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What are readers saying about Siddhartha A New Translation?
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-10-11 06:20:50.
(Language: English)
 
The book is boring till you reach the last chapter which is very well written and I agree with most of it....It reveals human thirst to believe in himself, and this super power that can have many definitions.....I believe that the writer would have written a better novel if he knew about Salman elfaresy or he had read about Islam in general....
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-11-22 10:19:15.
(Language: Portuguese)
Tradução Portuguesa
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-01-25 06:59:31.
(Language: English)
"...each of us has to find out for himself what is permitted and what is forbidden - forbidden for him. It is possible for one never to transgress a single law and still be a bastard. And vice versa. Actually it's only a question of convenience. Those who are too lazy and comfortable to think for themselves and be their own judges obey the laws. Others sense their own laws within them; things are forbidden to them that every honorable man will do any day in the year and other things are allowed to them that are generally despised. Each person must stand on his own feet."
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-07-05 01:01:23.
(Language: English)
This is a beautiful book, i couldnt help lukin at life from his point of view..siddharta a young boy with the quest for knowledge and iner peace, unstoppable, yet calm n patient. He starts as a brahman's son, then runs into the forest to become a samana. He leaves the forest to search for more answers, and comes acoss the holy gotama, who warns him against too much cleverness.siddharta embarks on another journey to experience things on his own, to find opinions of his own...this journey starts by falling in love, and bcoming a rich man...the book ends with a twist hilighting how the cycle of a man is repeated within this life itself...the last pages of a book consist of siddharta living by the sea. Before reading this book, i din't know the sea could hold so many secrets..BEAUTIFUL expressions, there is great use of litreature.
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-10-10 11:53:01.
(Language: English)
What a great thinker Hesse is! In fact, that's an understatement - Hesse is a genius when it comes to observing human nature, discovering man's deepest desire(s), truly grasping the depravity of the human condition and the beauty of simplicity and nature itself, and expressing it all so articulately in a novel. This piece of literature speaks abundant truth but unfortunately, it does not answer everything it sets out to do. I was VERY disappointed w/ the ending of this book; I was expecting a lil more "oooomfppph", and less "om" @ the end! I found the "om" bit weak and unconvincing. (Read the book if you don't know what "om" talking about! <--pun intended!) As a Christian brought up by a family w/ Buddhist/Eastern philosphical views, I see many parallels between both beliefs and other religions in the word, in terms of love and the lofty attempt at moral perfection, peace and happiness. But I just wish people would see the missing piece to the puzzle - a Creator, a Saviour who sacrificed his life and died for our sins... call Him what you want, but He is the answer. This is my first Hesse work and it won't be my last!! *Think, wait, and fast!*
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Gregory posted a review at 2011-02-03 07:21:48.
(Language: English)
Life is life; it can only be understood by living it.
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Elizabeth posted a review at 2011-11-09 06:59:07.
(Language: English)
love this book
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-06-20 10:05:47.
(Language: English)
Siddhartha is brief, but as the author does not dwell on time and place so much as the development of his protagonist, the novella need not be dragged out. Siddhartha is an artfully crafted glance into the mind of a man searching for purpose in the time of the Buddha. I'd recommend looking up the basics of Buddhism before reading this, or a few words won't be rightfully appreciated.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-02-15 03:29:32.
(Language: English)
Hesse's novel lacks all things that it has been praised for. I can't imagine that a logical person would see the book as a life saver. the two biggest motifs in the book is firstly "it is impossible to learn from teachers" and secondly that "love brings nothing but pain." this book is riddled with so much contradictions that the author defeats himself in his own speech. I think there is a term for people like that... "emo"the constant "life is pointless" and "life is pointless living" makes me constantly want to drop the book, sadly it was an english class read, so I was not permitted to do so. Btw, I think there is a bi-sexual undertone to this book. *shudders*
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-11-30 11:43:12.
(Language: English)
I think this is the edition I read; I can't speak to the merits of various editions or translations, but this is an excellent book and should be read by all. Hesse cuts straight to the quick of Eastern tradition to reach a view of Enlightenment that is profound and, critically, not tied to any one dogma or practice. Your spiritual journey is occurring right now, wherever you are and whatever you're doing: read Siddhartha for a moving tale of how one young man approached his own quest.
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-07-05 11:16:11.
(Language: English)
c/o Free Kindle Classics Journey of enlightenment. Check out my posterous page for review: dreamluster.posterous.com.
