| REVIEWER | RATING & REVIEW |
 | FREDDYCLASSIC (0)
08/10/2005 | VERY UNDERRATED WRITER AND BOOK. I HAD NEVER HEARD OF HIM OR IT UNTIL A FEW MONTHS AGO. WHAT A BEAUTIFULLY TOLD STORY. THE MOOD SET RIGHT AWAY, A TALE OF LIFE'S LESSONS TOLD BELIEVABLY, NOT PREACHY, AND JUST AN ARTIST'S STROKE.
(0 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | Habanerobuck (0)
06/06/2004 | Short, simple, and forgetful. Not particularly profound or useful, I found. At least you don't have to devote a great amount of time toward deciding the merits of this book. It is only about 130 pages.
(0 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | rachel_elizabeth (0)
05/16/2004 | I thought this book was really over rated. I live in buddhist/hindu country and mr. hesse really did not get the idea at all. The writing is simple and yet it feels like Herman is trying to hard, which really defeats the moral of the novel. This book was only popular with hippies in the 70's, and i have no idea why any one would read it today. no... i take that back. read i, and find out for yourself exactly how boring and prosiac this book really is.
(1 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | irishgit (146)
12/16/2003 | Every time I read Hesse I feel like I'm being lectured. I have better things to do.
(2 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | Moosekarloff (18)
12/15/2003 | This is one of the more notable entries in the literary canon that crunchy granola touchy feely types in the 1960s and early 1970s drooled over. I re-read this not long ago and was somewhat amused at how puerile and naive, poorly written and shallow this supposed great philosophical novel is. This is nothing more than a ripoff of Candide and not nearly as well told, engaging or entertaining. A faux spiritual piece written in a most hokey and prosaic style. Hesse is one of the most overrated novelists in western literature who was a fad for a brief period during the days of the counterculture, but was eventually assigned to the scrapheap of triviality and insignificance shortly afterward, and rightfully so.
(3 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| crowbar (0)
12/09/2002 | Such a cool book.
(0 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| Shukhevych (1)
12/07/2002 | He has the idea that you must try every single thing in life to know if it's good or not. Obviously Hesse is not familiar with Otto von Bismarck's words: "Fools learn from their mistake- I'd rather learn from other people's mistakes."
(2 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | Aeneisse (0)
05/26/2001 | I've just read it in German.. it's beyond words really.
(0 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | Shroomwoman (12)
05/07/2001 | It's unusual to come across a book that draws you in so quickly and delivers a powerful punch without feeling heavy-handed. Hesse is a master here at posing philosophical questions in the context of an interesting story. In some ways, "Siddhartha" reminded me of an adult version of "The Velveteen Rabbit." If you're in the mood for a "meaning of life" book, and you enjoy good storytelling, you'll appreciate "Siddhartha."
(2 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | magellan (161)
04/12/2001 | An amazing little book that is written with the simplicity of Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist," but carries with it the depth of "Paradise Lost". Hesse is able to integrate a number of profound, thought provoking themes into the story of a young monk / businessman / ferryman who is on a quest for meaning. Whether it be learning through experience, seeing life as a complete cycle, or identifying what is truly important - Siddhartha has something for everyone. For me, the test of greatness of any book is whether it A) makes you want to read more by the same author, B) makes you want to read more about the theme, and c) inspires you to think or act differently. Siddhartha passed all three of these tests with flying colors, and I look forward to reading "Narcissus and Goldmund" (based on Wiggum's suggestion).
(3 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| joelle (0)
01/15/2001 | Fascinating book, read it twice. Brings you right into that river mood: calm, floating, clear water. What an oasis in this hectic world. The sense of life- right in this book.
(0 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| Faceless Avenger (0)
01/15/2001 | This is a philosophy book disguised as a story about a young monk. Everybody should read this book because not only is it easy to read and pretty short, but it will really make you think. Even if you don't normally like to think, this book will make you, and you will enjoy it.
(4 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | Kiwi S.C. (0)
01/15/2001 | Herman Hesse made a wonderful book about religion and a quality life. The title of the book lends a different prediction than the actual outcome. This book is good for people interested in Eastern thought.
(0 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | M'Ress (0)
01/12/2001 | You gotta give props to a book that can hold your interest without an effective antagonist.
(0 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| Megalicious (0)
01/11/2001 | I love this book. It's totally spiritual and made me reflect on my own journey. It is beautifully written. I go back to it often to get inspired, and it reminds me to spend more time in nature. Probably my number one favorite book.
