Siddhartha (1922)

I enjoyed Siddhartha. It was a beautiful, inspiring read. Highly recommend it! ( )

Not a bad short philosophical read. Gave me a few moments of reflection, which I felt was a good thing...a book that makes one think. Novel concept. ( )

This review is specifically for the audio version read by Geoffrey Giuliano. This is a pretty suitable book for audio. It is only about five hours long and the story is straightforward. The narrator does a good job, but whoever records the intro and outro sections sounds like a maniac. I almost stopped listening after a few seconds.

As for the book, it is one I've had on my shelf for decades but never read. I read Hesse's Steppenwolf, when I was a teen or maybe in my early twenties; I remember liking it but don't remember anything else about it. I thought Siddhartha was about the Buddha, but in fact, it is about someone who meets the Buddha but, while appreciating his teachings, realizes that you cannot achieve nirvana through teachings. One line I particularly remember is that knowledge can be taught, but wisdom cannot. During the course of the story, Siddhartha tries out many lifestyles and can be said to succeed in all of them, but he is still finding. Which relates to another great quote, which is that those who seek cannot find, because they are too focused on what they are seeking. Meaning they miss out on all the other things around them. By the end of the book, Siddhartha seems to have found what he needs to find. Whether or not you as a reader can embrace his ultimate philosophy is up to you. The contradictory nature of the book is that Siddhartha would probably tell you not to--you have to find your own. ( )

Quite a journey. An attempt at explaining the "river" of life. Full of philosophy, religion, humanity and a final comment on the meaning of love. A very thought provoking little story of discovery, sin, redemption and the struggle for the meaning of life. Glad I finally read this little story. ( )

Wonderful. One man's journey to perfection through knowledge, ascetisism, sin and excess, the joy of simple life, love and loss. There are so many lessons and quotes in this short book. Some that stood out to me: Knowledge can be transferred, however wisdom can be only found in one's own experience. Everyone has to find their own path. Thinking, ascetisism, self-deprivation, self-indulgence do not bring happiness but they are necessary experiences on the path to it. The ultimate wisdom is love; the abilty to love everything, everyone, be one with the world and love everything as being yourself. The self is part of everything and everything is in the self. All sinners carry the Buddha within. Searching may stop you from finding - when one searches, they have a goal in mind and fail to notice other things; finding requires an open mind and seeing everything.

I am no wiser but I have gained knowledge - and hope to learn to listen to the voice of the river. ( )