Siddhartha Audiobook By Hermann Hesse cover art

Siddhartha

Preview

Try for $0.00
Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

Siddhartha

By: Hermann Hesse
Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $11.66

Buy for $11.66

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

This compelling spiritual quest by Hermann Hesse, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1946, is considered one of the most important works of 20th century fiction. Siddhartha's search for enlightenment leads him to the river of life itself. On his journey he learns from many teachers: the ascetic Samanas, the all-knowing Gotama the Buddha, Kamala the lovely courtesan, and Vasudeva the simple ferryman. Unwilling to accept the wisdom of others, Siddhartha comes to an understanding of himself and his place in the universe, finally achieving the enlightened state of mind in which he can say to his lifelong friend: "The world, Govinda, is perfect at every moment."

Public Domain (P)1986 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Classics Fiction Metaphysical & Visionary Inspiring
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"No living English-speaking actor outshines Derek Jacobi, nor any audiobook reader for that matter. He sings, rather than speaks, with extraordinary lyricism, expressiveness, and depth." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about Siddhartha

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    777
  • 4 Stars
    149
  • 3 Stars
    64
  • 2 Stars
    16
  • 1 Stars
    8
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    683
  • 4 Stars
    102
  • 3 Stars
    38
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    7
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    664
  • 4 Stars
    111
  • 3 Stars
    40
  • 2 Stars
    10
  • 1 Stars
    6

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

classic for a reason

Great performance
great literature
a lovely look into the human condition
good words to ponder for teens and adults alike

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Clarity

This novel is a good start for those seeking clarity of heart and soul.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Decades later

I’ve had a goal to read this book for 3 decades. I’ve started it multiple times and had yet to complete it. Now was my time. I had it read to me with enchanting narration by Derek Jacobi. First experience with Audible. Great listen while doing yoga. Sincerely, Mieke

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enlightening Book!

This book is, quite simply, deeply spiritual. I read it as a teenager and listened to it now, at 65. I enjoyed it immensely each time. It is beyond religion and goes straight to the core of spirituality. It should be a timeless classic. Perhaps it is?
Anyway, I couldn’t stop listening until the very end.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Choosing an audio version of Siddhartha

Audible currently offers 4 versions of Hermann Hesse's, "Siddhartha". I'd like to help you with your selection.

Derek Jacobi brilliantly breathes life into the current edition. The reading is stellar, making this by far the recommended choice. Caveat: this version is abridged.

As for the unabridged versions:

Fidrous Bamji: If you must choose an unabridged version, this is the best of the lot. The narration is pleasing to the ear, but simply lacks the magic of Jacobi's rendition.

James Langton: TOO FAST. Langton literally speed narrates the story, leaving you with a throbbing headache by the time he's done.

Harish Bhimani: Bhimani sounds too self-indulgent, seems to be in love with his own voice. Pronunciation and inflection are questionable. The translation sounds flat, dead, worn.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

50 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

1000s of pages of Dharma in an easy to listen form

1000s of pages of Dharma in an easy to listen format. I will definitely listen to it again.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Herman Hesse at his best!

The performative British accent of the narrator may take some getting used to, but overall it fits the story well.

If you enjoyed Demian or Narcissus and Goldmund you will like Siddhartha.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

wonderful story well executed.

as a devoted Christian and follower of Christ, there are many aspects that overlap with Buddhism and I enjoy studying those. this is a well done story with an excellent narrator.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

a great journey

great job Derek, a pleasure to listen to. I just wish the chapter changes were announced.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Noble Book

From time to time I read this book. All of our individual journeys unto spiritual and natural wholeness ennoble us. And yes, we all do this. Even ones that claim they do not believe in spirit. Buddhism I find is the most honest avenue for dealing with the issue which perpetuates sorrow in life. It goes right to the root of the problem.

I have never found the peace I seek.Like Siddhartha when he meets the Buddha, he acknowledges that finding Self is not to mean also destroying Self. There is a way to cut out our desire without cutting out our souls making us mechanical robots. I just don’t know how to confidently be happy as is in the now. I have a nagging fear I am only going through the motions and convincing myself I have reached enlightenment on very rare occasions (very rare) when I do seem to be at peace. I believe those rare occasions stem more from being momentarily sated than just being in Being.

A very important and noble book. Though we all may fail time and time again in finding unadulterated bliss, we all keep trying.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!