One Week, One Book 01

Siddhartha, as a person on a self-pilgrimage, feels very connected to the modern era in an interesting way. At first, when we start reading, we are almost pushed to think that this is similar to the story of Gautama Buddha. But as we go further, it slowly opens into something else. The introduction of Gotama as a separate character creates a shift, and Siddhartha steps into his own journey.

Hesse seems to move between the outer world and the inner self very smoothly. It feels like he is also touching on something very modern, the way people keep searching for meaning and trying to understand themselves. There is this sense of a divided self or restless human nature, and Siddhartha’s journey brings that out in a simple but deep way.

Even though the story, on the surface, may feel like a loose or even distorted version of Buddha’s life, Hesse’s use of Eastern philosophy gives it a different layer. It becomes more about how the modern mind understands life and meaning rather than just retelling a spiritual story.

To me, Kamala’s death feels like the end of a certain phase (maybe desire, love, or attachment)which marks a change in Siddhartha. And characters like his friend: Govinda, the ferryman, and even his son somehow act like bridges, helping us see different sides of reality through his journey.

I really noticed the ambiguity. As with the modern narrations it reminded me that self is not something fixed it keeps changing. And this reading made me feel that finding meaning is not simple or direct. It is personal, sometimes confusing, and always evolving.

"Siddhartha, what are you waiting for?"

"You know what."

"Will you always stand that way and wait, untill it'll becomes morning, noon, and evening?"

"I will stand and wait."

"You will become tired, Siddhartha."

"I will become tired."

"You will fall asleep, Siddhartha."

"I will not fall a sleep."

"You will die, Siddhartha."

"I will die."

So, we search, we find and vice versa. We will become tired and die but we will not fall a sleep.

-Tharushi-
12.04.2026