Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
Translated by Hilda Rosner
It’s not often that a book ticks two boxes, but this re-read of a book I haven’t returned to for about 30 years manages to! Nobel prize winner Hermann Hesse was an author I read extensively in my younger years and I encountered his Knulp back in 2013. I was spurred on to return to “Siddhartha” by picking up a lovely Penguin Modern Classic on a swapping site (and Poppy has an interesting post about those here); so #NovellaNov and German Literature Month were the perfect prompts!
Hesse had a fascination with Indian and Buddhist philosophies, and in this book he draws on these to tell the story of Siddhartha; set in ancient India, the book tells of the young man’s odyssey through life, searching for spiritual enlightenment. Siddhartha is born of a good family but shuns the path set out for him and instead sets off on his own. Joined by his best friend Govinda, he initially joins the Samanas, a group of wandering ascetics who fast and beg for their living, renouncing all personal possessions.
He saw people living in a childish or animal-like way, which he both loved and despised. He saw them toiling, saw them suffer and grow grey about things that to him did not seem worth the price – for money, small pleasures and trivial honours. He saw them scold and hurt each other; he saw them lament over pains at which the Samana laughs, and suffer at deprivations which the Samana does not feel.
The travelling Samanas encounter Guatama, a great Buddha, and Govinda joins his order, but Siddhartha travels on. Crossing a river he experiences a transformation and moves on to take a new role, throwing himself into worldly, city life and spending time with the great courtesan Kamala. Becoming rich, this satisfies him for a while until he realises that this life is hollow. Returning to the river he considers self-destruction; but re-encountering the kind Ferryman who took him across initially, Siddhartha stays with him, embracing the simple spiritual life and listening to what the river has to tell him…
The world was beautiful when looked at in this way – without any seeking, so simple, so childlike. The moon and the stars were beautiful, the brook, the shore, the forest and rock, the goat and the golden beetle, the flower and butterfly were beautiful. It was beautiful and pleasant to go through the world like that, so childlike, so awakened, so concerned with the immediate, without any distrust.
Siddhartha’s tale of spiritual self-discovery is beautifully written and though it might not be obviously so, very relevant today. The sections where he’s living a life of luxury in the city, making money and becoming a man of stature, resonate with the modern world where gadgets and gizmos are all-consuming, but distract from moral worth and mental and philosophical exercise. Siddhartha tries all the extremes, from extreme poverty and extreme wealth until he finds a middle way, a simplicity that humans need but which is so often missing from their over-complicated existence.
Both of my recent readings of Hesse have revealed an author who cares about how we humans exist on this planet, and how we should spend our time during our short stay here. “Siddhartha” is an elegant discussion of the best way to live our lives and it’s made me really keen to revisit the rest of Hesse’s work.
heavenali
Nov 18, 2015 @ 07:51:43
I know I read a couple of Hermann Hesse books in my early twenties but can’t remember which they were. This really appeals. I like the sound of the spiritual aspect.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 18, 2015 @ 09:20:48
I read *lots* of Hesse in my 20s but alas can remember so little about them…. This was lovely, though – very thoughtful.
JacquiWine
Nov 18, 2015 @ 08:13:58
I enjoyed your review, Karen. It sounds quite different to most of the other German Literature I’ve read. Is Siddhartha fairly typical of Hesse’s work?
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 18, 2015 @ 09:20:13
I wouldn’t say it’s typical in its subject matter, no – although Hesse was always exploring the deeper things in life, and often in longer works. A better starter with him might be Steppenwolf or Demian (I think the latter was the first one I read).
winstonsdad
Nov 18, 2015 @ 08:35:26
I read one by him recently and was struck by how much he was interested in education and the world . I had hope to read his letters that he and Thomas mann had written to one another but the library edition i ordered was missing gutted was really excited about that one but hope by a copy one day
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 18, 2015 @ 09:18:58
Wow – sounds fascinating. Hope you track down a copy, Stu!
MarinaSofia
Nov 18, 2015 @ 11:15:49
This is the book that made us all turn Buddhist for a while in our 20s (helped by the fact we were all studying Chinese or Japanese as well). You are right: it is time to revisit some of his other books, I’ll plan to do that in 2016.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 18, 2015 @ 11:27:48
I sometimes get the feeling he’s a little neglected nowadays, which is a great shame – he definitely deserves to be read more.
