Name: Siddhartha
Price: 30.59 NZD
Availability: InStock
Author: Hermann Hesse
ISBN: 9781940177748

Type

Physical Book

Author

Hermann Hesse

Publisher

Blackrock Classics

Language

English

Pages

130

Format

Paperback

Dimensions

22.9 x 15.2 x 0.8 cm

Weight

0.20 kg.

ISBN13

9781940177748

Synopsis "Siddhartha "

Siddhartha is a novel by Hermann Hesse that deals with the spiritual journey of an Indian man named Siddhartha during the time of the Buddha. The book, Hesse's ninth novel (1922), was written in German, in a simple, powerful, and lyrical style. It was published in the U.S. in 1951 and became influential during the 1960s. Hesse dedicated Siddhartha to Romain Rolland and Wilhelm Gundert. The story begins by painting a picture of Siddhartha as a perfect son: smart, athletic, obedient, and handsome. However, he eventually sees the limitations of the Brahmin life, and leaves his home to join the ascetics with his companion Govinda. The two set out in search of enlightenment. After seeing the limitation of asceticism, the two journey to meet the Buddha. Govinda is immediately impressed and takes refuge in the Buddha. Siddhartha respects the Buddha's enlightenment, but realizes that no teaching, not even the Buddha's, can capture enlightenment. The second half of the book starts with Siddhartha impressing a beautiful, wealthy courtesan. She sets him up with a job so that he can afford the beautiful things that will impress her. Initially seeing this as a game for children, he eventually finds himself caught up in the trading, drinking, and gambling of a merchant life. He leaves again for the forest. After settling into a nice life sharing ferryman duties with a wise friend, Siddhartha finds out he fathered a son. He attempts to raise the boy in this simple life, but the boy gets frustrated and returns to the city. Siddhartha finally feels the sorrow of love, which leads to a deep compassion for all of his fellow humans.

Hermann Hesse

(Author)

View Author's Page

Herman Hesse was born in 1877 in Calw. He followed professions as diverse as a clergyman and a mechanic, but with the publication of his first novel, Peter Camenzind (1904), he managed to establish himself as a writer. His literary work placed him among the most important authors of the 20th century. His most notable titles are: Demian (1919), Siddhartha (1922), Steppenwolf (1927), and The Glass Bead Game (1943). Among many other distinctions, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1946. He died in 1962, at the age of 85 in Montagnola.

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