Siddhartha

'Wisdom cannot be imparted. Wisdom that a wise man attempts to impart always sounds like foolishness to someone else.' First published in 1922 and a novel which remains hugely influential to this day, Siddhartha is Herman Hesse's profound exploration of self-discovery. Set during the time of the Gautama Buddha in the fifth century, Hesse's masterpiece follows our titular protagonist, Siddhartha, as he seeks for the guidance of a higher power. Flanked by his good friend, Govinda, Siddhartha dives head-first into a future unknown, fasting, renouncing all possessions and undertaking lengthy meditation. After travelling to the city, Siddhartha soon falls into a life of luxury, wealth and sensual pleasure, only to find himself lost in life yet again. But little does he know, a selfless ferryman is about to unveil to Siddhartha his most valuable life lesson yet… With moving contemplations on time, suffering, nature and so much more, Siddhartha is at once a powerful moral allegory and an unforgettable spiritual journey. Hermann Hesse (1877 – 1962) was a German–Swiss poet and novelist. Although widely read in German speaking countries during his lifetime, Hesse achieved international acclaim after his death. The winner of the 1946 Nobel Prize in Literature, he was heavily influenced by Eastern spiritual and philosophical ideologies which shaped his works.