Post Reading Reaction

Siddhartha was a mediocre book in my opinion.  I appreciated its distinctive qualities, for it was very different from most other books that I have read.  I liked the mellow mood that was maintained throughout the novel.  The writing embodied the peaceful qualities of Buddhism because it was very melodic and calming.  The vocabulary was not difficult, except there were terms that were specific to Eastern religions that most Americans would not likely understand.  However, there were only a handful of these words so once a reader found their meanings they were no longer a nuisance for the remainder of the book. 

I was not thrilled with this book for several reasons.  The character development was very gradual and I did not enjoy this aspect.  I found it difficult to connect with the characters as a result, and I was not as interested in them as I would have otherwise been.  I also knew a very limited about Buddhism prior to reading this book, and this factor greatly influenced my understanding and enjoyment of the book.

I would recommend Siddhartha to readers who are seeking a unique reading experience.  Readers who need lots of action and suspense in their books are unlikely to enjoy this novel, however those who do not need these things will likely appreciate the relaxed vibe which one feels as they are reading.  A person who is interested in or familiar with Eastern religion would also probably enjoy Siddhartha because the book follows a boy on his path to manhood, and he uses principals from religion throughout his journey.