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-08-16 11:13:16.
(Language: English)
A novel I can relate to. The ending is perfect and Herman Hesse writing is almost a spiritual guide.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-06-27 09:46:40.
(Language: English)
Although Siddhartha is generally understood to be the childhood name of the first historical Buddha, readers should know that this is NOT about the Buddha. Rather this is a novel about another Hindu prince who happens to live at the same time as the Buddha, and happens too meet him a few times along the path to his own enlightenment. It is nontheless an excellent tale about the ups and downs in the long life of a man who leaves home to embark on the life of a Hindu ascetic in order to find enlightnement. He encounters periods of despair and disenchantment, great sufferring, as well as great learning. Hesse is a master writer, though a bit orientalist in his approach--as was the style of his day--this is an enjoyable introduction to some concepts about the ascetic lifestyle for Western readers.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-10-10 09:17:06.
(Language: English)
This is the best book I hv read till now....amazing n spell binding... fm the Nobel Laurate Hermen Hesse It is a story of an Indian boy Siddhartha, who was born intelligent in khowledgable Brahmin family n grown up amongst the learned people....but he feels tht something is missing to complete the chain...he uses all his knowledge...leaves home...follows the path of Samanas for 3 years of hardships....what he now learns are 3 virtues..to think, to wait n to fast....then he comes back to wordly pleasures back....achieves all the pleasures with 3 virtues (to think, to wait n to fast) .....spends time in magical learning of how to make love with Kamala- a courtesan....learns how to do a business....leaves all these too...then learns to ferry the boat...n there he achieves greatest secret at the bank of the river...the river teaches him the most secret n simplest laws of life.... Hermen Hesse's language is so simple yet highly penetrative....everyone can instantly correlate oneself with the central character
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Jonathan posted a review at 2012-12-17 06:22:44.
(Language: English)
Last chapter was full of some nice quotes related to Buddhism, but otherwise I was not impressed at all by this story. Written more 3 score ago, this book seemed like a “modern day” remake of the classic story of the life of Buddha. I learned nothing new in this Hollywood remake vs. the original story, and have no idea why it was so popular and brought such success to Herman Hesse except that at such a time ago in Europe there was probably less information exchange in that day and age and fewer who knew about Buddhism. I’ll rank as decent overall only because of some pretty good summary quotes in the last chapter that capture the spirit of Buddhism… [p.141] ‘”When someone is seeking,” said Siddartha, “it happens quite easily that he only sees the thing that he is seeking; that he is unable to find anything, unable to absorb anything, because he is only thinking of the thing he is seeking, because he has a goal, because he is obsessed with his goal. Seeking means: to have a goal; but finding means: to be free, to be receptive, to have no goal. You, O worthy one, are perhaps indeed a seeker, for in striving towards your goal, you do not see many things that are under your nose.”’ [p.142] ‘Siddartha said: “Yes, I have had thoughts and knowledge here and there. Sometimes, for an hour or for a day, I have become aware of knowledge, just as one feels life in one’s heart. I have had many thoughts, but it would be difficult for me to tell you about them. But this is one thought that has impressed me, Govinda. Wisdom is not communicable. The widsom which a wise man tries to communicate always sounds foolish.” [p.143] ‘For example, a truth can only be expressed and enveloped in words if it is one-sided. Everything that is thought and expressed n words is one-sided, only half the truth; it all lacks totality, completeness, unity. When the Illustrious Buddha taught about the world, he had to divide it into Samsara and Nirvana, into illusion and truth, into suffering and salvation. One cannot do otherwise, there is no other method for those who teach. But the world itself, being in and around us, is never one-sided. Never is a man or a deed wholly Samsara or wholly Nirvana; never is am an wholly a saint or a sinner. This only seems because so because we suffer the illusion that time is something real. Time is not real, Govinda. I have realized this repeatedly. And if time si not real, then the dividing line that seems to lie between this world and eternity, between suffering and bliss, between good and evil, is also an illusion.’ [p.144-45] ‘Siddartha bent down, lifted a stone from the ground and held it in his hand. “This,” he said, handling it, “is a stone and within a certain length of time it will perhaps be soil and from the soil it will become plant, animal or man. Previously I should have said: This stone is just a stone, it has no value, it belongs to the world of Maya, but perhaps because within the cycle of change it can also become man and spirit, it is also of importance. That is what I should have thought. But now I think: This stone is stone; it is also animal, God and Buddha. I do not respect and love it because it was one thing and will become something else, but because it has already long been everything and always is everything. I love it just because it is a stone, because today and now it appears to me a stone.’
