A review by ste3ve_b1rd
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

5.0

I love this book and am so happy to have belatedly discovered this author. It is written in simple language, in a form resembling a parable, and contains profound implications regarding both the tragic and transcendent nature of life. In a text that is moving, philosophical and spiritual, Hesse has distilled his perception of aspects of Eastern thought into a wholly accessible work. Siddhartha's struggle to let go of the Self, to move beyond it, is a key through line in this story. In his various states of rich and poor and in-between, Siddhartha's senses are awakened, only to be deadened again, at which time he resumes his search, in an effort to discover the root of his dissatisfaction in his various realms of experience, whether material or non-material. He suffers, he is gluttonous, he is ascetic, he is lustful (at least, in the context of a monogamous relationship) and decadent. However, in all of those states Siddhartha observes his life with detachment. He moves on from, and lets go of, anyone who would interfere with his quest, and in doing so still has faith that any of the those who are truly important to him will return, or be returned, to him. All of Siddhartha's mentors/gurus from the different stages of his life have significance, but ultimately none of them have importance. Because all men are part of an overarching unity that includes bad and good, saint and sinner, and all the other complements that exist in life. And within those contradictions lies the key to fully understanding this story. I can actually say I learned something from this book, that being: "Be careful about judging others, because all those others are in you". This is a great book with which to start off the New Year! I am looking forward to reading more of Hesse's work.