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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is for people who love The Alchemist. I think Siddharta is slightly better - mostly because the characters aren't the equivalent of stick figures, but still, I don't understand the hype.
The philosophy that this book is trying to preach is just lost upon me. It also feels wordy to the point of exhaustion despite being a short book of around 130 pages. Siddharta tells the story of a man searching for enlightenment throughout his life; the restlessness for knowledge he has a young boy, the various vices that he take partakes in his mid life and finally the enlightenment that he finally receives by observing and listening to the voices of a river. Now, the main premise does contain that certain mysticism that promises to offer some life changing view on the world. However, as I have mentioned before, this book is just too damn wordy for its own good. In fact, I am going to make this the central premise of my criticism.
First off, let's talk about the complex feelings seem to have for each other in this book. For instance, lets go through the thoughts of Siddharta's friend, Govinda: "This Siddharta is a bizarre person, he expresses bizarre thoughts, his teachings sound foolish. So differently sound the exalted one's pure teachings, clearer, purer, more comprehensible, nothing strange, foolish or silly is contained in them." Never in my life have I been in such bliss to see so many similar words being used together in the same line to drive home a message. In fact, it is nice to know there are much bigger and better expressions lying around in plenty within the book.
Coming back to a more serious tone, I sincerely the believe the messages that the book tries to imparts could have been done in a much shorter and more meaningful manner. There was this monologue on time that was around two pages long which took me forever to go through. I remember Kung Fu Panda delivering a similar message in a shorter manner.
Words do not express thoughts very well. They always become a little different immediately after they are expressed, a little distorted, a little foolish. And yet it also pleases me and seems right that what is of value and wisdom to one man seems nonsense to another.
Finally, I come to a close with a line from the book which I guess summarizes what went wrong for me. I can at least merit the writer for trying to impart some good philosophies/teaching (hence my two star rating). Unfortunately, in my opinion, his grand ambition in simplifying things to the tiniest molecule makes the book fall way short off the mark.
First off, let's talk about the complex feelings seem to have for each other in this book. For instance, lets go through the thoughts of Siddharta's friend, Govinda: "This Siddharta is a bizarre person, he expresses bizarre thoughts, his teachings sound foolish. So differently sound the exalted one's pure teachings, clearer, purer, more comprehensible, nothing strange, foolish or silly is contained in them." Never in my life have I been in such bliss to see so many similar words being used together in the same line to drive home a message. In fact, it is nice to know there are much bigger and better expressions lying around in plenty within the book.
Coming back to a more serious tone, I sincerely the believe the messages that the book tries to imparts could have been done in a much shorter and more meaningful manner. There was this monologue on time that was around two pages long which took me forever to go through. I remember Kung Fu Panda delivering a similar message in a shorter manner.
Words do not express thoughts very well. They always become a little different immediately after they are expressed, a little distorted, a little foolish. And yet it also pleases me and seems right that what is of value and wisdom to one man seems nonsense to another.
Finally, I come to a close with a line from the book which I guess summarizes what went wrong for me. I can at least merit the writer for trying to impart some good philosophies/teaching (hence my two star rating). Unfortunately, in my opinion, his grand ambition in simplifying things to the tiniest molecule makes the book fall way short off the mark.
It seemed like the whole book was just a lead up to the last chapter. This has a somewhat interesting story, and interesting eastern teachings, but it takes too long to get to the meat. Maybe that's just the busy westerner in me....
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
reflective
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective