SIDDHARTHA

Siddhartha was a mid-century revelation to generations of Western students new to Eastern religions. While it no longer brings the shock of the new, Hesse's story of a lifelong seeker of inner peace still has the enduring purity of myth or fable. Siddhartha and his more conventional friend, Govinda, set out on their quest together but take different paths when Govinda chooses to follow an enlightened master, while Siddhartha believes that true wisdom can't be found by following signposts erected by others. The new translation and production here are fine, though Baron Christian's voice gives more pleasure than his pronunciation. B.G. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 02]