Siddhartha

Hermann Hesse

Sep 2023 · Newcomb Livraria Press

About this ebook

New translation of the original German manuscript of Hermann Hesse's Nobel Prize-winning novel "Siddhartha". This edition also contains an epilogue by the translator, a philosophical glossary of concepts used by Hesse and a chronology of his life and work. Hesse won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1947.

"Siddhartha" is one of Hesse's most famous works, chronicling the spiritual journey of Siddhartha. This is synthesis of various philosophical thoughts, including those of Nietzsche and Schopenhauer, combined with Hindu Yoga and the panpsychism of St. Francis. The story follows Siddhartha as he transitions through life's various challenges, seeking inner peace and enlightenment. After multiple life experiences, including the pain of parenthood and the brink of self-destruction, Siddhartha discovers that true enlightenment lies in unconditional love and admiration for the world. It is notable for its exploration of the path to enlightenment, drawing heavily from Buddhist and Hindu philosophies. An interesting fact is that the story is not about the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, but rather a fictional character with the same name. It is a spiritual novel that traces the journey of its eponymous protagonist in search of enlightenment and a deeper understanding of existence. Hesse's exploration of Eastern philosophy, the search for inner peace and the interconnectedness of all beings is what makes this work significant. It has influenced literature by introducing readers to Eastern philosophies and inspiring a renewed interest in spiritual quests and self-realization.

"Siddhartha" is the apotheosis of self-education. The priest's son, who is the center of attention there, leaves a Brahmin's house with all its ablutions and rites, which are more obligatory and habitual than true to life. He also leaves the practices of the monks, which have long been familiar to him, and goes to the school of a merchant and a courtesan. He wants to break the rigidity that his father's house has instilled in him. He does not even like to follow the famous Gautamo Buddha. Life is to begin anew and from the beginning. With all pain and disappointments Siddhartha wants to experience it first, but to experience it himself, before he in turn becomes an enlightened man and establishes a doctrine that is no longer a doctrine, that no longer demands obedience.

"I cannot read Hermann Hesse without feeling that I am drawn into the presence of a deeply serious mind, a mind that is searching for the meaning of life." - Carl Jung

About the author

A German-Swiss poet, novelist, and painter, Hesse’s literature deeply explores the individual's search for self-knowledge, authenticity, and spirituality. Influenced by Eastern philosophy, Nietzsche and Jungian psychology (he was a personal friend of Jung), his works like "Siddhartha" and "Steppenwolf" became emblematic of the counter-culture movements of the 20th century and literary manifestations of Continental Philosophy. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1946, Hesse's highly individualistic and spiritual narratives continue to inspire personal growth and Socratic self-awareness