Since the inception of the book club, many readers have suggested biographies for the reading list. Book talk discussion leader Carol Campbell and I have always turned down these suggestions, reasoning that since biographies are based on fact, there is little room for interpretation and therefore not much to sustain a group discussion.

But the idea never went away and the first four titles the book club will discuss for 2006 are biographical fiction. This month's book, Hermann Hesse's "Siddhartha," begins the exploration of "Real Lives in Fiction." The Monday Book Club will discuss the book at 6 p.m. on Jan. 30 at Taylor Books.

Hesse's background plays an important part in his writing. Hesse was born in 1877 to devoutly religious parents. His grandparents had worked as missionaries in the Far East and Hesse nurtured a lifelong interest in Oriental religion and literature.

Hesse

Themes of enlightenment and personal reflection are the hallmark of Hesse’s work, and are featured most prominently in "Siddhartha," which was published in 1922.

"Siddhartha" is essentially the story of Gautama Buddha. When the novel begins, Siddhartha is a young aristocrat in ancient India who becomes convinced that the path of his father is perhaps not the way to a meaningful life. He begins his journey toward enlightenment by leaving his community and joining a group of ascetics, who shun all material things.

Eventually he becomes dissatisfied with this way of life and becomes a follower of Gotama the Buddha, but soon begins to doubt that Buddhist teachings will lead him to the life he is seeking. Siddhartha then joins the material world and over many years becomes a successful businessman.

This way of life does not bring him lasting peace either, and he leaves to continue his search for enlightenment, finally residing with a wise ferry man.

Campbell points out that Eastern religions have been a subject of great interest in the Western world for many years, and predicts that the book talk will include a general discussion of readers’ thoughts on the process of finding enlightenment and a meaningful existence.

"Siddhartha" is considered a literary classic, and often appears on college and high school reading lists. Unfortunately, after being awarded the Nobel Prize in 1946, Hesse produced no more major works.

And on a more entirely-from-left-field note: The 1960s and '70s rock group Steppenwolf took its name from a Hermann Hesse novel. Who knew?

To contact Regina C. Davis, use e-mail or call 348-7936.