Siddhartha

An Indian Tale

By: Hermann Hesse

Narrated by: Arthur Brown

Herman Hesse, the German-Swiss poet, novelist and painter, was born in 1877 in Calw, Germany. His parents were Christian missionaries, with interests in book publishing, and young Herman grew up in a world of theological discussion. Through his grandfather, who had worked in India as a missionary, he also possessed a keen awareness of Eastern philosophy and spirituality.

Siddhartha, a story based on the early life of Gautama Buddha, is concerned with the human search for self-knowledge and authentic spirituality. Hesse had written the first part of the book easily enough, but had to stop for a year with depression, before completing it in 1922. The book is a synthesis of Buddhist, Hindu, Taoist, and Christian thought, though Hesse rejected all conventional religion for a more individual and personal path. As he wrote: ‘The only thing of importance to me is being able to love the world, without looking down on it, without hating it and myself - being able to regard it and myself and all beings with love, admiration, and reverence.’

He became popular for his spiritual writing in the American counter-culture scene of the 1960s - and since his death in 1962, he has been one of the best-selling German writers in the world.

©1922 White Crow Productions Ltd (P)2009 White Crow Productions Ltd

Enlightening story

The story makes your think and place yourself in so many situations and places. It have me clearer meaning to we are all one and to the insignificant meaning to time.

One to be read and re-read over and over

The narrator did a wonderful job, the audio is clear and the characters discernable.

What a great story. Never has a book done such a wonderful job conveying the oneness of all things.

Never has a book allowed me to look at thoughts and words in such a new light of understanding.

Great story, good narration

I really enjoyed the story and got a lot out of it to think on.

For the narration, I really enjoyed his voice, it was extremely pleasant to listen to, but I listen to audiobooks whilst driving and he quite often lowers his voice toward the end of a paragraph or statement which is really difficult to hear in a moving car. I wish he stayed more consistent in his projection. Other than that, it was a lovely listen.

A wonderful journey

I wish I had found this book a long time ago. I will make a point to listen again in a quiet place to help evoke the visuals contained within. The journey this book takes you on, though set far away is one that we all take just in different forms. Truly a classic.

What stood out the most was the theme of "this too shall pass". And of letting events/life take their course.

I liked it, but it was a little deep to be listened to. maybe it would have been better to have read this story. It was still enjoyable, but may have been better understood if read.