First published 2021
In a dazzling feat of historical fiction, Jairam Ramesh brings the life of the Buddha to vivid life. As a young prince, Siddhartha Gautama must grapple with the realities of sickness, aging, and death that lurk beyond the palace walls. When he ventures out and encounters human suffering, he's compelled to renounce his privileged existence and seek enlightenment. Ramesh's cinematic prose transports readers to ancient India, where Siddhartha's spiritual journey unfolds against a backdrop of political intrigue and social upheaval.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, 21st-century, 19th-century, india, ancient
Vibes: atmospheric, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, spiritual-awakening
Setting: India
Period: Ancient
448 pages · Hardcover · Penguin Viking