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Siddhartha Audiobook
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(3.00) - 175,697 listener ratings
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The title of this novel is a combination of two Sanskrit words, “siddha,” which is defined as “achieved,” and “artha” which is defined as “meaning” or “wealth.” The word serves as the name for the principal character, a man on a spiritual journey of self-discovery during the time of the first Buddha. Siddhartha is the son of a wealthy Brahmin family who decides to leave his home in the hopes of gaining spiritual illumination. Siddhartha is joined by his best friend Govinda. The two renounce their earthly possessions, engage in ritual fasting and intense meditation and ultimately seek out and speak with Gautama, the original Buddha. Here the two go their separate ways, Govinda joining the order of the Buddha, Siddhartha traveling on in search of spiritual enlightenment. In order to complete this novel Hesse immersed himself in the sacred teachings of both Hindu and Buddhist scriptures and lived a semi-reclusive life in order to achieve his own spiritual enlightenment. Considered one of Hesse’s most important works, Siddhartha remains to this day as one of his most popular. It is a work that deals with the quest that we all undertake in some way or another, to define our lives in an environment of conflicting dualities and ultimately find spiritual awareness.
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"While the writing in the book is not stellar (a bit choppy and lacking eloquence at points), the presentation of ideas from the Eastern philosophical perspective (mainly Buddhism) is informative and satisfying. I particularly enjoyed the idea that wisdom must be learned but cannot be taught as well as the focus on compassion, sympathy, love (maybe), and relieving suffering. Enlightenment is as transient as many other conditions in life and can be found in different approaches. A notable realization by the protagonist Siddhartha is that time does not exist - everything was, is, and will be. A stone is a stone, but it is also dirt, a tree, a human, even a god and should be appreciated as such. I would probably give it 4.5/5 for the less than perfect flow, but I'll round up to 5 since I really enjoyed the read."
— James (5 out of 5 stars)
Siddhartha Listener Reviews
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" For years my favorite book, this Nobel winning author has weaved an intriguing tale of a young man in India and his childhood friend going two ways in winning their own spirituality. Through Sadhus, philosophers, boatmen, women, riches, and friendship he finds his way after years of searching. Look for a cameo by the venerable Buddha and the hero's dispassioned adventures in this Ben Hur parallel of Buddhism. "
— Timothy, 2/10/2014 -
" I really didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. But it's pretty great. I just don't see myself ever re-reading the book, because I am almost entirely certain I won't like it quite as much the next time: it's surprising and moving and small, which are some of things, according to me, that make it work so well. But that's just me... "
— Priya, 1/27/2014 -
" kindle. okay book, but if the ending of sansara is the ultimate point for living things I will not experience it in this life time and as such this just speaks truth to people who are nearly there while leaving others behind which is a shame but understandably that is how things are. "
— Lasse, 1/22/2014 -
" Spiritual journey of a man. "
— BLACK, 1/22/2014 -
" What a wonderful book. The writing style was simple, yet so profound. This is definitely one book that I will read again and again. "
— Walter, 1/21/2014 -
" Man's search for meaning, in a well written and descriptive metaphor. "
— Joe, 1/19/2014 -
" I enjoyed this book because it was an easy read. The changes Siddhartha goes through and to see the world in his view was interesting to read as well. "
— Adiam, 1/16/2014 -
" Ive read this book a couple of time already and will probably read a few more times in my lifetime. Its a must for every library. My copy has travelled all of the world with me. "
— Jessica, 1/10/2014 -
" Sisters of the Desert Sun had a wonderful discussion on Siddhartha which has been ranked as a 'life changing' must read by several members. "
— Sisters, 12/27/2013 -
" Gave me a throbbing headache. I was so annoyed by Hesse's original German prose that I had to resort to the English translation. I still need to read the German version for exam, though. Not impressed. I'd say this is quite all over the place. Tried to be profound but failed. "
— Best, 12/22/2013 -
" This was one of the only books I remember from High School. This book is a book I HIGHLY recommend. I love this book. Was very well written and I learned a lot of life lessons from it. "
— Janet, 12/16/2013 -
" Finished in one day. One of the best books I've read. "
— Riya, 12/13/2013 -
" I never felt or thought the same once I finished reading this novel as a younger man hungry with questions. I really need to read Steppenwolf soon. "
— Ma, 12/7/2013 -
" I read this book forty years ago and it's still one of my favorite books of all time. "
— Sylvia, 11/25/2013 -
" Easy little read. Nice book. "
— Jonalyn, 11/22/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this book. It was very educating, short, but lovely. "
— Veronica, 11/5/2013 -
" I had to read this for school. I didn't get much enjoyment out of it but I didn't hate it as much as I hated reading Lord of the Flies. "
— Tamara, 9/24/2013 -
" A wonderful adventure story to introduce the Buddha. "
— Philén, 5/30/2013 -
" I read this every few years. "
— Laurence, 5/4/2013 -
" I thought the book is about Buddha and so wanted to learn his principles but it is a story of another guy who is born in the same era and his experience while he searches for enlightenment.I found the book to be an average read. "
— Anne, 4/11/2013 -
" Great book about finding enlightenment, and how a spiritual journey has to be different for everyone. "
— Benjamin, 9/3/2012 -
" It is a travel book trough life. Written by German author who was inspired by buddhist philosophy. One of those books that you have to read it once in a while. "
— Jasmina, 7/18/2012 -
" A must read, this book changed my life and opened my 16 year old eyes to the bigger picture "
— Eileen, 7/11/2012 -
" Bah. Overstated and highly sentimental. No wonder Paulo Coelho likes him so much, and I now know where he obtained his dreadful style from. "
— Biskin, 5/4/2012