[x] Oops - we couldn't find that profile.

Siddhartha
My rating:
didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing
add to my books
read book

Siddhartha

3.85 of 5 stars 3.85  ·  rating details  ·  85,576 ratings  ·  3,740 reviews
In the shade of a banyan tree, a grizzled ferryman sits listening to the river. Some say he's a sage. He was once a wandering shramana &, briefly, like thousands of others, he followed Gotama the Buddha, enraptured by his sermons. But this man, Siddhartha, wasn't a follower of any but his own soul. Born the son of a Brahmin, Siddhartha was blessed in appearance, intelligen...more
Kindle Edition
Published April 12th 2010 (first published January 1st 1922)
more details... edit details
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
sign in »

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 113,761)
filter  |  sort: default (?)  |  rating details
Stephen
Photobucket

My apologies if this review reeks of "GUSHness." However, it gave me that ONE-OF-A-KIND reading experience that doesn't come along often and so I think it is certainly worthy of the praise I shall heep upon it. Beautifully written and a deeply personal story, Hesse has created the ultimate expression of the journey of self-discovery.

The book details the story of Siddhartha, the young and brilliant son of a Brahmin in ancient India. The Brahmin are the uber reve...more
Kemper
So there’s a damn dirty hippie in India named Siddhartha who is supposed to be seeking spiritual enlightenment, but instead of going to a good Christian church like a normal person, he wanders around the woods for a while with some other damn dirty hippies. After he meets Buddha, he finally gets tired of being broke-ass and homeless, and he goes into town where he makes a pile of money. This is good because everyone knows that engaging in capitalism is the only proper way to go through life. As...more
John
I taught this book to juniors, and when I did I became frustrated with a student when I introduced it, because he let his classmates know that he'd already read it and it sucked. I'm happy to report, now that we've finished it, that his comments didn't seem to hurt the class's opinion of the book too badly. In fact, that student himself said it was pretty good and that he'd only skimmed it the last time he read it. Lousy kids.... Another student said it was his favorite book that we'd read so fa...more
Michelle
Whatever. Blah blah blah Samana. Blah blah blah Kamala. Blah blah blah Samsara. Blah blah blah River. Blah blah blah Om.
HappyHippo
Ehm.. "terintimidasi" dan "terprovokasi" oleh seorang Amang yang telah menyelesaikan buku ini (sori, sempet dilibas dulu ama Harry Potter 7, hehe). Awalnya hanya "mark as to read" saja karena sempat melihat bukunya di toko dan berharap mungkin suatu saat akan membacanya. Akan tetapi seorang Amang juga pada hari yang sama melakukan "mark as to read" pada buku ini, akhirnya berunding, tawar menawar (emangnya dagang) dan sepakat untuk membacanya bersama (bali...more
Sheila
When I edited my high school newspaper, we produced a popular feature called “Phot-O-pinion” where we asked a question about a (sometimes) pressing topic, quoted the student or teacher and snapped their pic. For one issue, at the suggestion of my journalism teacher Mrs. Kelley, I asked teachers to name a book that changed their lives. I can’t remember all the responses, but without hesitation, one teacher told me, “Siddhartha, because it showed me a completely different perspective on life.”
...more
Dan
Dan rated it 5 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: 2010
Siddhartha rejects his life as a Brahman's son and goes out into the world in a quest for enlightenment, to live as an ascetic. After meeting Buddha, Siddhartha rejects the ascetic life for a more material one, the life of a merchant, learning the ways of love from a courtesan, and in time leaves that life behind as well. Will Siddhartha ever find what he is looking for?

Normally, a Nobel prize winning book wouldn't get a second look from me. I'm more into people getting pistol whi...more
Jana
Frank and I were having a conversation the other night in which we were discussing one of our usual topics: religion / spirituality... though I guess the other favorites (art, film, food, books, money woes, professional woes, traffic rants, geography, bad weather, family woes, music, soccer, our friends and our beloved cats) were probably discussed as well... But we were both expressing our mistrust of inexperience, and how we'd never want to take "wisdom" from someone who hadn't live...more
Mohammed
I knew nothing about this author and the book when i read this. It was refreshing i could let his words decide how i picture him, his works.

It was a novel that worked on many levels for me, storytelling technique wise it was simple but very effective. Prose wise it was written like it was beautiful old colorful poetry, it sang to me. I was moved by the insightful ideas,thoughts in the novel. I cant believe how powerful, important things he said with only 123 pages. Its easily the...more
Tanu Das
Tanu Das rated it 4 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition
Recommended to Tanu by: stephen's review
When I picked up Siddhartha, I was expecting something totally different. Buddha’s life being not on the list of things I am completely unaware of (the list including sports, politics, business, computer etc), I expected to hear stories which my grandmother told me since I was a toddler. Since Siddhartha is the former name of Gautama Buddha, I thought this was his biography. Hence, I was greatly surprised and confused, especially in parts about Kamala. I know, it makes sense that my grandmoth...more
Lauren
Siddhartha’s choices lead him on a journey into the inner psyche. Siddhartha is open to any experiences that will give him added insight into himself. His approach to achieving enlightenment varies from one extreme to another, from total self-deprivation to complete submission of will to carnal desires. While his approach to attaining enlightenment varies throughout the different stages of his life, one thing remains constant: Siddhartha’s determination to attain self-actualization. Siddhart...more
Andrew
Andrew rated it 3 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition
Recommends it for: Spiritual Seekers, Fans of Hard Core Depression
"Siddartha," as I recall it, was a difficult book to get through. In ninth grade, everything is difficult to get through. It's like walking around in a world where the air is made of jello. So much effort, and not enough grapes and peaches and other fruit cocktail misfits floating around to sustain you.

