A classic of twentieth-century fiction, Siddhartha is the story of the spiritual awakening of a man living in India at the time of the Buddha. Born into a wealthy Brahmin family, he leaves his home for the contemplative life, then, restless, discards that life 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 a new understanding of suffering, a growing sense of peace, and, finally, wisdom.