Sidhartha - a book review

In the classic novel Sidhartha, Hermann Hesse, explores the real meaning of life through the journey of Sidhartha, an upper caste Hindu living in the times of Budha. By the way, Hermann Hesse is a Nobel laureate. 

The author has chosen the name and time aptly because these allow the author to critique the teachings of Budha as well as his Brahmanical roots from the point of view of one who is not satisfied with answers given by others - the way Budha himself sought to explore the truth. 

Cover: Sidhartha 1st ed in German

The boy Sidhartha, the heir to a Brahman (upper caste) lineage and assured of all comforts, riches and fame in life, leaves home in search of answers to his questions about life. He puts himself to all types of penance and even manages to meet Budha. He swings between total renunciation and falling to lust, and finally finds solace in the river that he had crossed first in his journey. 

Though the book is written in a lucid style, and the story flows well, it is is not for quick reading. The confusion and spiritual/ philosophical conflicts that arise in the mind of Sidhartha make you pause and ponder, more so after the first few pages. So, if you want to read the story of a vagabond youth of ancient times in India like a racy novel, the book is not for you.

Sidhartha was originally written in German. This is a rather small book (about 130 pages). It has been published by numerous publishers and also self-published. In many editions, there are reported to be numerous formatting and proof errors. So, choose an edition from a reputed publisher. 

The book gets ⭐⭐⭐⭐out of 5.