First published 2008
Siddhartha possesses everything a young Brahmin could want: intelligence, beauty, and his family's love. Yet he feels empty following the path laid out for him. He leaves home to find a higher truth, wandering through a world of extremes. Wealth and luxury surround him for a time. Sensual love consumes him. Deadly serpents threaten his life. His search leads him finally to a river, where he meets a ferryman who will change everything. This guide shows him toward his true destiny and the meaning he has sought. Hesse draws from Indian philosophy to craft this tale of spiritual awakening. The simple, elegant prose carries Siddhartha through his transformative journey from restless youth to enlightened understanding.
Genres: fiction, classics, historical-fiction, 20th-century, buddhism, asian-american
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, spiritual-journey
Setting: India
Period: 20th-century
121 pages · Paperback · Penguin Books