Siddhartha - Tapa blanda

Siddhartha (first published in 1922) is a novel based on the early life of Buddha, inspired by the author's visit to India before the First World War. The novel is about the young Brahmin Siddhartha's search for self - realization.

Herman Hesse (1877-1962) was one of the great literary figures of the twentieth century.Born in Calw to a protestant family,he rebelled against the classical education that he received in Swabian monastery schools.Hesse began work as a locksmith and a bookseller,and later took to writing as a profession.Settled in Switzerland,he travelled extensively,including India.Politically,Hesse was opposed to German militarism,for which he was condemned by the Nazi government.In recognition of his contribution to literature,he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1946.His other classic works include Der Steppenwolf and The Glass Bead Game.