'A subtle distillation of wisdom, stylistic grace and symmetry of form' Sunday Times

'It's hard to think of a more recent novel that has sung so eloquently the joys of being alone' Guardian

An inspirational classic from Nobel Prize-winner Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha is a beautiful tale of self-discovery

Dissatisfied with the ways of life he has experienced, Siddhartha, the handsome son of a Brahmin, leaves his family and his friend, Govinda, in search of a higher state of being. Having experienced the myriad forms of existence, from immense wealth and luxury to the pleasures of sensual and paternal love, Siddhartha finally settles down beside a river, where a humble ferryman teaches him his most valuable lesson yet.

Hermann Hesse's short, elegant novel, echoing the life of the Buddha, has been cherished by readers for decades as an unforgettable spiritual primer. A tender and unforgettable moral allegory, it is an undeniable classic of modern literature.

Part of the Pushkin Press Classics series: timeless storytelling by icons of literature, hand-picked from around the globe

Translated by Hilda Rosner

Hermann Hesse (1877-1963) is counted among the leading novelists and thinkers of the twentieth century. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1946 for a body of literature renowned for its humanist, philosophical and spiritual insight. His most famous works include Siddhartha, Journey to the East, Demian, Steppenwolf, and Narcissus and Goldmund.



Hermann Hesse (1877-1963) is counted among the leading novelists and thinkers of the twentieth century. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1946 for a body of literature renowned for its humanist, philosophical and spiritual insight. His most famous works include Siddhartha, Journey to the East, Demian, Steppenwolf, and Narcissus and Goldmund.HILDA ROSNER translated not only Siddhartha but also several more of Hesse's major works, including Journey to the East, Gertrude and The Dhammapada.



A subtle distillation of wisdom, stylistic grace and symmetry of form



A writer of genius



'[It's] hard to think of a more recent novel that has sung so eloquently of the joys of being alone... beguiling



Its simple prose and rebellious character echoed the yearnings of a generation that was seeking a way out of conformity, materialism and outward power.... Siddhartha emerged as a symbol; the symbol of those who seek the truth



This novel is an eternally unfolding lotus: as fresh as the day I first read from its leaves



He was an interesting figure who, through his refusal to acknowledge his limitations or the times he lived in, brought something entirely new to the novel



A trusted guide for a generation of readers whose faith in institutions was destroyed by the First World War



Siddhartha can encompass many more readings than one first supposes, and can become a touchstone that somehow keeps one company through life, growing older and more mature as the reader does