Hesse seeks to convince you that this is essentially the nature of life, and he does it pretty well. The book is fundamentally boring and slow, just like life, and it seems ...more
MeaganS Swingle Fiallos
I think I had to read this in high school and was bored by it, but I gave it another shot, and I really liked it a lot more this time. I think I "get it" more now, 15 years after I read it the first time.

I am drawn to one of the central themes - that everyone's path to enlightenment is different. I am a Christian and that is my chosen path to bring me closer to God and salvation, but I have great respect for other religions, and I can't bring myself to believe that they ar...more
Amang Suramang
Amang Suramang rated it 5 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition
Recommends it for: para pencari kebenaran sejati
Recommended to Amang by: Jaja, Paulo Coelho
"Membaca Buddha" bagian 1:

Latar belakang:
Saya, Erie dan Roos sedang sama-sama membaca Buddha dalam rangka menyambut Waisak (taela)... Ini adalah rangkaian sebuah pembacaan kolektif dan massif yang melibatkan beragam sumber mulai dari Siddhartha Hermann Hesse yang ditulis pada tahun '20-an hingga Buddha-nya Deepak Chopra yang ditulis pada tahun 2007, mulai dari yang serius ala Mencari Jejak sampai graphic novel Ozamu Tezuka. Tujuannya adalah pemahaman holistik yang leb...more
Jeremy
I'm kind of embarrassed to admit it, but I've never read anything by Hesse before. I usually don't go in for spiritual parable-ish stuff, but this is really wonderful. His writing has this lyrical, fresh-eyed quality to it that very few people writing in German can pull off. You don't exactly have to dig deep to figure out what he's talking about, but I found his direct approach rather refreshing. And it's always nice to be reminded that so much of who we are and what we think takes place entire...more
Matthew
The most epically boring book I've ever read. I had successfully blocked this from my memory, but a recent poll on Goodreads about your least favorite required read in high school opened the floodgates and brought the pain back.
Ara
This little book is as potent as a teaspoon of jabanero sauce on my Thai noodles, and Hermann, being a Germann, makes it just as efficient. An epic journey on a string of DNA winding through life, coiled and compressed into this small package for the busy intellectual. Despite having the brevity of a political soundbite, this novel will overwhelm you like a China Buffet, offering you everything from spartan sticky rice to brimming eggrolls to rich soft serve ice cream. And it requires several da...more
Angus
Disclaimer: This is not a review. This may have spoilers. Read at your own risk. Visit original post at Book Rhapsody.

***

Intro

I was confused then. I was scouring the classics section of a book store. I didn’t know which book to buy. So many books, so little cash. So I texted my old flame. Which do you think is better, this one or Siddhartha. He went for Siddhartha.

I was half-wishing for him to choose the other one, which I cannot recall. It must have been ...more
Maria
Siddhartha, son of a Brahman, is on a quest to find the meaning of life. We follow him as he struggles on through his journey, through many different life experiences. He is on a spiritual journey to find out for himself who he really is. Along the way he meets rich people, poor people, holy people, and becomes part of their world for a short time. Through his many encounters, he learns much more about himself and the world, but for a long time he is still not satisfied and still feels a dee...more
Sirpa Grierson
"The teaching which you have heard, however, is not my opinion, and its goal is not to explain the world to those who are thirsty for knowledge. Its goal is quite different; its goal is salvation from suffering." 27

The Four Noble Truths are universal teachings that I suppose it will take more than a lifetime to integrate into my beling. I love how the focus of this book changes as I mature. The purpose of a symbol, according to Hugh Nibley, is to "direct, concentrate, ...more
Milo
After having finished this book mere minutes ago I am left feeling enlightened. Herman Hesse's literary prowess and philosophical points resonate within me. This book exudes worldly knowledge that, being of a younger age, I couldn't fully appreciate yet. Nonetheless, like all of us, I have been frustrated with life. I have suffered, felt hate, sought peace, and I too fear the end of this life. Hesse's work has served to quiet my soul and at the moment all I feel is quiet contentment, much like S...more
Rob
Rob rated it 3 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition
Recommends it for: armchair Buddhists (in the Great White West)
Shelves: own, 2007
Judging from the title, I went into this thinking: This is Hesse's take on the life of Siddhartha Gautama.... You know, the Buddha? Instead we get this thin parallel of Hesse's "Siddhartha" rubbed up tangentially against Gautama's life and acts.

