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The Witch of Portobello
How do we find the courage to always be true to ourselves—even if we are unsure of whom we are?
That is the central question of international bestselling author Paulo Coelho's profound new work, The Witch of Portobello. It is the story of a mysterious woman named Athena, told by the many who knew her well—or hardly at all.
That is the central question of international bestselling author Paulo Coelho's profound new work, The Witch of Portobello. It is the story of a mysterious woman named Athena, told by the many who knew her well—or hardly at all.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2006
About the author
Paulo Coelho
279 books135k followersThe Brazilian author PAULO COELHO was born in 1947 in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Before dedicating his life completely to literature, he worked as theatre director and actor, lyricist and journalist. In 1986, PAULO COELHO did the pilgrimage to Saint James of Compostella, an experience later to be documented in his book The Pilgrimage. In the following year, COELHO published The Alchemist. Slow initial sales convinced his first publisher to drop the novel, but it went on to become one of the best selling Brazilian books of all time. Other titles include Brida (1990), The Valkyries (1992), By the river Piedra I sat Down and Wept (1994), the collection of his best columns published in the Brazilian newspaper Folha de São Paulo entitle Maktub (1994), the compilation of texts Phrases (1995), The Fifth Mountain (1996), Manual of a Warrior of Light (1997), Veronika decides to die (1998), The Devil and Miss Prym (2000), the compilation of traditional tales in Stories for parents, children and grandchildren (2001), Eleven Minutes (2003), The Zahir (2005), The Witch of Portobello (2006) and Winner Stands Alone (to be released in 2009). During the months of March, April, May and June 2006, Paulo Coelho traveled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his pilgrimage to Saint James of Compostella in 1986. He also held surprise book signings - announced one day in advance - in some cities along the way, to have a chance to meet his readers. In ninety days of pilgrimage the author traveled around the globe and took the famous Transiberrian train that took him to Vladivostok. During this experience Paulo Coelho launched his blog Walking the Path - The Pilgrimage in order to share with his readers his impressions. Since this first blog Paulo Coelho has expanded his presence in the internet with his daily blogs in Wordpress, Myspace & Facebook. He is equally present in media sharing sites such as Youtube and Flickr, offering on a regular basis not only texts but also videos and pictures to his readers. From this intensive interest and use of the Internet sprang his bold new project: The Experimental Witch where he invites his readers to adapt to the screen his book The Witch of Portobello. Indeed Paulo Coelho is a firm believer of Internet as a new media and is the first Best-selling author to actively support online free distribution of his work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,484 reviews
November 2, 2021
This book *really* made me think about who I am and where I am going, and who I want to be as a woman, a wife, a soon-to-be-mother, a daughter, and a human.
I didn't always like Paulo Coelho's work. I tried to read The Alchemist in college and the novel just didn't do it for me. But a friend recommended Veronika Decides to Die to me while a loved one was in the hospital for depression and I was struggling to understand what might be happening in there, and ever since, Coelho has been one of my obsessions.
When I picked up The Witch of Portobello, I didn't know quite what to expect. The synopsis said "How do we find the courage to always be true to ourselves—even if we are unsure of whom we are? That is the central question of international bestselling author Paulo Coehlo's profound new work..."
"Oh. Profound," said the skeptic in me. "We'll just see about that."
But all I know is this...the protagonist of the book, Athena, follows a winding path to enlightenment in the form of a female deity. And along the way she struggles to transcend society's expectations of her. The book is about the power that everyone has to find their own spirituality and fight against the norm. And in spite of myself, the novel made me feel able to make my own decisions, both practical and spiritual.
Coelho uses a number of narrators to flesh out Athena's story, and these differing perspectives add a real depth to the story line. As a reader, you like some narrators and dislike others, which gives you the ability to take what you like from each and leave the rest, creating your own picture of Athena as you go.
This is a book to be read slowly and with a great deal of self-reflection. It's not a breezy beach vacation read, but it's worth the work. It's a book about soul, so get ready to grapple with your own.
I didn't always like Paulo Coelho's work. I tried to read The Alchemist in college and the novel just didn't do it for me. But a friend recommended Veronika Decides to Die to me while a loved one was in the hospital for depression and I was struggling to understand what might be happening in there, and ever since, Coelho has been one of my obsessions.
