Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse (3.8🌟)

Siddhartha is the story of a man, son of a Brahmin (priest), who searches for enlightenment all his life. The novel relates important events in his life since he leaves his family to join the samana (people who abandon material possessions and their socialobligations in life). Siddhartha has an encounter with Gotama, the buddha, leaves the samana, to live a "normal" life, life he abandons after a few years as he feels dissatisfied with what he has become. In the final chapters of the book Siddhartha finds peace in the company of an old ferryman.

The above story may not sound exciting but I don't think this was the point of the book. To me the point was to reveal a man's inner thoughts as he observes the world that surrounds him, as he teaches what he knows and learns from others. Most importantly to show how a man (or woman? I guess) can choose spirituality over materiality and be happy. The novel provides some insights into Hinduism, Buddhism and their cosmology. I found the glossary, at the end of the book, pretty useful.  I think this an excellent read for anyone, who like me, wants to learn about Buddhism and the way Buddhists see the world.

My edition is a Penguin Modern Classics. It has 121 pages including an introduction by Paulo Coelho  and a glossary of indian terms.