I suppose that this prejudice tainted my overall read.

That said, I did not find Hesse's Siddhartha to be a particularly mature or captivating work. It was well-crafted and (at times) thought-provoking but not particula...more
Shakirah
Siddharta, in my opinion is a book which can be interpreted in a myriad of ways by its reader. For me personally, it represents the search for happiness by the self. The search for the meaning of life, the purpose for one's existence. Siddharta tries to reveal that true happiness can't be found by following teachings of any teachers or scholars but one has to find for oneself, experience and taste the wonders of enlightenment by oneself. Hesse illustrative power makes you live the atmosphere an...more
HM
ای عاشقان کیمیاگر کوئیلو به راستی این سیدارتهاست که به سلوک می رود همانگونه که هسه خود در واقع طی طریق می کرده و نه چون کوئیلو کاسب کاری

سيدارتها گمشده اي دارد جوياي كمال است . گاه تشنه تعليم و گاه گريزان از معلمان طريق و براستي در ميان اين بينهايت راه بهتريني وجود دارد . سئوال ها بسيارند و كلام عاجز و انديشه هاي جستجوگر حيران
Edy
Herman Hesse merupakan peraih Nobel sastra tahun 1946 dari Jerman. Beliau aktif menyuarakan perdamaian dan anti perang.

Dalam novel yang bersetting agama Buddha ini diceritakan Siddharta yang muda dan tampan rela meninggalkan keluarga, sahabat, status sosial dan sang Buddha demi memperoleh pencerahan diri. Dia rela menanggalkan status brahmin (kasta yang tinggi) untuk bergabung dengan kaum “samana”. Kaum ini berusaha untuk mematikan nafsu duniawi dengan hanya berpakaian minim seadanya...more
Teji
I first read this book in high school and again, as an adult, with my book club. This remains one of my all-time favorite books. In many ways the story mirrors the actual life of the Buddah--but not quite. It is the story of one person's search for enlightenment. Hesse presents just that--that, while there may be commanalitites, really enlightment is an individual journey and one cannot achieve personal enlightment by walking someone else's path. I found this idea provacative and compelling...more
Almeta
Something intrinsically wrong about reviewing a book of enlightenment. Even Siddhartha himself will tell you that words will take you away from illumination.

Yet here I am.

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse lead me on a path through classic modes employed by the philosophical few who are on the quest for Nirvana. He presents the journey through the experience of one man who is “trying them all”, before he achieves his goal.

Hermann Hesse makes it easy to see that eac...more
Ariel
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
NG
الرواية تنتمي إلى نوع كتب "البحث عن الذات".. وعادة ما اقلق من هذا الطراز من الكتب، إذ يحمل، إن لم يكن الكاتب متمكناً من صنعته، الكثير من الحذلقة وأحياناً تسفيه من حياة البسطاء من الناس..
الكتاب عن رحلة بحث إنسان عن السعادة، أو بمعنى ادق رحلة بحث عن الطمأنينة والسكينة وما يحملانه من سعادة.. هذا ما شعرت به كهدف..

أسلوب هرمان هسه الراقي جعل من رحلة البحث رحلة ممتعة للقارئ، بما فيها من ألم وحزنن وضياع ثم عثور على ما ضاع..
الكتاب يحمل الكثير من الحكمة، الحكمة التي لا يم...more
« previous 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 3792 3793
topics  posts  views  last activity   
Spirituality 30 224 Jan 06, 2012 03:44am  
CRW3053-Fall 2011...: Ying or Yang 1 3 Nov 14, 2011 12:23am  
the brahmin 4 71 Aug 10, 2011 12:09pm  
Siddhartha (Mass Market Paperback)
Siddhartha (Paperback)
Siddhartha (Paperback)
Siddharta (Paperback)
Siddhartha (Paperback)

Readers Also Enjoyed

1113469
Hermann Hesse was a German-Swiss poet, novelist, and painter. In 1946, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature. His best known works include Steppenwolf, Siddhartha, and The Glass Bead Game (also known as Magister Ludi) which explore an individual's search for spirituality outside society.

Hesse was born in the Black Forest town of Calw to a Christian missionary family. Both of his pa...more
More about Hermann Hesse...
Steppenwolf Demian Narcissus and Goldmund The Glass Bead Game Beneath the Wheel

Share This Book

Your website
Pin It
20 trivia questions
3 quizzes
More quizzes & trivia...
“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.” 123 people liked it
“What could I say to you that would be of value, except that perhaps you seek too much, that as a result of your seeking you cannot find.” 109 people liked it
More quotes…

Boxall's 1001  Books You Must Read Before You Die
Boxall's 1001 Books You ...
10997 members
last activity 3 hours, 35 min ago
shelf: read
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Romance Readers Reading C...
4399 members
last activity 4 minutes ago
shelf: read
Arabic Books
Arabic Books
2955 members
last activity 10 hours, 12 min ago
shelf: read