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History has provided us with a vast library of treasured literary works from around the world. Amongst these there are a number of particularly precious gems. Usually certain works mean more to one person than to another, but the overall worthiness of most works considered a part of literary history is largely undisputable.

One such work that I would like to bring your attention to here is Siddartha by Hermann Hesse. To me this novel is one of the finest which can be drawn from the swathes of writings through the past, but this is not because of its myriad interpretations or complex linguistic form. This novel, which Hesse wrote in 1922, has a much humbler sense to it and this is what makes it so worthy.

Given the sort of philosophical views which it represents, the time at which the book was authored might seem rather surprising. However, Herman Hesse had travelled to India in the late 1910s which inspired him to investigate the eastern philosophical traditions further. His works are famously influenced by his study of them, and it is Siddartha which is perhaps known most of all for this.

The novel is a fable which closely mirrors the story of the Buddha, but ideology is not being forcd down our throats. Instead we are treated to an insightful depiction of one man's attempt to make sense out of life. There is no preaching here, and one might even say that Hesse's existential thoughts underlie this work rather than anything particularly Buddhist. Whilst we are not, therefore, given any logical philosophical arguments, what we are left with is a new idea about how we might view life.

It is the ability of this novel to give us a deep sense of wonder, as well as to tell a story so elegantly, that warrants its attention from readers at large. It is a highly recommended read and, being so short, is certainly not an arduous undertaking no matter what your own take on this book is. So why not have a look and see if you think there's any truth in what I've said.