Siddhartha

Hermann Hesse

Jan 2015 · Open Road Media

About this ebook

Nobel Prize winner Hermann Hesse’s most lauded book: The enchanting story of one man’s journey in search of enlightenment

Born into the privileged life of a Brahmin, young Siddhartha came of age surrounded by the teachings of the Buddha. But despite his earnest pursuit of enlightenment, Siddhartha is left unfulfilled. Determined to find his own path to the nirvana, Siddhartha leaves home to embark on a spiritual voyage, spurning the comforts of his caste and leaving behind all loved ones save for his best friend, Govinda. Homeless, without food, and dedicated to their austere lifestyle, the friends diverge along two separate paths. Govinda grows ever more dedicated to Buddhist teachings while Siddhartha travels a more meandering road—through asceticism, into an embrace of the joys of the flesh, and finally to an understanding of the nature of time, truth, and the ultimate path to self-realization.

First published in Germany in 1922, Siddhartha grew in popularity through the 1960s, when it became a touchstone of the American counterculture movement. The book endures today as a stirring and lyrical exploration of self-discovery.

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Ratings and reviews

life changing book. a mind opening must read.

About the author

Hermann Hesse (1877–1962) was a German poet and novelist. Hesse spent time writing in Europe and later traveled to India to study ancient Eastern cultures and religions, forming the foundation for several of his works. His writing tends to focus on the quest of the individual for authenticity, spirituality, and understanding of the inner self. Best known for his novels Siddhartha and Steppenwolf, Hesse received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1946.