When I picked up The Witch of Portobello, I didn't know quite what to expect. The synopsis said "How do we find the courage to always be true to ourselves—even if we are unsure of whom we are? That is the central question of international bestselling author Paulo Coehlo's profound new work..."
"Oh. Profound," said the skeptic in me. "We'll just see about that."
But all I know is this...the protagonist of the book, Athena, follows a winding path to enlightenment in the form of a female deity. And along the way she struggles to transcend society's expectations of her. The book is about the power that everyone has to find their own spirituality and fight against the norm. And in spite of myself, the novel made me feel able to make my own decisions, both practical and spiritual.
Coelho uses a number of narrators to flesh out Athena's story, and these differing perspectives add a real depth to the story line. As a reader, you like some narrators and dislike others, which gives you the ability to take what you like from each and leave the rest, creating your own picture of Athena as you go.
This is a book to be read slowly and with a great deal of self-reflection. It's not a breezy beach vacation read, but it's worth the work. It's a book about soul, so get ready to grapple with your own.
March 11, 2008
I always wished that Paulo Coehlo was my uncle so that I could call him ‘Papa Coelho’ and sit at his knee while he smoked his pipe. I think that he would be delightfully eccentric, and given to saying things like ‘Suffering, if confronted without fear, is the great passport to freedom.’ So, true, Papa Coelho. So true.
If he was my uncle, though, I might not tell him that I thought The Alchemist was tripe, and that most of his books carry too much philosophizing and not enough narrative. But in The Witch of Portobello, he achieves what others have tried so hard to do and failed so miserably at (I’m looking at you, Marilynne Robinson). There was such a fine balance between story and lesson that I was never bored by the one nor overwhelmed by the other.
The narrator of the story tells us right off that he’s not going to try to write a straight-up biography, but that in the interests of objectivity (of a sort), he’s just going to put down verbatim the interviews he conducted on the subject of the alleged ‘witch.’ From the journalist who fell in love with her to the woman who felt betrayed by her, from birth mother to adoptive mother, from teacher to student, are all given a chance to tell how Athena, born Sherine and sometimes called Hagia Sofia, messed them over. Each one recounts how she waltzed into their lives with that restless spirit and those grey eyes, and began throwing around the carefully-arranged furniture (metaphorically speaking). And then she died.
Even though I kind of rolled my eyes for the first few pages and though, ‘Damn, another one of these,’ and even though nothing really happened in the way of a plot (Athena travelled here, learned this lesson in this way, travelled there, learned that lesson), I found myself sucked in. I would be on the Stairmaster, book in hand, and look down to realize that I’d climbed twenty floors without noticing. There was something strangely compelling about Athena, and being told her story from everyone’s perspective but hers made her into this mysterious goddess figure, a myth that she simultaneously upheld and debunked at every turn.
I’m usually very much not in to books that try to refine my soul (it has been suggested that this is because I lack said soul), particularly because the message usually gets in the way of the medium. But somehow with this book I found myself yelling, ‘Yes! Yes! I will dance against the rhythm, dammit!’ and casting off the shackles of this dark world (ok, really I just tapped my finger against my lip, murmured, ‘Interesting,’ and promised myself I’d think more deeply about it later, but you get the gist).
In short, though the dialogue stumbled at times and each of the narrators spoke with pretty much the same voice, this book was a pleasure to read…which means I didn’t suffer…which means I don’t have my passport to freedom! Oh, Papa Coelho, if only you were here now. I’m so confused.
If he was my uncle, though, I might not tell him that I thought The Alchemist was tripe, and that most of his books carry too much philosophizing and not enough narrative. But in The Witch of Portobello, he achieves what others have tried so hard to do and failed so miserably at (I’m looking at you, Marilynne Robinson). There was such a fine balance between story and lesson that I was never bored by the one nor overwhelmed by the other.
The narrator of the story tells us right off that he’s not going to try to write a straight-up biography, but that in the interests of objectivity (of a sort), he’s just going to put down verbatim the interviews he conducted on the subject of the alleged ‘witch.’ From the journalist who fell in love with her to the woman who felt betrayed by her, from birth mother to adoptive mother, from teacher to student, are all given a chance to tell how Athena, born Sherine and sometimes called Hagia Sofia, messed them over. Each one recounts how she waltzed into their lives with that restless spirit and those grey eyes, and began throwing around the carefully-arranged furniture (metaphorically speaking). And then she died.
