“Siddhartha” is the story of one man, but a reflection of the impulses inherent to all men. Told in deceptively simple prose, this is a story of change, growth, quest, and the search for ultimate meaning.

Siddhartha is a young man when he leaves home to become an aescetic. After years of sacrifice and contemplation leave him unfulfilled, he decides to re-enter society and become a business man. Business pursuits fail to yeild the satisfaction Siddhartha craves, and so he leaves this lifestyle to become a ferryman on a river.

“Siddhartha” contains three main sub-plots. One is the seperation and eventual reunion that Siddhartha has with his childhood friend, Govinda. Another is the sexual awakening that Siddhartha enjoys with a prostitute named Kamala. The third is the relationship that Siddhartha (unsuccessfully) attempts to foster with his son.

“Siddhartha” is a wonderful book; it captures the universal drive to assign some meaning to the apparent randomness and emptiness in our lives. It would be a great choice for university students, mature high school students, and anyone interested in Eastern religions – particularly Buddhism and Hinduism.

So, what is the ultimate meaning? I leave it for you to determine, but here’s a hint:

everything is everything, time is an illusion, and rocks are God.

—katherine