Siddhartha

By: Hermann Hesse

Narrated by: Derek Jacobi

This compelling spiritual quest by Hermann Hesse, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1946, is considered one of the most important works of 20th century fiction. Siddhartha's search for enlightenment leads him to the river of life itself. On his journey he learns from many teachers: the ascetic Samanas, the all-knowing Gotama the Buddha, Kamala the lovely courtesan, and Vasudeva the simple ferryman. Unwilling to accept the wisdom of others, Siddhartha comes to an understanding of himself and his place in the universe, finally achieving the enlightened state of mind in which he can say to his lifelong friend: "The world, Govinda, is perfect at every moment."

Public Domain (P)1986 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"No living English-speaking actor outshines Derek Jacobi, nor any audiobook reader for that matter. He sings, rather than speaks, with extraordinary lyricism, expressiveness, and depth." (AudioFile)

classic for a reason

Great performance
great literature
a lovely look into the human condition
good words to ponder for teens and adults alike

Clarity

This novel is a good start for those seeking clarity of heart and soul.

Decades later

I’ve had a goal to read this book for 3 decades. I’ve started it multiple times and had yet to complete it. Now was my time. I had it read to me with enchanting narration by Derek Jacobi. First experience with Audible. Great listen while doing yoga. Sincerely, Mieke

Enlightening Book!

This book is, quite simply, deeply spiritual. I read it as a teenager and listened to it now, at 65. I enjoyed it immensely each time. It is beyond religion and goes straight to the core of spirituality. It should be a timeless classic. Perhaps it is?
Anyway, I couldn’t stop listening until the very end.

Great Book

I liked the voice of the reader. This is a beautiful book. People with connection to the indian subcontinent would enjoy this completely