Even though I kind of rolled my eyes for the first few pages and though, ‘Damn, another one of these,’ and even though nothing really happened in the way of a plot (Athena travelled here, learned this lesson in this way, travelled there, learned that lesson), I found myself sucked in. I would be on the Stairmaster, book in hand, and look down to realize that I’d climbed twenty floors without noticing. There was something strangely compelling about Athena, and being told her story from everyone’s perspective but hers made her into this mysterious goddess figure, a myth that she simultaneously upheld and debunked at every turn.
I’m usually very much not in to books that try to refine my soul (it has been suggested that this is because I lack said soul), particularly because the message usually gets in the way of the medium. But somehow with this book I found myself yelling, ‘Yes! Yes! I will dance against the rhythm, dammit!’ and casting off the shackles of this dark world (ok, really I just tapped my finger against my lip, murmured, ‘Interesting,’ and promised myself I’d think more deeply about it later, but you get the gist).
In short, though the dialogue stumbled at times and each of the narrators spoke with pretty much the same voice, this book was a pleasure to read…which means I didn’t suffer…which means I don’t have my passport to freedom! Oh, Papa Coelho, if only you were here now. I’m so confused.
January 28, 2021
ونجح باولو كويلو في أن يجعلني أعطي نجمة واحدة لكتاب يمجد قداسة الأنثى
-_-
الرواية واحدة من أكثر الكتب التي قرأتها إملالا وسخافة
بغض النظر عن التنمية البشرية التي تنضح بها الرواية
والتي هي عادة أصيلة عند كويلو
فالرواية كبناء ضعيفة
ورسم شخصياتها لم يكن على القدر المتوقع منه خاصة من كاتب رواية احدى عشر دقيقة
وفوق كل ذلك الرواية لم تأتِ بجديد
فلا متعة في الحكاية ولا في الفلسفة
وليست هناك قيمة من أي نوع
فقط غثاء وقرقرة ودس ألف نصيحة سيريالية لا معنى لها
وأخيرا روحانية كويلو تثير الغيظ
فعالمه ليس له وجود على ارض الواقع
بل هو فقط في رأسه
ولا أظنه يريح أحدا سواه
May 29, 2021
A Bruxa de Portobello = The witch of portobello, Paulo Coelho
The Witch of Portobello is a fiction work by Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho published in 2007, about a woman born in Transylvania to a Romani mother in a gypsy tribe without wedlock.
The central character is abandoned by her birth mother because the father was a foreigner (gadje) and later adopted by a wealthy Lebanese couple.
عنوانهای چاپ شده در ایران: «ساحره پورتوبلو»؛ «ساحره ی پورتوبلو»؛ «جادوگر پورتوبلو»؛ تاریخ نخستین خوانش روز نخست ماه ژوئن سال 2008میلادی
عنوان: ساحره ی پورتوبلو؛ نویسنده: پائولو کوئیلو؛ مترجم: آرش حجازی؛ تهران، کاروان، چاپ اول تا سوم 1386؛ در 295ص؛ شابک 9789648497946؛ چاپ چهارم تام ششم 1387؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان برزیلی - سده ی 21م
عنوان: ساحره پورتوبلو؛ نویسنده: پائولو کوئیلو؛ مترجم: مسیحا برزگر؛ تهران، آسیم، 1386؛ در شانزده و 260ص؛ شابک 9789644183898؛ چاپ دیگر تهران، ذهن آویز، 1387؛ در چهارده و 260ص؛ شابک 9786005219135؛
عنوان: ساحره ی پورتوبلو؛ نویسنده: پائولو کوئیلو؛ مترجم: سینا زیدی؛ تهران، افراز، 1388؛ در 302ص؛ شابک 9789642837410؛
عنوان: ساحره پورتوبلو؛ نویسنده: پائولو کوئیلو؛ مترجم: میترا میرشکار؛ تهران، پر، کوشش، 1388، در 340ص؛ شابک 9789648007241؛ چاپ دیگر تهران، نوین، 1392، شابک 9789646325456؛
عنوان: جادوگر پورتوبلو؛ نویسنده: پائولو کوئیلو؛ مترجم سوسن اردکانی؛ تهران، نگارستان کتاب، 1388، در 419ص؛ شابک 9786005541243؛
یتیمی که مادرش او را در «ترانسیلوانی» سر راه گذاشت، کودکی که زن و شوهری «لبنانی» او را به فرزندی پذیرفتند، «آتنا» ازدواج میکند، بچه دار میشود، از شوهر جدا میشود، حالا که مادر شده، مدام به زنی میاندیشد که او را زاد، برای کشف این راز در «رومانی»، به میان کولیها میرود؛
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 07/03/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
The Witch of Portobello is a fiction work by Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho published in 2007, about a woman born in Transylvania to a Romani mother in a gypsy tribe without wedlock.
