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painofboredom's review against another edition
4.0
"He saw his father, lonely, mourning for his son; he saw himself, lonely, also with the bonds of longing for his faraway son; he saw his son, also lonely, the boy eagerly advancing along the burning path of life’s desires, each one concentrating on his goal, each one obsessed by his goal, each one suffering. The river’s voice was sorrowful. It sang with yearning and sadness, flowing towards its goal."
Hesse demonstrates appeal of dharmic philosophy while incorporating concerns and anxieties of modern times.
The almost fatalistic attitude of dharmic philosophy can help one understand, contend and cope with suffering of life itself.
To see past the illusion, to realise the absurdity of material and physical desires and bonds.
But most importantly from hesse not to reject it but instead to appreciates and love all of existence in whole.
By only understanding the totality of human experience will you attain Nirvana.
Hesse demonstrates appeal of dharmic philosophy while incorporating concerns and anxieties of modern times.
The almost fatalistic attitude of dharmic philosophy can help one understand, contend and cope with suffering of life itself.
To see past the illusion, to realise the absurdity of material and physical desires and bonds.
But most importantly from hesse not to reject it but instead to appreciates and love all of existence in whole.
By only understanding the totality of human experience will you attain Nirvana.
crypticghosti's review against another edition
5.0
thank you keira for the book recommendation. i get why u love it sm, its wonderful.
mandalor3960's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the plot early on, which stopped because of the repetitive wandering of Siddhartha. I then fell in love with the philosophical insight that grew more pronounced in the later half of the book. The ending seemed befitting in that Siddhartha came to a conclusion in his findings, but I can't help but wonder if by reaching an end in his journey, is that not an oxymoron because his life is a journey? Either way, it was a good point to end the book.
I'm not in total agreeance in the way that Siddhartha gave into the material world after he met with Buddha. I also didn't agree in the way that Siddhartha told the Buddha he needs no more teachers, yet he still has teachers afterwards. This all seems conflicting to me because Siddhartha was painted as this god-like being during his youth and time with the Samanas, but then falls so far after his meeting with the Buddha, and the enlightenment that ensued.
I might be in some sort of Oriental phase, where I am enjoying anything I read or see from that region, but this book related to me dearly, and probably relates to everyone in some way.
Rating Update 4/9/19- 4 stars to 3 stars. The second half of the book lowered the rating because of the reasons mentioned above. The story seemed linear and coherent up to that point before the contradictions occurred. I also didn't like the final quarter of the book that dealt with Siddhartha and his son. The ending also felt inappropriate. Siddhartha seems like an old giggly man rather than an enlightened one. I was expecting him to become even more enlightened than the Buddha.
Update 9 June 2019
With the adoption of my new rating system, a three star rating is befitting. The justification for this rating is based heavily on the rating update from April 9, 2019 and the original review. Essentially I found the first half to be of four star rated content and the second half to be of three, two, and one star rated content. The cumulative rating falls slightly under three stars but when rounded up is three stars.
Update 12 August 2019
I stand with the three star rating even if the ending was a letdown and left me with distaste for the entire book. As the previous reviews and updates state, the first half and third quarter of the book had a great philosophical insight from which I saved excerpts for personal reflection. My rating takes into account rating the book based on ratings for the separate sections. If the ending was valuable to the consummate feeling of this book, the book would certainly be rated at two stars.
August 30, 2019
Update
For some time, even shortly after finishing it, I have been disgruntled with the book. The disappointing ending, which lead to the downturn of all that had been building up, had made me think that the book deserved a one star rating. However, I forget that I collected many quotes and enjoyed close to half or more than half of the story. The rating of this book is closer to a 2.5 star rating.
November 12, 2019
Update
One of the biggest reasons why I have left the book at a three star-rating is because of this quote from the original section of the review: "I might be in some sort of Oriental phase, where I am enjoying anything I read or see from that region, but this book related to me dearly, and probably relates to everyone in some way". I was positively shaken by this book, however, my current feelings do not match that.
I'm not in total agreeance in the way that Siddhartha gave into the material world after he met with Buddha. I also didn't agree in the way that Siddhartha told the Buddha he needs no more teachers, yet he still has teachers afterwards. This all seems conflicting to me because Siddhartha was painted as this god-like being during his youth and time with the Samanas, but then falls so far after his meeting with the Buddha, and the enlightenment that ensued.
I might be in some sort of Oriental phase, where I am enjoying anything I read or see from that region, but this book related to me dearly, and probably relates to everyone in some way.
Rating Update 4/9/19- 4 stars to 3 stars. The second half of the book lowered the rating because of the reasons mentioned above. The story seemed linear and coherent up to that point before the contradictions occurred. I also didn't like the final quarter of the book that dealt with Siddhartha and his son. The ending also felt inappropriate. Siddhartha seems like an old giggly man rather than an enlightened one. I was expecting him to become even more enlightened than the Buddha.
Update 9 June 2019
With the adoption of my new rating system, a three star rating is befitting. The justification for this rating is based heavily on the rating update from April 9, 2019 and the original review. Essentially I found the first half to be of four star rated content and the second half to be of three, two, and one star rated content. The cumulative rating falls slightly under three stars but when rounded up is three stars.
Update 12 August 2019
I stand with the three star rating even if the ending was a letdown and left me with distaste for the entire book. As the previous reviews and updates state, the first half and third quarter of the book had a great philosophical insight from which I saved excerpts for personal reflection. My rating takes into account rating the book based on ratings for the separate sections. If the ending was valuable to the consummate feeling of this book, the book would certainly be rated at two stars.
August 30, 2019
Update
For some time, even shortly after finishing it, I have been disgruntled with the book. The disappointing ending, which lead to the downturn of all that had been building up, had made me think that the book deserved a one star rating. However, I forget that I collected many quotes and enjoyed close to half or more than half of the story. The rating of this book is closer to a 2.5 star rating.
November 12, 2019
Update
One of the biggest reasons why I have left the book at a three star-rating is because of this quote from the original section of the review: "I might be in some sort of Oriental phase, where I am enjoying anything I read or see from that region, but this book related to me dearly, and probably relates to everyone in some way". I was positively shaken by this book, however, my current feelings do not match that.
thelibraryskeeper's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
5.0
As a student of religious studies, I, of course, had read different variations of the Buddha story. This, however, was my first time reading Hesse. Hesse has a gorgeous way of writing the Buddha story that really turned it into much more of a personal experience rather than a spiritual text typically tends to read.
“Knowledge can be conveyed, but not wisdom. It can be found, it can be lived, it is possible to be carried by it, miracles can be performed with it, but it cannot be expressed in words and taught.”
“Knowledge can be conveyed, but not wisdom. It can be found, it can be lived, it is possible to be carried by it, miracles can be performed with it, but it cannot be expressed in words and taught.”
garyjw's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
manifeststefany's review against another edition
5.0
I think I had some bias that kept me from reading this sooner. It turned out to be a delightful mental journey.
danielafin's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0