05 '01
Pros: Symbolic, Motivating, Well-written
Cons: Tough to understand, but fun to figure out
Summary: 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 ... read more
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Jun 01 '01
Pros: A spiritual quest that helps comfort the mind and soul.
Cons: none
Summary: Finding yourself is the biggest quest in the world. Everyday I wake up hoping that I will have an enlightenment that will essentially change my whole life. Much like Siddhartha I long for higher knowledge, peace, happiness, and wisdom. I admire ... read more
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Apr 30 '01
Pros: the book was thorough about the issues of the man's life
Cons: it doesn't stick to the point
Summary: sidhartha was not really a good book because it did not "catch" the readers imagination it only went into a discussion on a man's religion and his struggle to find himself and to reach the "so called nirvana" and spiritual freedom and simplicity. the ... read more
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Mar 02 '01
Pros: Symbolic, Engaging, and Edifying
Cons: None
Summary: 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 ... read more
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