The central character is abandoned by her birth mother because the father was a foreigner (gadje) and later adopted by a wealthy Lebanese couple.
عنوانهای چاپ شده در ایران: «ساحره پورتوبلو»؛ «ساحره ی پورتوبلو»؛ «جادوگر پورتوبلو»؛ تاریخ نخستین خوانش روز نخست ماه ژوئن سال 2008میلادی
عنوان: ساحره ی پورتوبلو؛ نویسنده: پائولو کوئیلو؛ مترجم: آرش حجازی؛ تهران، کاروان، چاپ اول تا سوم 1386؛ در 295ص؛ شابک 9789648497946؛ چاپ چهارم تام ششم 1387؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان برزیلی - سده ی 21م
عنوان: ساحره پورتوبلو؛ نویسنده: پائولو کوئیلو؛ مترجم: مسیحا برزگر؛ تهران، آسیم، 1386؛ در شانزده و 260ص؛ شابک 9789644183898؛ چاپ دیگر تهران، ذهن آویز، 1387؛ در چهارده و 260ص؛ شابک 9786005219135؛
عنوان: ساحره ی پورتوبلو؛ نویسنده: پائولو کوئیلو؛ مترجم: سینا زیدی؛ تهران، افراز، 1388؛ در 302ص؛ شابک 9789642837410؛
عنوان: ساحره پورتوبلو؛ نویسنده: پائولو کوئیلو؛ مترجم: میترا میرشکار؛ تهران، پر، کوشش، 1388، در 340ص؛ شابک 9789648007241؛ چاپ دیگر تهران، نوین، 1392، شابک 9789646325456؛
عنوان: جادوگر پورتوبلو؛ نویسنده: پائولو کوئیلو؛ مترجم سوسن اردکانی؛ تهران، نگارستان کتاب، 1388، در 419ص؛ شابک 9786005541243؛
یتیمی که مادرش او را در «ترانسیلوانی» سر راه گذاشت، کودکی که زن و شوهری «لبنانی» او را به فرزندی پذیرفتند، «آتنا» ازدواج میکند، بچه دار میشود، از شوهر جدا میشود، حالا که مادر شده، مدام به زنی میاندیشد که او را زاد، برای کشف این راز در «رومانی»، به میان کولیها میرود؛
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 07/03/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
August 9, 2012
Trapped for hours in an airport with nothing to read, my wife was further victimized by this remarkably bad book, one of five books available for sale in Portland International Airport at 2am.
You can turn to any page and find a really hackneyed phrase. Kahil Gibrain's psuedo-religious drivel was at least poetic and brief by comparison. The story is supposed to be the voices of different people, but the Catholic priest, the Lebanese mother, the 65-year old restaurant owner, are all utterly indistinct.
It's a platform for his blah-blah-blah philosophizing about Joy is this, Love is that, do these five things to live well, etc. Maybe there's some good advice in here, but you'd need to be awake to absorb it. Anybody could smoke dope near a tape recorder and write something this deep. Even this review has taken more of your time than this book deserves.
You can turn to any page and find a really hackneyed phrase. Kahil Gibrain's psuedo-religious drivel was at least poetic and brief by comparison. The story is supposed to be the voices of different people, but the Catholic priest, the Lebanese mother, the 65-year old restaurant owner, are all utterly indistinct.
It's a platform for his blah-blah-blah philosophizing about Joy is this, Love is that, do these five things to live well, etc. Maybe there's some good advice in here, but you'd need to be awake to absorb it. Anybody could smoke dope near a tape recorder and write something this deep. Even this review has taken more of your time than this book deserves.
