Rating: 
Summary: This is a very interesting book
Review: I think that this book is a good introduction to the religion of Buddhism for those who don't know much about it. It is very philosphical, and makes the reader think about his or her own life and beliefs. I recommend this book to everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Great experience
Review: Reading this book was a great experience, one that I think everyone should have. It says a lot about life, and Hesse's metaphores are beautiful and easy to understand. One should try to read it not as a simple story, but as YOUR story, I cannot think of anyone who does not identify him/herself with Siddharta, at least in one or two ways.
Rating:
Summary: A great book...for those who find a personal truth
Review: The message of Siddhartha is a personal one. As such, it can't be forced on someone as "required reading". Readers will either find Siddhartha inspirational because of an inherent truth they recognize relative to their own conduct in life, or boring because they find nothing personally relevant below the surface of the simple narrative. Siddhartha is wonderfully concise...if you hate it, its over quickly, and it doesn't require too much investment to revisit years later when your relationship to the story may be profoundly different.
Rating:
Summary: Not for the stupid and uneducated
Review: Siddhartha is by far the best book I have ever read. It gives the story of one man's journey for truth in his life. I highly reccommend this book to anyone who is searching and open to new ideas. I do not suggest making this book your the map to your future life however. Siddhartha is not a good book to read for fun or recreation. It is thought provoking in content and beautifully poetic in structure. To understand it on a higher level, though, some knowledge of eastern culture is required. The stages Siddhartha goes through and the beliefs he comes to are not geared toward western ways of thinking. Hesse did not write this book attempting to convert the story so that Siddhartha is a great American hero. If you have studied eastern culture, or know some about it, then this book will truly inspire you to search out new things. If your favorite book however, is something by John Grisham or Danielle Steele, then don't waste your time.
Rating:
Summary: A book that anyone can relate to.
Review: This book is truly the most thought provoking book I have ever read. It explores a man's quest for the meaning of life. This is not a book based on Buddhism. It is more philosophical. Hesse describes the different paths that Siddhartha chooses in his life to finally reach enlightenment(meaning of life). Not everyone may agree with it but I think that all of us can relate to his journey in some way. I have read it a few times and each time, I take away something different. When I read it, I see myself in Siddhatha going through similar trials and tribulations. Many people that read it said that it impacted them in some way. I highly recommended it.
Rating: 
Summary: For those who cannot face reality
Review: What do people see in this? This book was without a doubt the worst thing I have ever read. First for the technical reasons: It was dull, unimaginative, undescriptive, empty, and lackluster. The imagery and feeling were none existent; I might as well have been watching the paint dry. The characters were shallow and cardboard. Siddhartha is boring, aimless and evokes no sympathy or interest, he is completely clueless and flat. His friend Govinda is even more predictable and bland; he is the typical sidekick, the dog on the leash, and the woman Kamala in the story is the stereotypical sex toy and nothing else, except for a pitiful excuse. But really, the book is only 152 pages and how much thought can really be put into it? I read it in less than two hours; because there is nothing to it; it is merely the rehashing and repetition of mindless cryptic gibberish. People say there is meaning in this story but they are completely wrong; I have tried to analyze this story and have found there is nothing to analyze. Now for the other issues. This book glorifies and condones rebellion, restlessness, sex, and other worthless pursuits for the sake of "experience" and "enlightenment". This is a poor book to look to for guidance in any aspect. It give no answers, only philosophies that sound deep. The only thing this book was good for was making me lose my lunch. It is better than sticking your finger down your throat. If you want to look for advice on finding spirituality, wisdom, peace and enlightenment there are better places; and this book frankly teaches nothing about Buddhism either, Hesse only throws around foreign words with no explanation or context. It truly is a pity that zero stars is not a rating option because this book honestly deserves it.
Rating:
Summary: Embodies the essence of philosophy in a hundred pages.
Review: Philosophy negates itself simply by being verbose. If a book cannot say what it has to in a few dozen pages or less, its philosophy is worthless.Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha says all it has to and and a lot more in a simple, earthly story. A story most of us should have little problem identifying with. That is the chord it strikes masterfully, and most importantly, briefly. One casual read can have you hooked; you could find new things everytime you read it. That is the essence of life itself.
Rating: 
Summary: not entirely fulfilling
Review: the story is easy to understand and somewhat inspiring. true, it does teach a lesson about our own personal journeys through life, but i still did not bond to the book. i could not become attached to the characters, i could not feel for them or along with them. and the characters did not interact with one another effectively. i recommend reading this book b/c it is something to have in mind while facing life, but i do not consider it as a great piece of literature. hesse's other novels seem to be a little more intriguing and i'm off to read steppenwolf. hopefully that will be a five star read.
Rating:
Summary: Almost thought-provoking, but not quite
Review: Siddhartha wanders through life in search of meaning and finally deludes himself into believing that he has found it. The writing isn't that great, maybe it lost something in the translation, and the plot leaves much to be desired, so all this novel has going for it is that it's profound. Almost. Throughout the novel, Siddhartha rejects just about every belief possible, until he decides that the only way to live is to be happy with everything. "Contentedness with everything is the key to life" is the only truth revealed in the entire novel, and it is a truth that I do not agree with. I suppose you have to give the guy some credit for punctuation and an honest effort, but I draw the line at two stars.
Rating:
Summary: The best book I have ever read!
Review: I have never read a book that was developed so perfectly. Unlike, the great philosophers, Hesse has the ability to use simple language to express ideas that unfold the meaning of life, and the struggles we have in our hearts and minds. You may be surprised at what Siddhartha determines is the most importnant thing in life. Everyone should be able to relate at some point to the various paths Siddhartha takes. This book can challenge and humble, yet it brings you to peace with yourself and the world around you. This book is quick to read and highly entertaining, but very though provoking. In my opinion, it is a must!
|
