/lit/ - Literature

>>6867236
Thank you for helping

>>6867243
I actually love the book, found that review after reading it and found it hilarious.

No, this one particular book probably won't help you attain happiness or figure out what happiness is, but it probably will at least make you think differently about things. It is not the most profound thing ever written, and as much as I like it, I enjoyed each of the other four books I've read by Hesse even more, but it is definitely worth the read.

>>6867265
I would also venture to say it is a good place to start with Hesse if you want to read more of his works. It gives a good idea of where his mind is when reading his other novels.

>>6867229
>What are your thoughts on this book?
Love the book

>Too much washy-washiness?
No. If someone holds that opinion, I find it silly.

>Does it help in attaining happines?
If by happiness, you mean you enjoy reading it, then yes.

>Does it help you understand what happiness is?
For me personally, the book was "preaching to the choir." I've been exposed to Buddhism for awhile, so I understand/relate to some of the key concepts and themes found in the book. However, I think the book is going to resonate with different kinds of people. If anything, it's an interesting introduction into Eastern feelings and mindsets.

>>6867229
I feel like Hesse kind of pushed the philosophy of Buddhism through a cheesegrater of nihilism and delivered this little piece. It was written in the throes of his disenchantment with nationalism, relationships, even society if you interpret his move to his lakehouse as an act of isolation.

What do you think?

>>6867236
That review is by a woman. Just sayin.

>>6868199
There is no cheesegrater, lad. Nothing is.

It's a beautiful novella. It's fun, it simultaneously introduces and exoticizes the dharma. Maybe that's why this book gets a lot of gripe on here.

It's a good book. I wouldn't use it as a guide to happiness, though, not when Buddhism, Christianity, and Greek philosophy exist and all make valid claims to offering some kind of means to that end. This is just a novel.

It's a very light yet deep book. Probably older people, like 30+ year olds would think it's too naive, but I think it's a good read for someone in his early or mid 20s.
Also, the book isn't about helping you attain happiness or understand it even, it's just Siddhartha's journey as imagined by Hesse, which is a beautiful work.

Right now I'm half through Tezuka's own version of Siddhartha's journey (his manga "Buddha"), and I think I'm liking this version even more than Hesse's.

Pretty great. I read it from a psychoanalytic perspective much of the time

>>6869521
Hesse's Siddhartha is not Buddha Siddhartha. They both meet each other.

>>6869542
You're probably right, I should re-read Siddhartha by Hesse, I forgot most of it. I remembered it was not the buddha, but I just thoguht of it as an alternate story, I didn't remember both of them meet in the book.

>>6867229
Quick read. Good book. Gateway to "better drugs."

>>6867236
real kek

It's okay.
It's a book you'd read in a high school class and possibly complain about.