January 3, 2009
Preachy new age-y bullshit, with a distinct undertone of "I'm idealizing feminine qualities, so I can't possibly be sexist" sexism. Seriously, one of his characters lists four female archetypes that women supposedly follow, and although he calls them the witch, the virgin, the martyr and the saint, it's just that quote about how all roles for actresses are hookers, victims or doormats, with "bitch" thrown in for variety. The use of various narrators is one of my favorite narrative devices, but it just falls flat in this; the "voices" don't feel at all different. The "reveal" at the end was only surprising because it was dumb and unnecessary. None of the characters felt particularly developed. Oh, and the editor's notes just insulted my intelligence. If you refer to Dracula being the work of an Irishman who never visited Transylvania, I get that it's Bram Stoker without being told, thanks. And, if you reference Maronite Christians, but it doesn't add a damn thing to your story, you don't have to interrupt a thought to tell me what their sect believes. I could rant on like this for awhile, but basically, this is a preachy non-story that insults its readers intelligence. I left it on a plane with angry notes scrawled in the margins.
Not a great start to a new year of reading, but at least there's no where to go but up.
Not a great start to a new year of reading, but at least there's no where to go but up.
January 30, 2018
What a load of crap, this..!!!
I had long since wanted to try a Paulo Coelho book and I picked this on impulse.
Man, I've never been soo damn wrong in my life.
Half way through it, I was getting HEADSPINS...!!! Being stubborn as I am, somehow managed to get through it and was left utterly dismayed and with a very bad taste in my mouth.
HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE..!!
The author literally CHOKES you on his idea of spirituality and self awareness.
WORST READ EVER..!!!!!!!
I had long since wanted to try a Paulo Coelho book and I picked this on impulse.
Man, I've never been soo damn wrong in my life.
Half way through it, I was getting HEADSPINS...!!! Being stubborn as I am, somehow managed to get through it and was left utterly dismayed and with a very bad taste in my mouth.
HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE..!!
The author literally CHOKES you on his idea of spirituality and self awareness.
WORST READ EVER..!!!!!!!
March 31, 2008
This is not a novel -- it's a treatise. There is a character, Athena, that I never come to care about, and there is no plot. What IS there, you ask? Well, there's an explication of a belief system. That's it. That's what this is.
Most of the book is taken up in various people talking to each other in the kind of philosophical conversations that normal people almost never have. Whenever you see a chat starting, buckle up.
I couldn't have been more disappointed, as I like Coelho most of the time. I just don't like being the object of preaching.
Most of the book is taken up in various people talking to each other in the kind of philosophical conversations that normal people almost never have. Whenever you see a chat starting, buckle up.
I couldn't have been more disappointed, as I like Coelho most of the time. I just don't like being the object of preaching.
February 2, 2019
أثينا الغجرية اليتيمة تائهة الروح .. امرأة من القرن الثاني والعشرين تحيا في القرن الحادي والعشرين من دون أن تتستر علي هذا الواقع فدفعت الثمن غالي ولكن مقابل إيجاد الحقيقة ... عاشت حياتها تبحث عن الإجابة ، تبحث عن الراحة عن الرضا ... فقد سرقت قلوب البعض وأسرت عقولهم لتجعلهم عبيدا لأفكارها لعنادها وروحها الغجرية مثيرة الجدل بأفكارها الغريبة ... لا تبالي بنوع العلاقة الناشئة بينها وبين أي شخص ما دام يخدم رحلة بحثها عن الطبيعة الأم عن الحقيقة الخطرة الكامنة في النفس البشرية ...
يبدع الكويلو في تقديم نوع منفرد من الرواية فقد نسج خيوط شخصية أثينا من خلال إفادات الأشخاص في حياتها لتعيش بداخل غرفة تحقيق تراقب المتحدث وهو يعطي رأيه عن أثينا وغموضها وتجد نفسك في حيرة من أمرك عن أثينا و هويتها مرتبكا من تداخل الأوصاف مسؤولا عن رسم الشخصية كاملة في خيالك ...
