Siddharta - Pre-Read

[Betsy]

Hello wonderful readers and welcome to the March 2022 Classics selection. This month we'll be reading Siddharta by Hermann Hesse.

This is the space for pre-reading discussion. If you want to let it all out, please go head over here.

What do you know of this novel? Will you be picking it up with us?

[Caitlin]

Interesting - my brother just gave me this book and it’s on my bookshelf but I wasn’t planning on ever reading it. But here we are and it’s right there and it’s short. So why not? I have no idea what it’s about ..

[Thuha]

Coincidentally, I planned to read this book before I found out it’s the book for March! I guess I’ll participate in this topic ;)

Excited to read what’s described as a spiritual novel. I consider myself pretty spiritual. I know a little bit about the life of the Siddartha Guatama before he became the Buddha. I can’t wait to read this interpretation of his life!

[fleurette]

I've read Steppenwolf a few years ago, but it didn't work for me. I wasn't planning on reading any more books by Hesse. But this is a short book so maybe I'll give it a go.

[Ronnie]

I just finished reading this book. It is short and might be slow to some but it sure does make you think about how you live your life. I find it more philosophical then spiritual.

[Thuha]

I also think it was more philosophical than spiritual… however, I did enjoy it enough to read more about Herman Hesse’s other works! His works have a theme of reflecting his own spiritual journey in life (looked him up on wiki)… and I think it’d be interesting to observe how the author’s perspective is tied to how his fictional characters navigate their worlds.

[Renata]

Growing up in the 70's, it was considered "cool" to be carrying this book. All the hippies and flower children were reading it then. I missed the trend, so 50 years later, I'll finally see what all the fuss was about.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

Renata wrote: "Growing up in the 70's, it was considered "cool" to be carrying this book. All the hippies and flower children were reading it then. I missed the trend, so 50 years later, I'll finally see what all..."

Me too.

: D

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

I am surprised at the simplicity of the book! Age-old insights boiled down to their essences.