ekacecilia's review against another edition
4.0
It took me about 15 years to finally finish, and I fully understand why. A clear exploration of human ego and suffering that I couldn't have understood before. The timeframe it was written (1920s) was fully male-centric so the treatment of women is predictably patriarchal. Siddhartha's mother is never even mentioned, and the only female character exists to serve the narrator. But aside from these glaring problems, the journey of souls through the cycle of human suffering is brilliantly told. A few of the passages toward the end are some of the most beautiful I've ever read. I feel really moved, and like the spirit of this book and the heart of the message will stay with me for a long time. We all have our own path to follow, and ultimately it's all one. Love and light, fellow humans. ✌️
elisa_amely's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
catacatalina's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
quello_che_fu_silvia's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
books_doodles's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The title of the book is the name of our protagonist and this story takes place in India in the 6th century B.C.
Siddhartha is thus a young boy, the son of a Brahmin, who lives a life of privilege and comfort. He is a very intelligent and very promising young man, devoting himself to learning the teachings of his father and other Brahmins. But Siddhartha is not satisfied. One of his goals is to achieve enlightenment. Siddhartha wants to separate from the Self, he wants to find inner peace, to be empty... empty of thirst, of desire, of dreams, of joy, of sadness. When the totality of the Self is dominated and dead, when all vices and inclinations disappear, then the deepest part of the being will awaken, that which is no longer the Self, the great secret.
This is how Siddhartha asks his father to leave home on a journey to discover how to attain enlightenment. He will remain rigid and firm in the same place where he asked his father the question, without eating or drinking, without sleeping, until the father gives him the yes.
This is how Siddhartha will meet different people who will teach him many different things. Siddhartha is a person who uses what he learns and gives back to everyone who helps him. But for many years Siddhartha will wander far from the goal with which he started, he will be lost in wealth and luxury. He will have to drop everything once again to find himself again.
Loved this book! It was a very pleasant read. I found the writing very beautiful, full of reflections and opportunities to draw parallels with our own lives. I loved the conversations between characters, full of metaphors and implied messages. We can take this journey together with the character and question what we would have done if we were Siddhartha and reflect on the choices we make in our daily lives.
More than recommended! It's a very fluid read that won't take long to complete.
Siddhartha is thus a young boy, the son of a Brahmin, who lives a life of privilege and comfort. He is a very intelligent and very promising young man, devoting himself to learning the teachings of his father and other Brahmins. But Siddhartha is not satisfied. One of his goals is to achieve enlightenment. Siddhartha wants to separate from the Self, he wants to find inner peace, to be empty... empty of thirst, of desire, of dreams, of joy, of sadness. When the totality of the Self is dominated and dead, when all vices and inclinations disappear, then the deepest part of the being will awaken, that which is no longer the Self, the great secret.
This is how Siddhartha asks his father to leave home on a journey to discover how to attain enlightenment. He will remain rigid and firm in the same place where he asked his father the question, without eating or drinking, without sleeping, until the father gives him the yes.
This is how Siddhartha will meet different people who will teach him many different things. Siddhartha is a person who uses what he learns and gives back to everyone who helps him. But for many years Siddhartha will wander far from the goal with which he started, he will be lost in wealth and luxury. He will have to drop everything once again to find himself again.
Loved this book! It was a very pleasant read. I found the writing very beautiful, full of reflections and opportunities to draw parallels with our own lives. I loved the conversations between characters, full of metaphors and implied messages. We can take this journey together with the character and question what we would have done if we were Siddhartha and reflect on the choices we make in our daily lives.
More than recommended! It's a very fluid read that won't take long to complete.
koblix's review
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
aleber's review against another edition
3.0
Originally I read this book for school and while I did not understand it at the time, it did advise a lot of my perception of Buddhism.
Upon reading it as an adult, I enjoyed it much more. It will be one I return to and ponder.
Upon reading it as an adult, I enjoyed it much more. It will be one I return to and ponder.
waldr's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
iteechesinglish's review against another edition
3.0
A short read about a spiritual quest for enlightenment. I found it interesting but it wasn't deeply moving for me.