About the Book

Herman Hesse's classic novel has delighted, inspired, and influenced generations of readers, writers, and thinkers. This is the story of a wealthy Indian Brahmin, Siddhartha who casts-off a life of privilege to seek spiritual fulfillment.
This book chronicles the spiritual evolution of a man living in India at the time of the Buddha--a tale that has inspired generations of readers. We are invited along on Siddhartha's journey experiencing his highs, lows, loves, and disappointments. He sets out on his journey, not realizing that he is fulfilling the prophecies proclaimed at his birth. Siddhartha blends in with the world, showing the reader the beauty and intricacies of the mind, nature, and his experiences on the path to enlightenment. His eventual attainment of Nirvana does not come from someone imparting the wisdom to him but instead through an internal connection to the river, which he finds contains the entire universe.
Hesse synthesizes disparate philosophies --Eastern religions, Jungian archetypes, Western individualism--into a unique vision of life as expressed through one man's search for true meaning.