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I finally finished my first read for the 16 festive tasks! Yea! And even better, I loved it. If it'd been a bit longer I probably would have given it the full five-stars.

Siddhartha is about a man who's searching for enlightenment, or a peaceful existance, and goes on a pilgrimage to find it.

You will, he spoke, go into the forest and be a Samana. When you have found blissfulness in the forest, then come back and teach me to be blissful.

I've always been interested in spirituality, moreso of late, so was naturally inclined towards this book. It's written in a very simple style which works perfectly as a reflection of the simplicity of life that Siddhartha seeks.

Initially Siddhartha plans to find enlightenement in the teachings of others, but quickly finds this unsatisfactory.

...nobody will obtain salvation by means of teachings! You will not be able to convey and say to anybody, oh venerable one, in words and through teachings what has happened to you in the hour of enlightenment

This is very true and something I've recenly discovered for myself; you have to find the answers on your own. Others can guide you, but ultimately it's up to you.

From this point Siddhartha goes off on his own to find peace and dabbles in the life of riches in his quest.

He had been captured by the world, by lust, covetousness, sloth and finally also by that vice which he had used to despise and mock the most of all vices: greed.

He abandons this life and goes to live with a ferryman he'd met at an earlier pont, but does he at last find enlightenment? I'd recommend you read it and find out because it's only roughly 100 pages long and well worth your time.