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Siddhartha audiobook cover art

  • Siddhartha

  • By: Hermann Hesse, Gunther Olesch - translator, Anke Dreher - translator, and others
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  • Length: 4 hrs and 14 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars 219
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    4 out of 5 stars 187
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Versatile actor Chris Hendrie breathes life into this poetical and allegorical novel and leads us on a profound spiritual journey to finding enlightenment. With a deep and compelling humanity, its young hero moves through self-discovery into self-knowledge, and finally into pure joy as he encounters the river of life. Published in 1922, this book has inspired millions worldwide.

  • 5 out of 5 stars

  • Great Narration

  • By Robert Kimball on 09-08-13
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  • Narcissus and Goldmund

  • By: Hermann Hesse
  • Narrated by: Simon Vance
  • Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4.5 out of 5 stars 380
  • Performance
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Narcissus and Goldmund is the story of a passionate yet uneasy friendship between two men of opposite character. Narcissus, an ascetic instructor at a cloister school, has devoted himself solely to scholarly and spiritual pursuits. One of his students is the sensual, restless Goldmund, who is immediately drawn to his teacher's fierce intellect and sense of discipline.

  • 5 out of 5 stars

  • My favorite of Hesse's novels, wonderfully read.

  • By David on 10-21-11
Siddhartha audiobook cover art

  • Siddhartha

  • By: Hermann Hesse, Joachim Neugroschel - translator
  • Narrated by: Firdous Bamji
  • Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4.5 out of 5 stars 1,518
  • Performance
    4.5 out of 5 stars 1,200
  • Story
    4.5 out of 5 stars 1,200

Siddhartha is Nobel Prize-winning author Hermann Hesse's most famous and influential work, a novel of self-exploration that will linger in your mind and spirit for a lifetime. A young man, blessed with loving parents and a safe home in a world where want and neglect abound, leaves this haven in search of himself.

  • 5 out of 5 stars

  • Very Interesting to Listen

  • By Ramanujam on 07-23-08
The Iliad audiobook cover art

  • The Iliad

  • By: Homer, Robert Fagles - translator
  • Narrated by: Derek Jacobi, Maria Tucci
  • Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
  • Abridged
  • Overall
    3.5 out of 5 stars 28
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars 21
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    4 out of 5 stars 21

In this brilliant translation, Robert Fagles brings the vigor of contemporary language to Homer's 2,700-year-old tale. The result, the winner of the 1991 Academy of American Poets Landon Translation Award, is a wonderfully accessible Iliad that preserves every nuance of Homer's genius. The story begins when Paris, son of Priam, King of Troy, carries off the beautiful Helen, thereby precipitating the bitter Trojan War. The Achaean princes attack Troy in order to recover Helen. This great epic poem, attributed to Homer, deals also with the anger of the hero, Achilles....

  • 4 out of 5 stars

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  • By Mandi on 07-30-18
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  • The Swerve

  • How the World Became Modern
  • By: Stephen Greenblatt
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Nearly six hundred years ago, a short, genial, cannily alert man in his late 30s took a very old manuscript off a library shelf, saw with excitement what he had discovered, and ordered that it be copied. That book was the last surviving manuscript of an ancient Roman philosophical epic by Lucretius—a beautiful poem containing the most dangerous ideas: that the universe functioned without the aid of gods, that religious fear was damaging to human life, and that matter was made up of very small particles.

  • 4 out of 5 stars

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  • By Ethan M. on 05-01-12
Great Expectations audiobook cover art

  • Great Expectations

  • By: Charles Dickens
  • Narrated by: Sinead Dixon
  • Length: 19 hrs and 54 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars 3
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars 2
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In what may be Dickens's best novel, humble, orphaned Pip is apprenticed to the dirty work of the forge but dares to dream of becoming a gentleman - and one day, under sudden and enigmatic circumstances, he finds himself in possession of "great expectations." In this gripping tale of crime and guilt, revenge and reward, the compelling characters include Magwitch, the fearful and fearsome convict; Estella, whose beauty is excelled only by her haughtiness; and the embittered Miss Havisham, an eccentric jilted bride

Publisher's Summary

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."
(P)1986 by The Audio Partners Publishing Corp.

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 members say

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Audible.com Reviews
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  • Overall
    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.

23 of 24 people found this review helpful

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

Beautiful

Jacoby's voice is exquisite. Despite being an abridged version, this is absolutely worth the listen. And a re-listen...

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • sawithia
  • PORTLAND, OR, United States
  • 12-04-12

Great story, horid narrater

Would you try another book from Herman Hesse and/or Derek Jacobi?

I like Herman Hesse & will continue to read his books

Who was your favorite character and why?

The wise boat man, he had already walked his path & was, where we all strive to be.

Would you be willing to try another one of Derek Jacobi’s performances?

no

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Consideration of life

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • M
  • hamden, CT, USA
  • 07-25-10

Great Book

I liked the voice of the reader. This is a beautiful book. People with connection to the indian subcontinent would enjoy this completely

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Bryan
  • PROVO, UT, United States
  • 02-14-14

Blown Away. Everything I hope for in a story.

If you could sum up Siddhartha in three words, what would they be?

Life eternal: om.

What did you like best about this story?

The way all things come into One in the end.

The conclusion gave me chills. It is exhilarating, exciting, and peaceful.

The whole story arc of Siddharta is beautiful. I love the concept of listening to the river. I loved the ferry boatman. I loved the art of listening.

What does Derek Jacobi bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Derek Jacobi is the best narrator there is.

His gentle expression, deep understanding, and simple voice make his work stand out among all others.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. Absolutely.

Any additional comments?

One of my new three favorite books of all time, along with Les Miserables and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

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

interesting listen

What did you love best about Siddhartha?

encourages you to think creatively and independently

Would you be willing to try another book from Herman Hesse? Why or why not?

probably not, I get his message

What does Derek Jacobi bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

excellent narration

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

i don't think this would be a good movie

0 of 1 people found this review helpful