" لكنها كانت لتدفع ثمنا أغلي لو أنها قمعت نفسها الأثيرة الحقيقية ، كانت لتشعر بالمرارة والإحباط ، بالقلق علي الدوام لما قد يظنه الآخرون والقول سوف أحلّ هذا وذاك اولاً ثم سأكرس نفسي لحلمي والتذمر أن الظروف لا تكون ملائمة أبداً "
" أدركت أن الأشياء لا تكون مطلقة أبداً ، هي وقف علي مدارك كل فرد . والطريقة الفضلي لمعرفة من نحن ، تكون في الغالب باكتشاف نظرة الآخرين إلينا . لا يعني هذا أن نفعل ما يتوقع الغير منا فعله ، لكنه يساعدنا علي فهم أنفسنا أفضل "
"طريقان مفترقان في غابة ، وأنا ، أنا اخترت الطريق التي عبرتها قلة ... وهذا ما شكّل كل الفارق "
" تعلمت أن أتعذب في صمت طوال حياتي "
" لقد هذبت جسدي بحيث يظهر كل إحساس في روحي "
" جمعت الشبق مع العفة ، الإباحية مع التجلي ، عبادة الله مع الطبيعة ، كلها في آن "
" النور غير ثابت ، الريح تلفحه في مهبّها ، البرق يجعله متوهجاً . هو ببساطة غير موجود ، يسطع مثل الشمس لكنه جدير بالكفاح "
" لماذا لا أبحث عن السعادة وقد علّمني الجميع أن السعادة هي الهدف الوحيد الجدير بأن نصبو إليه ؟ لماذا أسعي إلي المجازفة في اتباع طريق لم يتّبعها آخر ؟ .. في النهاية ، ما السعادة ؟؟ ... قضيت ردحاً من حياتي بحثاً عن السعادة . الآن ما أريده هو الفرح "
" قد تكون السعادة في الشعور بالرضي إزاء كل ما كان لها :حبيب ، ابن ، وظيفة ، و أثينا ، علي شاكلتي ، لم تولد لتحيا هذا النمط من الحياة "
"الجماعات تتحدانا . الجماعات تسمح لنا باختيار انجذابتنا . الجماعات تُوجِد الطاقة الجماعية . ويحصل حينها الانتشاء بسهولة أكبر لأن الجميع ينقلون العدوي للجميع "
" .... ربما جئت في وقت مبكرجدا ، والناس ليسوا مستعدين بعد "
استمتعوا ...
دمتم قراء ❤❤❤
يبدع الكويلو في تقديم نوع منفرد من الرواية فقد نسج خيوط شخصية أثينا من خلال إفادات الأشخاص في حياتها لتعيش بداخل غرفة تحقيق تراقب المتحدث وهو يعطي رأيه عن أثينا وغموضها وتجد نفسك في حيرة من أمرك عن أثينا و هويتها مرتبكا من تداخل الأوصاف مسؤولا عن رسم الشخصية كاملة في خيالك ...
" لكنها كانت لتدفع ثمنا أغلي لو أنها قمعت نفسها الأثيرة الحقيقية ، كانت لتشعر بالمرارة والإحباط ، بالقلق علي الدوام لما قد يظنه الآخرون والقول سوف أحلّ هذا وذاك اولاً ثم سأكرس نفسي لحلمي والتذمر أن الظروف لا تكون ملائمة أبداً "
" أدركت أن الأشياء لا تكون مطلقة أبداً ، هي وقف علي مدارك كل فرد . والطريقة الفضلي لمعرفة من نحن ، تكون في الغالب باكتشاف نظرة الآخرين إلينا . لا يعني هذا أن نفعل ما يتوقع الغير منا فعله ، لكنه يساعدنا علي فهم أنفسنا أفضل "
"طريقان مفترقان في غابة ، وأنا ، أنا اخترت الطريق التي عبرتها قلة ... وهذا ما شكّل كل الفارق "
" تعلمت أن أتعذب في صمت طوال حياتي "
" لقد هذبت جسدي بحيث يظهر كل إحساس في روحي "
" جمعت الشبق مع العفة ، الإباحية مع التجلي ، عبادة الله مع الطبيعة ، كلها في آن "
" النور غير ثابت ، الريح تلفحه في مهبّها ، البرق يجعله متوهجاً . هو ببساطة غير موجود ، يسطع مثل الشمس لكنه جدير بالكفاح "
" لماذا لا أبحث عن السعادة وقد علّمني الجميع أن السعادة هي الهدف الوحيد الجدير بأن نصبو إليه ؟ لماذا أسعي إلي المجازفة في اتباع طريق لم يتّبعها آخر ؟ .. في النهاية ، ما السعادة ؟؟ ... قضيت ردحاً من حياتي بحثاً عن السعادة . الآن ما أريده هو الفرح "
" قد تكون السعادة في الشعور بالرضي إزاء كل ما كان لها :حبيب ، ابن ، وظيفة ، و أثينا ، علي شاكلتي ، لم تولد لتحيا هذا النمط من الحياة "
"الجماعات تتحدانا . الجماعات تسمح لنا باختيار انجذابتنا . الجماعات تُوجِد الطاقة الجماعية . ويحصل حينها الانتشاء بسهولة أكبر لأن الجميع ينقلون العدوي للجميع "
" .... ربما جئت في وقت مبكرجدا ، والناس ليسوا مستعدين بعد "
استمتعوا ...