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-10-19 04:14:40.
(Language: English)
My mind is officially blown - not only by the simplicity and sincerity of thought, but by love, and peace, and understand, and wonder at what this work must have meant for people 90 years ago. Whatever I say here, however, will sound foolish, for words always sound foolish to some, and truth can only ever be felt and known - never spoken of.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-07-21 01:48:15.
(Language: English)
When read in small chunks (ie not completing the chapter), this can come across quite depressing. But this is truly a magical book. A graduate of Philosophy once explained the precepts and concepts of Buddhism to me, and Hesse has elegantly put this into a lyrical journey. The book in itself is a journey and I want to own this. There are so many lessons to learn about what is important in life, and what we should concentrate on. I can't be a samana, and am guilty of samsara, but I can learn. As Siddharta said, "I can think. I can wait. I can fast." There are lessons in that we could all learn. More importantly, for anyone who works with anyone else, friction is a given. This is a wonderful book to return to - it helps you centre, it helps you understand. Hesse's language is delicate, light, and captures wonderfully the tone you would expect Siddharta to take on. This particular version is lovely. I want this.
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-06-25 11:09:55.
(Language: English)
Review of Kevin: The story of a young man rejecting societal expectations and material wealth and setting out on a journey of self-discovery that ultimately leads to enlightenment.•••Critique de Véronique: "Siddharta est un jeune brahmane. Son enfance et son adolescence ont été bercés par les préceptes de l'enseignement traditionnel. Un jour, cet enseignement ne lui suffit plus. Siddharta ne trouve pas ce qu'il cherche. Il quitte donc sa famille pour se joindre aux ascètes samanas qui vivent frugalement dans la nature. Siddharta apprend beaucoup, mais reste insatisfait. Un jour, il entend parler de la doctrine de Gautama, du Bouddha, il veut l'entendre. Il ne peut pourtant pas accepter cette doctrine et désire rejoindre les hommes pour vivre auprès d'eux. Il apprend le métier de commerçant auprès de Kamaswani et les folies amoureuses auprès de la belle courtisane Kamala. Il goûte à tous les plaisirs des hommes : l'argent, l'alcool, le jeu, et finit par sombrer, par se détester. Au bout de nombreuses années, il finit par tout quitter et par revenir à la Nature. Hermann Hesse a écrit un roman initiatique. Il décrit l'Inde mystérieuse et plonge le lecteur dans une dimension qui se veut un questionnement sur le monde, une recherche de la sagesse." •••
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-12-13 04:46:33.
(Language: English)
This book is a classic. This book is a very simple read and yet so succinct in getting it's message across to you, its superb.You have to have to absorb it in it's entirety. And no, this book is not about Gautama the Buddha, though the name says Siddharta, the book is about a boy, a prince, a wanderer, a worldly man, an overindulgent drunkard, a compulsive gambler, a womanizer, a slave to the riches, a business man, a ferryman, a father and THE TRANSITIONS. It's about a man who set's out to seek that which will satisfy his thirst and fulfill his heart with joy. On his jjourney he even meets Gautama The Buddha and decides not to become his disciple for he want's to experience what he is after without someone else's learning's that he feels can be translated into words but no avail as words are dual and will not bottle the true experience in its entirety. This is The Alchemist of the dunes of turbulent and relentless yearning's of a worldly man finding his peace in the midst o it all
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shashank posted a review at 2012-05-30 03:33:19.
(Language: English)
I did not like it much... good but not for me
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-06-23 09:05:52.
(Language: English)
A profound novel about a young man’s journey towards self-awareness and enlightenment. In the novel, Siddhartha first starts off his journey by being a wandering ascetic. However, when he still doesn’t find true happiness he allows himself to be consumed by a life of self-indulgence (i.e. materialistic goods) and sexual spirituality. However, it wasn’t until he lived a life as a humble ferryman did he truly find happiness and peace. There is a lot of insightful thoughts and truth within this book. I agree with Hesse in the sense that one cannot find true happiness without understanding one self. But that is something I have found that is difficult to do, because to look at ourselves is to confront all our flaws and sins, shattering any illusions we may have made our life to be. However, in order to achieve that kind of inner peace we must be aware of our ugliness because how else will we be able to change ourselves for the better? I also liked how Hesse talks about how the line between good and evil, Sansara and Nirvana are blurred. It kind of remind me of the Ying Yang symbol where these two forces are opposites and yet complementary to one another. Overall, I loved the book. It is about personal growth and I think everyone can relate to that!
