Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

Hermann Hesse was one of my favorite authors in high school and early college. He lived a difficult life, which you can read about here, and that struggle shows up again and again in his work. Many of his novels revolve around self-realization and inner conflict, and Siddhartha is no exception.

Siddhartha is trained in ritual, meditation, and intellectual discipline. He’s admired by all and shares a close bond with his loyal friend Govinda. Despite his success, he feels inwardly dissatisfied, noticing that even respected Brahmin elders haven’t attained true spiritual fulfillment. Believing that traditional teachings can no longer guide him, Siddhartha decides to leave home to find enlightenment on his own terms. His father reluctantly agrees, and Govinda chooses to come along.

From there, the novel follows Siddhartha’s lifelong journey as he explores different ways of living, including asceticism, Buddhism, and a material, worldly existence. He learns from many teachers — the Brahmins, a merchant, a courtesan, a ferryman, and even a river — but through it all, he tries to remember what matters most: “I can wait, I can think, I can fast.”

At its core, Siddhartha argues growth is an inward journey that requires self-discovery rather than prescribed paths or doctrines. You might understand the teaching, but you won’t grasp the essence unless you have experienced it yourself, a distinction some people describe as the difference between knowledge and wisdom. 

Other books I’ve reviewed on this site, such as Range and The Art of Spending Money, similarly emphasize the benefits of self-exploration. Whether the goal is spiritual enlightenment or financial success, research shows that people who take time to experiment often end up ahead in both happiness and material outcomes. In one epiphany, Siddhartha realizes he’s been chasing external goals without truly knowing himself. If happiness comes from within, and he doesn’t know himself, how could he ever be truly happy?

Many of the book’s themes feel even more relevant in our fast-paced world — mindfulness, listening, and patience — reminding us that the journey is inseparable from the destination. Eastern concepts run throughout the novel, likely inspired by Hesse’s personal crisis and trip to Asia. Siddhartha is metaphorically “reborn” multiple times throughout his journey, finally arriving at a state of understanding — similar to karmic rebirth and the attainment of Nirvana.

The book reads more like a philosophical parable than a traditional novel. It’s a quick, easy read at around 100 pages but at the same time, the writing isn’t simplistic; it perfectly matches the contemplative feel of the story. I think it could be a great audiobook; I’ve never listened to one but the writing has a lyrical, almost poetic rhythm that I enjoy. I’d describe it as “searching,” with lots of commas and repeated phrases that mirror Siddhartha’s own cycles of searching for self-realization. It’s interesting how the sentence structure mirrors the story’s structure itself.

The setting is straightforward, enough to frame the story but not overly detailed. Some people criticize the book for simplifying Eastern religions, but adding too much depth would undermine its purpose as a parable about self-discovery.

I love Siddhartha for both its themes and its style. The prose and message are calm, the short length keeps it low-stakes, and the simple arc makes it a comfort read for me. It’s the kind of book I enjoy in the same way I enjoy The Little Prince and The Alchemist.