Siddhartha

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Summary: A Jewish view of Siddartha
Review: This is a beautiful novel. The story of a spiritual quest in which the young privileged hero goes out to the world , and tries to meet and know every different kind of experience. He goes through different stages of life , including one in which he tastes the sensual pleasures of life to the full. He meets old age, sickness and death. He comes to a kind of humble understanding of the nature of life and his spiritual quest is one in which he comes to a kind of peace.
The story is told with simplicity and skill, and it flows wonderfully.
My own problem with the book is that the wretch ' concentred all in self' . There is no deeper understanding of how the ordinary connections of family and community , and the giving to them provide life with meaning and dimension beyond the self. There is too no feeling that one can by one's own effort add to the goodness of the world, make a change for the better however small.
This is not to deny the truth of Siddartha's quest or understanding, but only to indicate that it is one road and not the only road or in my opinion the ideal road the person can take in this life.

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Summary: Mmmmm....mind food
Review: This novel by Hermann Hesse is great. I borrowed from a friend and was sucked in by its philosophical discussion. The story follow Siddhartha, an Indian in search of enlightenment. He tries a few routes, lives life as a wealthy merchant, loses hope, and... well, you can find out. It is short, not many big events, but the dialogue more than makes up for it. Anyone who enjoys novels carried by philosophical dialogue/monlogue will love this.

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Summary: For those who have once stopped to think about life
Review: Why are we are?. What is happiness?. What's love? These classical philosophical questions are addressed in this novel that leaves you thinking.
The story takes place in India, where a man, Siddhartha, tries to experience everything during his life in order to be able to answer these vital questions.
This book deserves to be read more than once so you can grasp the deep thoughts that Herman Hesse tries to transmit.