Siddhartha

Published in 1922 Siddhartha is the most famous and influential novel by Nobel prize-winning author Hermann Hesse. The book was written in German in a simple lyrical style and became influential during the 1960s. Set in India Siddhartha is the story of a young Brahmin's search for ultimate reality after meeting with the Buddha. His quest takes him from a life of decadence to asceticism through the illusory joys of sensual love with a beautiful courtesan and of wealth and fame to the painful struggles with his son and the ultimate wisdom of renunciation. Hermann Hesse (July 2 1877 - August 9 1962) was a German poet novelist and painter. His best-known works include Steppenwolf Siddhartha and The Glass Bead Game each of which explores an individual's search for authenticity self-knowledge and spirituality. In 1946 he received the Nobel Prize in Literature. Translated by: Gunther Olesch Anke Dreher Amy Coulter Stefan Langer and Semyon Chaichenets.