Siddhartha is a young man living with the Brahmin. While he is supposed to continue his life inside the community, Siddhartha, who is searching for spiritual enlightment, decides to leave the community with his best friend, Govinda.
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In his attempts to find enlightment, Siddhartha becomes homeless. He fasts and mediates, trying to reach enlightment in the most common way in India, but once again fails. He and Govinda also meet Buddha, but while Govinda decides to join his believers, Siddhartha believes one should not, if he really seeks enlightment. Siddhartha says that in order to reach enlightment, one should live these experiences Buddha speaks of and have his own insights, and not use others'. He and Govinda seperate - Govinda joins Buddha and Siddhartha continues his journey.
Siddhartha later reaches a city, in which he meets Kamala, a beautiful woman and a courtesan. She is impressed by his looks and wit and tells him she will teach him the art of love if he becomes reach. He despises materialistic pursuits, but does so anyway, in order to learn from Kamala. However, he realizes it was just a game and he has gained nothing, spiritally speaking, and he decides to leave the city and go live by the river, which he had crossed earlier. He lives with a man who teaches him to listen to the secrets of the river. He is satisfied.
Years later, Govinda finds him, still there. After Govinda asks for his wisdom, Siddhartha tells him that he should love himself and the world and that nothing is definite. When Siddhartha is near death he smiles, knowing he had reached the enlightment he was looking for.
Best part of story, including ending:
I liked the ideas in the story and the philosophy. The writing was a bit of a problem, but I enjoyed the philosophy in it.
Best scene in story:
I didn't have a favorite scene.
Opinion about the main character:
I like that Siddhartha is willing to do anything to find enlightment.
