Siddhartha
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4.0 • 4 Ratings
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
Nobel Prize winner Hermann Hesse's most lauded book: The enchanting story of one man's journey in search of enlightenment
Born into the privileged life of a Brahmin, young Siddhartha came of age surrounded by the teachings of the Buddha. But despite his earnest pursuit of enlightenment, Siddhartha is left unfulfilled. Determined to find his own path to the nirvana, Siddhartha leaves home to embark on a spiritual voyage, spurning the comforts of his caste and leaving behind all loved ones save for his best friend, Govinda. Homeless, without food, and dedicated to their austere lifestyle, the friends diverge along two separate paths. Govinda grows ever more dedicated to Buddhist teachings while Siddhartha travels a more meandering road—through asceticism, into an embrace of the joys of the flesh, and finally to an understanding of the nature of time, truth, and the ultimate path to self-realization.
First published in Germany in 1922, Siddhartha grew in popularity through the 1960s, when it became a touchstone of the American counterculture movement. The book endures today as a stirring and lyrical exploration of self-discovery.
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APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
A small story about big ideas, this graceful and earnest parable from German-born author Hermann Hesse follows one man’s eternal quest for meaning. Raised in ancient India, young Siddhartha leaves home in search of enlightenment. After trying out life as a meditative beggar wandering through the forest, he heads to a city, where he falls in love with a beautiful woman and gets rich. When neither path brings him peace, Siddhartha realizes the answer to fulfillment lies in balance. Siddhartha is a timeless tale that’s just perfect for social-media breaks, contemplative nights in, or a long weekend away.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Actor Ansdell guides listeners in his firm and gentle voice through Hesse's lyrical prose depicting the self-discovery journey of his protagonist, Siddhartha. Ansdell's pacing and English accent give his reading for the audiobook an air of philosopher's wisdom. Ansdell is especially good at pauses and inflections that express Siddhartha's moods of exaltation and utter despair at various points in his life as a young Brahman, an ascetic, a lover, businessman, and then as a father and elderly recluse who sits by the river and finally experiences the peace and tranquility he has always sought. Published in German in 1922 and in English in 1951, the revival of Hesse's novel in this era of widespread interest in Eastern religions offers Ansdell a vehicle for his diverse narrative talents.