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-09-15 03:11:40.
(Language: English)
Most things that will benefit you, you already know. It's simply putting them into practice and cultivating positive states of mind. This book aids in that pursuit. It's not so much as what's in the pages, but how you feel when you are reading it and when you are finished. I consider it to be a calming meditation, clearing the mind with it's simplicity. No matter how much you know about Self, there is always more to discover, no matter where you look. Seek truth, and you will find it everywhere. Every event and moment has the power to enlighten if viewed correctly. For the exact reason that this book is not very complex, I think it is an excellent place to begin and to return to in one's quest for personal or universal truth.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-05-11 11:05:58.
(Language: German)
Hermann Hesses Auseinandersetzung mit der indischen Philosophie und Religion spiegelt sich im Siddhartha wider. Die stark stilisierte Geschichte eines indischen Brahmanensohns trägt autobiografische Züge, was u. a. in der Ablehnung dogmatischer Lehren deutlich wird. Inhalt: Die Erzählung schildert den Weg Siddharthas, der zusammen mit seinem Freund Govinda sein Elternhaus und seine Heimat auf der Suche nach Erkenntnis verlässt. Bei den besitzlos lebenden Samanas hoffen sie, diese als asketische Büßer in der Überwindung des Ich und durch die Verachtung der irdischen Welt zu finden. Doch vergeblich, und so führt der Weg die beiden Freunde weiter zu Gautama Buddha, dem Erhabenen. Während Govinda zum Jünger Buddhas wird, findet Siddharta keine Erfüllung in dessen Lehre. Durch ein ausschweifendes weltliches Leben hofft er seinem Ziel näher zu kommen. Die Kurtisane Kamala führt ihn in die Liebeskunst ein, der reiche Kaufmann Kamaswami verhilft ihm zu Geld und Macht. Nach Jahren fühlt sich Siddhartha leer und lebensmüde. Er verlässt Kamala und sucht Ruhe beim Fährmann Vasudeva. Siddhartha lernt von den Stimmen des Flusses das Geheimnis des ewigen Wandels begreifen und erkennt die Einheit, die aus der Vielfalt erwächst. Bei einer letzten Begegnung mit seinem Freund Siddhartha sieht Govinda in das Gesicht eines Heiligen, der wie Buddha die Vollendung erlangt hat. Aufbau: Die Erzählung gliedert sich in zwei Teile und beschreibt chronologisch Siddharthas zweistufigen Läuterungsprozess. Erst als er die Phasen der Suche und Verzweiflung überwunden hat, gelangt er zu jener Weisheit, die über allen Dogmen und Lehren steht. Wirkung: Siddhartha gilt als meistgelesenes Werk des 20. Jahrhunderts und wurde bis heute weltweit in einer zweistelligen Millionenauflage gedruckt. Das Werk wurde besonders in den 1960er Jahren zum Kultbuch der von der fernöstlichen Kultur und Religion inspirierten jungen Generation.
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Melissa posted a review at 2009-07-17 12:06:52.
(Language: English)
This is the Siddhartha version I read senior year of high school. I remember reluctantly doing so a day or two before our summer reading test on the book. After reading it in less than half a day, I couldn't believe I had ever doubted reading anything, and from then on sought to read any and every book I could get my hands on. I can't imagine a book better suited for the variety of people in this world, it seems it has something inspirational within it for anyone and everyone. Read immediately if you have not already done so, Hesse will change your life in less than 160 pages. Journey to the East (another one of Hesse's masterpieces) will change your life in less than 130 pages (I recommend reading this following any existential crises you may experience in your life - this book will bring you back to square one).
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-06-16 03:56:19.
(Language: English)
A book, that not only makes you think but changes your thinking forever. I had hangover for pretty long time after I finished reading it and that does not happen too often to me...at least not after reading a book, if you know what I mean :) It may not give you the answers but it will raise pretty important questions that we subconsciously avoid. In all the hassle, we lose the sight of what we are truly after. What is it that we are pursuing? Money, fame, relations, happiness, comfort. Each has its importance in one's life yet it helps put things in perspective. So in a nutshell, its not preachy and extremely powerful in so many ways, perhaps because its not preachy. I don't like preachy anyway.
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