Siddartha

I finished reading Siddartha by Herman Hesse. This novel is originally written in German and transcribed into English. I understand it was very popular in the 1960's. The book is lyrical, easy to read, and goes very quickly. The story is about a man named Siddartha who lives in ancient India-6th century BC. As a young man, Siddartha leaves his family to wander with other monks through the countryside seeking enlightenment and nirvana. He leaves that way of life and spends time as a worldly man - a rich business man with a beautiful courtesan lover. He leaves that way of life and finds enlightenment along a river. The river becomes very important to Siddartha. The river is a source of strength - stronger than rock. The river is at the mouth, the river is at the delta, the river is everywhere. The circle of life is a big theme in this book.Siddartha never thinks about his father's feelings when he left until his own son leaves him. I liked this book. I can identify with Siddartha. I get spirituality from nature too.