Siddharta by Herman Hesse is part of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die List. It is labeled as “philosophical fiction” and that it is. Siddharta is a Royal in ancient India who dabbles in all the sinful pleasures to a fault. He decides to leave his home in hopes of finding spiritual enlightenment, he quickly becomes homeless, renounces all his possessions. He wanders and briefly joins the Enlightened One/Buddha who travels teaching his philosophy with his believers. Siddharta acknowledges his wisdom but claims it does not account for an individual’s experiences so continues on his quest.

He meets Kamala whom says to take him as a lover he must become wealthy to give her gifts she desires. He quickly does using the patience and tactics he learned as an ascetic. After years of being a wealthy businessman and Kamala’s lover he still feels incomplete so he returns to a ferryman he’d encounter at the beginning of his journey and joins his simple life.

Siddharta encounters Kamala years later as she’s crossing the river to visit the deathbed of the Buddha. She is traveling with a young boy whom Siddharta realizes is his son. Kamala is bitten by a snake and asks Siddharta to care for his son.

Much like Siddharta, the son becomes disillusioned with life and runs away. Siddharta desperately wants to go after him but the ferryman tells him he must allow the boy to find his own path much like Siddharta did. He realizes the worry and anguish he must’ve put his parents through when he left without a word and never came back.
Siddharta gains reputation of being the “Enlightened One” and people from all over now come to visit him for spiritual meaning.

It is a short read but it carries quite a bit of weight with its take on life and spiritual fulfillment.

What’s your take on philosophical fiction and non-fiction? Give it a try or skip?