Hermann Hesse tied my stomach in beautiful knots as I read this book for the first time. As I read it again and again, I never cease to find myself immersed in Siddhartha's journey to enlightenment. If only I had such an exceptional journey! A wanderer throughout most of the narrative, he finds himself in so many positions to learn and teach and eventually discover what had been all along. While I can't admit envy, I can certainly say that if I could place myself in a character's shoes, I'd pick my one and only favorite, Siddhartha.