In the novel, Siddhartha, a young man, leaves his family for a contemplative life, then, restless, discards it for one of the flesh. He conceives a son, but bored and sickened by lust and greed, moves on again. Near despair, Siddhartha comes to a river where he hears a unique sound. This sound signals the true beginning of his life--the beginning of suffering, rejection, peace and, finally, wisdom.

"Might the fishes devour him, this dog of a Siddhartha, this madman, this corrupted and rotting body, this sluggish and misused soul！ Might the fishes and crocodiles devour him, might the demons tear him to little pieces！

"With a distorted countenance he stared into the water. He saw his face reflected, and spat at it; he took his arm away from the tree trunk and turned a little, so that he could fall headlong and finally go under. He bent, with closed eyes--towards death.

Part One SIDDHARTHA

The Brahmin's Son

With the Samanas

Gotama

Awakening

Part Two Kamala

Amongst the People

Samsara

By the River

The Ferryman

The Son