(1 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| Kal-el (0)
01/11/2001 | This book changed my life; it is that powerful. Using the story of the life of Buddha, Hesse creates a metaphor for the unviersal struggle for meaning in one's life. Siddhartha is beautifully written and a truly enlightening experience to read.
(1 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | Pookie (0)
01/09/2001 | Hesse is considered to be one of the greatest European authors of all time for a reason. Siddhartha is an explanation of spirituality that is timeless. It is easily read and manageable for most readers. Siddhartha is a book in which one might look for spiritual meaning and guidence, the pleasure of the narrative itself makes it attractive to anyone.
(3 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| Calvin680 (0)
01/08/2001 | This book helped inspire me to seek out my own hapiness. Praises logic, self-sacrifice, and the willingness to follow ones own goals and desires. I enjoy reading historical fiction, and the parallels between Siddhartha in the book and the real Siddhartha Guatama(the Buddha) are interesting. This book tells the reader to be responsible for their own destiny and hapiness-an inspiring message.
(3 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | Free State (0)
12/18/2000 | Siddhartha is a wonderfully developed tale of good faith versus bad vices. The main character rids himself of his initial view of being a good person and succumbs to sins like greed, from which he gains a better sense of peace and morality. This novel is a good agrument for anyone to try to understand himself and find peace.
(3 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| Sumrtime (0)
12/14/2000 | Siddhartha is excellent spiritual reading. If you are discouraged (it starts a little slow) hang in. The pay off is big. I greatly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone.
(0 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| Rhymuse (0)
12/04/2000 | My father says Hermann Hesse's twisted mind twisted up his own, expressing great concern for a high school teacher who would require it as reading. I, however, found the opposite effect-an unraveling of sorts, an undoing of. The corset laces strapped about my ideals, my beliefs, my philosophies, plural. Not that I have reached any concrete conclusions since but maybe that was the point. A mind like a river, flowing, undamned. Read it, for the history. Read it for the understanding of the revolution of a great philosopher. Read it for the possibility of unraveling the binds about the philosopher in your own mind.
(5 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| confusable (0)
11/27/2000 | Possibly the best book I've ever read. It is written in a simple prose which makes it easy to miss underlying themes. This book really helps you to see yourself better.
(0 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| Tarik (0)
11/24/2000 | If man would listen to the river society would perform a little better and be more humane. Hesse called the human race to responsibility with Siddhartha.
(0 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| ChiefBooHoo (0)
11/21/2000 | Truly a religious experience. The language is more simple and straightforward than that of the Holy Bible. The ideas and experiences proposed are as profound as discussing philosophy with God. If you have not yet read this book, do it soon. Very soon.
(1 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| Lusipher (0)
11/16/2000 | This is probably the best book of all time. I found this book enjoyable and thought provoking at the same time, a combination that is rarely found in classical literature. A definite must for everyone.
(1 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| ctheullman (0)
11/15/2000 | Hesse's most read book, but actually Demian is his most accessible. Great for Jews who have a thing against Germans and think they're justified.
(0 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| odysseus (0)
11/06/2000 | Read it in high school. A well-written classic that speaks to the soul, the part of everyone who wants to grow, the sublime.
(0 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| sorry123 (0)
11/02/2000 | This book changed my life. I learned about the path I chose to take. I found meaning in the simple story.
(0 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| bustinout (0)
10/25/2000 | I liked the mood of Siddhartha, but the story really helped me get a good night's sleep. ZZZZZ.
(1 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| puck (0)
10/24/2000 | I love the loneliness and helplessness that it portrays with honesty. It draws a great sketch of an adventurous human being. I love the climax.
(0 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| scott (0)
10/13/2000 | This book helped make me a better person.
(0 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| mauigirl (0)
10/04/2000 | Hesse is an amazing author. I first tried to read Steppenwolff and thought it was horrible, but then I read Siddhartha and my faith in Hesse was renewed. It teaches about Buddhism and you learn about yourself.
(3 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | arosenfeld (0)
10/04/2000 | Very well written approach to eastern philosophy and religion by a westerner. Caused me to take a keen interest in Buddhism at an early age.
(2 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | Wiggum (16)
09/11/2000 | Word for word, one of the most powerful books of the 20th century. This thing is tiny, but the impact is huge. Hesse was ahead of his time. 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.
(6 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| Rcoh5560du (0)
03/31/2000 | My favorite novel of all time. If you are interested in Buddhism at all and enjoy a phenomenal story about the founder of Buddhism, then this is a must read. It is a quick read and the development of Siddhartha throughout the novel and the conclusion gives me chills right now.
(1 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
| 1-35 OF 35 | View All |
