Title: Siddhartha.
Writer(s): Hermann Hesse.
Translator(s): Hilda Rosner.
Publisher: Bantam Books.
Format: Mass Market Paperback.
Release Date: 1981 (First Published in 1922).
Pages: 152.
Genre(s): Classics, Philosophy.
ISBN13: 9780553208849.
My Overall Rating:

Knowledge is fundamental to our development as individuals. With it, we imagine, we innovate, and we grow. But when can we ever feel like we know enough of anything? How do we set ourselves on a course towards further illumination regarding whatever knowledge the world has left to offer? While a state of absolute certainty is inevitably unattainable, a state of acceptance is. And sometimes, it is only by experiencing it for yourself that you will ever decipher this eternal life enigma. Known for writing Steppenwolf, Narcissus and Goldmund, and The Glass Bead Game, German-Swiss writer Hermann Hesse also wrote the grandly influential story of the young man Siddhartha and his hunt for eternal enlightenment.
What is Siddhartha about? The story follows the young man Siddhartha as he leaves his Brahmin family, convinced that they have nothing left to teach him, in search of knowledge. Frustrated by a sense of status quo, convinced that he must break free from the doctrines that the elders hammer onto every new generation, he embarks on a journey to achieve spiritual fulfillment. Despite potential avenues through peculiar entities who could steer him towards the answers he craves, it is only once he reflects on the path he’s chosen, the consequences of his actions, and the ultimatum that he has to face, that he can ever understand what he was truly looking for. In fact, from a clash of visions to trials of vice and virtues, the truth he seeks can only ever be achieved once he finally learns to look beyond his own individual desires.
“Wisdom cannot be imparted. Wisdom that a wise man attempts to impart always sounds like foolishness to someone else … Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.”
— Hermann Hesse
There is something fundamentally inspiring in individuals who casts off a life of privilege and convenience to search for true meaning. The expedition paves the way to a heightened experience void of conventional filters and barriers that thus allow them to imbibe their environment and their emotions in their rawest form. However, a virulent conviction of undiscovered knowledge can have a perverse effect on such a virtuous pilgrimage, orienting one’s thoughts in such a direction that the answer itself goes unnoticed until much more tragic events are witnessed and embraced. For the young Siddhartha, his own life sees dramatic transformation as he attempts to achieve his spiritual fulfillment but the journey only serves as an enlightening lesson once he finally arrives at his figurative destination.
Written with an elegant flow that allows readers to effortlessly follow Siddhartha’s search for self-knowledge, writer Hermann Hesse brilliantly captures the purity of his characters and the force of their existence as they each affect Siddhartha’s Self in a myriad of ways. Drawing upon Eastern regions, Jungian archetypes, and Western individualism, he also harmoniously explores ideas of serenity, salvation, compassion, and belonging to allow Siddhartha to grow before the readers’ eyes. Despite the character’s underlying arrogance deriving from the value given to his journey, his character exudes grandiose qualities that allow readers to grasp fundamental concepts about self-discovery, acceptance, and love that make his journey thoroughly engrossing as he tries to achieve peace and emancipation.
Siddhartha is an eye-opening spiritual journey of a young man’s quest for knowledge and self-fulfillment.



Your reviews are simply impeccable!
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That is so very kind of you to say, Scarlett. Thank you! 🙂
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I enjoy stories of selfdiscovery. This sounds interesting and well written. Amazing review, Lashaan!
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It is a wonderful thought-provoking little story that is sure to get you thinking! Thanks for reading, Yesha! 😀
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Originally published in 1922. Well if this is what it takes to get you to read older works, then I say bravo! 🙂
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Ha! It definitely felt refreshing to read, compared to something published yesterday! 😀
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I’ve read Siddartha in school and then again for my Chris Evans reading experiment, because it’s one of his favorites, and the book still holds up. I have to say that I read it in German, so that was a bit of a struggle, since I read so rarely in my primary language, but I’m glad to have revisited it. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on it. Such a great review!
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I’m definitely envious that you get to read it in its original language! I think you did the same with Steppenwolfe too, if I remember correctly. It’s also so cool that we have this read in common! Thank you so much for reading my review, Kat! I appreciate it a lot. 😀
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I picked up an ebook of this one a number of years ago. I wasn’t too familiar with the book but I’d heard of the author and I knew it was a classic of sorts so wanted to try it. I’m pleased to see you enjoyed it and I still look forward to trying it.
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I think I had this book for a couple of years myself, having gotten it right after reading and enjoying Steppenwolfe. I’m convinced you’ll appreciate the morale of this story when you get the chance to read it, Todd!
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Sounds like the book has a great message. And, I like how the cover matches the ‘incomplete’ character/knowledge/etc.
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It is indeed a thought-provoking cover to go with the story! You don’t really realize it until you get to the end.
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Still haven’t read this one, but I’m glad you enjoyed it so much, Lashaan!
I do wonder how English translation of Hesse would work for me… Only read him in Polish 😉
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So far, both Steppenwolfe and Siddhartha worked quite well in English, with the editions I had but I wouldn’t be able to say if there are better translations out there. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if Polish editions do a better job at capturing the essence of his writing hahah
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