Siddharta by Hermann Hesse

I bought “Siddharta” by Hermann Hesse from a used book store in downtown Tunis a couple of weeks ago, and only got around to finishing it today although it’s not that long.
Not much time left for me to read these days with work and a bunch of other things taking up my time.

When I first picked this book, I thought it was about the life of Siddharta, The Buddha. It turns out it’s not. It’s about the spiritual journey of an Indian man called Siddhartha during the time of the Buddha. He actually meets the Buddha but doesn’t follow his teachings because he no longer believes in teachers.

The story is an interesting one and does provoke thought in a number of places. I especially like the character’s thoughts on time, good vs. evil, and this quote: “Knowledge Can Be Communicated, But Not Wisdom”, which I think is true.
I also agree with the point that is made about everyone having the right to make their own mistakes, learn from them and use them to understand the world more.

I think this is a good book to readm especially for people who are at that stage of their lives when they’re searching for the meaning to it all and trying to make sense of everything. It gives another perspective and understanding of life which is always interesting.

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Mohamed Marwen Meddah

Mohamed Marwen Meddah is a Tunisian-Canadian, web aficionado, software engineering leader, blogger, and amateur photographer.

4 thoughts on “Siddharta by Hermann Hesse”

  1. I read it last summer, as part of the summer reading required for this year in my school. I agree with what you said.

  2. thanks MMM. Another good books I heard theyre good is the Da Vinici Code and God’s code

  3. Zied, I think it’s good that they require you to read such books in school, they help you see another perspective on life even if you don’t need to agree with it in the end.

    Niveen, You’re welcome 🙂
    And thank you for your suggestions too.
    I have the Da Vinci Code as an ebook, but I’d rather read it on paper than on my pc, so I’ll be trying to get a hard copy of it soon.
    As for God’s code, it’s the first time I hear of it. I’ll try to check it out 🙂

  4. *snip* I also agree with the point that is made about everyone having the right to make their own mistakes, learn from them and use them to understand the world more.*/snip*

    “Wise Men, as Poor Dick says, learn by others Harms, Fools scarcely by their own”

    Ben Franklin (as Poor Richard)

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