Reading Hesse is like being lectured to. I'd rather read someone else.

One of the Classic Authors well worth reading.Hesses skill and vision speak volumes in relatively short novels.

My favorite all time author, I've read almost everything he has ever written, including some out of print books ( Knulp, Stories of Five Decades, Autobiographical writings). I've also read many of his books a couple of times. I can't say which is my favorite because I loved them all. I can't even explain why I like his books so much except that they seem to speak to me on a personal level, sounds crazy I know but it's true.

I first read Siddhartha when I was in junior high school, and while I enjoyed it then, I don't think I fully appreciated it until I read it again a year or two after college. At that point I launched into a Hesse binge, reading "Narcissus and Goldmund," "Demian," "Steppenwolf," and "Peter Camenzid." As a fan of Carl Jung and as someone interested in Eastern religions, I'm a sucker for the "search for meaning" themes and archetypes that drive Hesse's novels. His style is marked by a deceptive simplicity that lets people appreciate his work on multiple levels. If you've only been exposed to "Siddhartha," I highly recommend that you read "Narcissus and Goldmund." It's the story of two friends who take a fundamentally different approach to life and have radically different experiences, but remain united by a unique bond.

I love Hesse, and love Siddartha, and love El lobo estepario, y todo lo que tenga que ver con este gran escritor. Sorry. If I can write English, you can read Spanish. Come on, boys, and learn!!

Though I don't know if Hermann Hesse is a buddhist or not, he certaintly has greater understanding of Buddhism than lots of "professional" Buddhists, because he seems to understand life better.

great writer with very poor readers usually