Reviews tagging 'Suicide attempt'

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

10 reviews

buud_w0rm's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I feel a shift in my view of the world after this read. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did! Would recommend if you like a classical spiritual journey through trial and error and unexpected teachers along the way.
I thought this was the story of Buddha beforehand, but the Buddha is an actual character in this story!

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krosebooks's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

*A book based on the Buddha. Hesse just uses the same name.*

Great spiritual and personal growth of character. Spirituality is based off of Buddhist philosophies. Great messages and insight of living in the same time as the Buddha. 

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ed_moore's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

This was so so so unbelievably good. I don’t know why nor how but Hesse’s ‘Siddhartha’ absolutely broke me, especially in its conclusion. It is a bildungsroman tale of a young man in India 600 years before the birth of Christ, and his gaining of a Buddhist faith, the loss of that faith and the rediscovery of it again. It is a quaint tale of a quest for enlightenment which explores what it means to be human in so many degrees and in such a profound way. I really didn’t expect much from this book when I started it but it absolutely blew me away. 

Hesse’s writing is so well done and encapsulates so much emotion, and though by no means religious myself it was such a hopeful and sweet story that brought me so much joy and pushed so much good. The amount covered in the short length and character development was brilliant, and there are dark sections and triggers but despite this it still felt completely pure, and these elements had such crucial purposes. Not to mention the narrator of the audiobook I listened to, James Langton, pronounced the name ‘Siddhartha’ in such a satisfying way. 

The ending really struck me and significantly jumped up my rating too. I don’t know what it was about ti but the description was beautiful and profound, and the story feeling so complete, that it really had an effect on me. I was listening to final chapter just in complete awe at how amazingly written a work of literature it was. I am so surprised how much I enjoyed this book as it really isn’t typically my sort of interests but it was so brilliant. I absolutely adored it.

Om.

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caffinatedslug's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75


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livelaughomo's review against another edition

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challenging inspiring reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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dlrosebyh's review against another edition

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inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is the tale of a rich Indian Brahmin who gives up his privileged lifestyle in search of enlightenment. Hesse combines several philosophical perspectives—including Eastern faiths, Jungian archetypes, and Western individualism—into a singular interpretation of life as it is revealed through the pursuit of genuine meaning by one man. 
 
This is such a fantastic tale of a man learning the true meaning of serenity after passing through several stages, in my opinion. I wasn't sure whether I would like it because I don't read philosophy books very often, and they tend to be hit or miss for most people, but this one is certainly a hit because Siddharta is somewhat similar to me. 

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solarorange's review against another edition

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3.0


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bookishlucy's review against another edition

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informative mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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cptnstphy's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Siddhartha came at an important time of growth in my life, and I wish to own it now to re-read it annually as I navigate building my Self and spiritual awareness and beliefs. The most positive lasting effect this book had on me is that I now pause to meditate and/or listen to any river I encounter to hear its teachings (or to hear more clearly the inner workings of my mind). 

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irisirae's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes

3.0

 
"He smiled at the river. Was this not the river in which he had once wished to drown himself - hundred of years ago - or had he dreamt it?"
 

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