Siddhartha


Read by Adrian Praetzellis

(4.7 stars; 1413 reviews)

Siddhartha is one of the great philosophical novels. Profoundly insightful, it is also a beautifully written story that begins as Siddhartha, son of an Indian Brahman, leaves his family and begins a lifelong journey towards Enlightenment. On the way he faces the entire range of human experience and emotion: he lives with ascetics, meets Gotama the Buddha, learns the art of love from Kamala the courtesan, and is transformed by the simple philosophy of the ferryman Vasudeva whose wisdom comes not from learned teachings but from observing the River. Herman Hesse (1877-1962) was a German-Swiss novelist, poet, and painter. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1946. This recording contains a sound clip from http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/samplesViewSingle.php?id=15362 (Summary by Adrian Praetzellis) (5 hr 6 min)

Chapters

THE SON OF THE BRAHMAN 20:59 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
WITH THE SAMANAS 27:05 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
GOTAMA 23:54 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
AWAKENING 12:24 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
KAMALA 36:32 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
WITH THE CHILDLIKE PEOPLE 22:14 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
SANSARA 24:57 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
BY THE RIVER 30:52 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
THE FERRYMAN 35:07 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
THE SON 24:27 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
OM 18:30 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
GOVINDA 29:07 Read by Adrian Praetzellis

Reviews

read with one breath


(5 stars)

This book is perfect for those who like to contemplate about purpose of life & tend to be more conscious... I think most people can either recognize themselves in the main hero or listen to the vital topics touched upon in this book. Didn‘t know Hermann Hesse is such a great writer... Hope to hear more of his books! And mb even be able to understand his books in german (haven‘t tried yet:))

The go-to-book for spirituality in the REAL world


(5 stars)

The only way to do justice to this book is to read and hear it many times over. So many thoughts and just as many doubts cross the mind with each line. Adrian Praetzellis loans a magical voice to this already wonderful book. Meditation, if only briefly could be had, would be by listening to this book.

Great story, great reader but...


(4 stars)

Amazingly narrated by Herman Hesse and great reading by Adrian. His words and flow while reading had all those feelings of the people who felt what was written in the story. The sentences, the pauses, everything was perfect, except one thing - the pronounciation of various names throughout the story. The non-indian readers should definitely need to learn how to pronounce the names of Indian literature, especially the names which come in the book they're reading. For example, Adrian kept saying 'Go-taa-maa' instead of 'Gautam'; 'Vasu-diva' instead of 'Vasu-dev' and I don't know the exact name but think 'Ka-maala' must be 'Kamla'. The 'D' in your language has two different pronunciations in Sanskrit (or Hindi). Please learn that first. If you do, it doesn't make it awkward or uncomfortable to listen to your awesome readings.

A book that preaches oneness.


(5 stars)

As a student of law i have learnt a lot from this book. Siddhartha realizes that a man is a product of nature, and as nature is known to embody myraid forms and shapes, fire and water, breeze and storm, men too embody good and bad, calm and delirious passion, withing the same skin. In the end, joy is found in oneness and not in acwuiting distinguished education, jobs amd cars. The teachings are especially relevant in the backdrop of rampant suicides by overburdened students in India striving relentlessly to distinguish themselves from the heard. an endeavour which is bound to be unsuccessful and Siddhartha's proves how. Thank you Mr. Adrian for supplying your deep voice to enhancing and serving the depth of this book on a platter to a curious reader.

Beautiful...Reflective


(5 stars)

Adrian reads it masterfully. The story itself is a reflective one. I found myself thinking on my life (not a terribly long one, which makes this fact truly remarkable) and of the perceived great and little things that have influenced my actions and inactions. I have reflected on my thoughts and many other aspects of existence. I enjoyed listening to it.

Wonderfully read


(5 stars)

I have a fever last night and stayed in my bed for hours. I listened to this and it helped me focus on the story and gave way to a relaxed state that made me sleepy. I finished the novel and appreciate how beautiful the story is.

Personification of the illusionary god


(5 stars)

In other books, Siddartha is a legend. In other stories, Siddartha is a man turned Buddah. Still, in other teachings, Siddartha is a powerful god who bestows richness to the devout. Hesse made Siddhartha an ordinary man. But he made Siddartha like an ever-flowing river, an ever-changing water, a one resembling all. He made Siddartha a collection of wise words, that to Siddartha had no meaning. Still, the completion of Siddartha is a journey back to the beginning; a child's soul maturing into an understanding of illusion and reality, and returning back to a child that accepts life as it is, and loves it with the reality of love.


(5 stars)

Marvelous choice for my week spent walking along the ocean contemplating the beautiful words of this enthralling book. Each chapter is complete yet builds to an interwoven finish that is exhilarating. Poetry of phrase is subtly placed to flow naturally as water over a gentle slope. 40 years since my first reading, the connections brought to life within me were surprisingly strong and cathartic. Truly a treasure I might have benefited from sooner in a different way. Though it seems, too, that timing for me played perfectly for now. Delightful book, not to be missed!