Elle
Nov 18, 2015 @ 11:31:32
Heh–I’ve been avoiding Hesse for precisely the reason MarinaSofia mentions! (In my 20s and it just seems too bloody stereotypical…) I hear The Glass Bead Game is good, though, and Siddhartha is perhaps one of those things I ought to read for general cultural-literacy purposes.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 18, 2015 @ 11:36:28
🙂 It’s a while since I was in my 20s and reading them, but the ones that spring to mind as the best are “The Glass Bead Game”, “Narziss and Goldmund”, “Steppenwolf” and “Demian” – perhaps try the latter two first, as they’re shorter so less of a commitment if it turns out you don’t like him!
Elle
Nov 18, 2015 @ 11:51:23
Phew! (I always got Steppenwolf mixed up in my head with Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and now the name makes me think of a rugged, beardy biker!)
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 18, 2015 @ 13:18:42
🙂 I read Zen pre-blog – it was interesting, but heavy going!
colorpencil2014
Nov 18, 2015 @ 12:57:11
Hesse was mandatory when I was in Highschool…in my mind not appealing literature for a teenager! I never thought of him again until I read your review. Food for thought indeed! xo Johanna
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 18, 2015 @ 13:18:21
Gosh – quite heavy for high school – mind you, I did several Orwells and loved them so maybe we underestimate what teenagers are capable of understanding!
colorpencil2014
Nov 18, 2015 @ 13:23:12
you loved Orwell?? I was softly crying with boredom…but then again, my schoolmates kicked me for loving, truly loving Jane Austen and Bronte sisters. I guess even teenagers have a difference in taste and preferences ;o)
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 18, 2015 @ 13:32:58
Oh, I did! And I still do! In fact I really should re-read “Homage to Catalonia”…
Caroline
Nov 18, 2015 @ 13:51:12
I had a Hesse phase when I was a teenager and read many of his books. I loved them all but Narziss und Goldmund was my favourite. I too would love to re-visit him. Maybe we should organize a Hesse week? February or so. He’s still topical. I’m glad you liked it still. Sometimes whe we revisit an author it’s a disappointment.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 18, 2015 @ 14:13:08
What a wonderful idea! I think a Hesse week next year would be great – February on is fine! I’m always relieved when I find I still love an author – I figure it means my brain still works and I haven’t changed *too* much over the years!! 🙂
Caroline
Nov 18, 2015 @ 14:19:10
🙂 Does that mean you would co-host? That would be great.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 18, 2015 @ 14:21:34
I’d love to! 🙂
Caroline
Nov 18, 2015 @ 14:55:17
Wonderful!
lizzysiddal
Nov 18, 2015 @ 18:57:18
Did you know that this has been turned into an Italian opera? I saw it last year during the Edinburgh festival. In the opera, Siddhartha left not kne, but two pregnant ladies behind. Is that the case in the book? If so, I feel that undermines the integrity of any spiritual growth – particularly as he never returns to either to face up to his responsibilities.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 18, 2015 @ 19:43:18
Two??? No – *spoiler alert* – he has a son by the courtesan but she doesn’t tell him (I think) and he connects with his son later. Sounds bizarre…
ryokan1973
Jun 06, 2022 @ 16:19:26
*spoiler alert* In Siddhartha’s defence, he does try to do the best for his son, but it’s too late because the boy has become this irremediable spoilt brat.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jun 06, 2022 @ 16:20:47
😄😄
litlove
Nov 19, 2015 @ 19:31:37
I really loved this book. I read it as a 2nd year modern linguist and fell head over heels for it. There wasn’t much else I was given to read as calming and serene as this! I do so hope you chomped through him at breakfast… 😉
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 19, 2015 @ 21:10:35
🙂 This one is so slim I’d *finished* it before breakfast!
Lady Fancifull
Nov 19, 2015 @ 21:11:54
You and me both, Kaggsy, much reading of Hesse in younger days. I think he’s definitely going to be returned to in my reading before too long
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 19, 2015 @ 21:22:21
Well, if I do end up co-hosting a reading week, you must join in! 🙂
1streading
Nov 19, 2015 @ 21:59:45
It’s interesting how may comments are from people (exactly like myself) who read Hesse in their formative years (late teens, early twenties). I wonder if this is to do with age or if it’s generational (i.e. these are all people around the same age). I know when I read Hesse it seemed almost everything he’d written was in print in English – no longer the case.
Perhaps it is time to revisit – I’d be up for a Hesse week!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 20, 2015 @ 09:59:48
I did wonder if it was a generational thing and that Hesse was just *in* during that decade. I think he definitely needs more attention – yes, roll on Hesse Week! 🙂
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