دمتم قراء ❤❤❤
August 26, 2008
spiritual, mystical, and will absolutely take over your soul!
while reading this book, i felt inhibited by every feeling and gesture, and was possessed by Athena, the woman who is everything each and everyone of us want to be, but is afraid of becoming. The book certainly questions organized religions and brings back the idea of mother earth as the ultimate goddess. I have to, no, i MUST, type up this quote:
" We women, when we are searching for a meaning to our lives or for the path of knowledge, always identify with one of four classic archtypes:
"The Virgin (and I am not speaking her of the sexual virgin) is the one whose search springs from from her complete independence, and everyghing she learns is the fruite of her ability to face challenges alone.
"The Martyr finde her way to self-knowledge through pain, surrender, and suffering.
"The Saint finds her true reason for living in unconditional love and in her ability to give without asking anything in return.
"Finally, the Witch justifies her existance by going in search of complete and limitless pleasure."
So, which one are you??
while reading this book, i felt inhibited by every feeling and gesture, and was possessed by Athena, the woman who is everything each and everyone of us want to be, but is afraid of becoming. The book certainly questions organized religions and brings back the idea of mother earth as the ultimate goddess. I have to, no, i MUST, type up this quote:
" We women, when we are searching for a meaning to our lives or for the path of knowledge, always identify with one of four classic archtypes:
"The Virgin (and I am not speaking her of the sexual virgin) is the one whose search springs from from her complete independence, and everyghing she learns is the fruite of her ability to face challenges alone.
"The Martyr finde her way to self-knowledge through pain, surrender, and suffering.
"The Saint finds her true reason for living in unconditional love and in her ability to give without asking anything in return.
"Finally, the Witch justifies her existance by going in search of complete and limitless pleasure."
So, which one are you??
January 16, 2009
I literally could not put this book down. While I'm a book lover and devour many books, I consider this one to be a very special treat.
February 19, 2019
What in the name of the holy Lord was this? Paulo Coelho is a celebrated author, but The Witch of Portobello totally missed the home run in my opinion.
Now, before you come at me with all the swords and daggers drawn, I do agree that the novel tried to convey a beautiful message. I got the 'message' part, but where was the 'conveying' part? Either that, or I just didn't get the way the author used to drive his point home. Either way, the book ended up being a disappointment in my view. With high hopes, I did read it till the end, but to no avail.
Verdict: Skip this one.
Now, before you come at me with all the swords and daggers drawn, I do agree that the novel tried to convey a beautiful message. I got the 'message' part, but where was the 'conveying' part? Either that, or I just didn't get the way the author used to drive his point home. Either way, the book ended up being a disappointment in my view. With high hopes, I did read it till the end, but to no avail.
Verdict: Skip this one.
February 20, 2014
تتناول الرواية موضوعاً مشوقاً بالنسبة إلي , ألا وهو عبادة الطبيعة الأم ! .. قبل أن أتحدث عن رأيي بالرواية ومضمونها , دعوني أكلمكم قليلاً عن عبادة الطبيعة ..
هذا كان يا مكان وفي غابر الأزمان وقبل ظهور ما يسمى بالديانات السماوية كان هناك مفهوماً لدى غالبية البشر - تحول إلى عبادة فيما بعد - على أن الطبيعة تمنحنا الكثير وتخبرنا بأسرارها كل يوم .. كان القدماء يرون الجمال ويقدرونه حد العبادة .. ومن يمثل الجمال إلى جانب الطبيعة غير " الأنثى " ؟ لذلك ظهرت أفروديت عند الرومان وفينوس عند الإغريق .. عشتار في بلاد الرافدين وإيزيس في مصر .. كان الإله إذاً عند القدماء يتجلى بطابع أنثوي .. لذلك كان الجمال هو المعيار .. وبما أنّ الطبيعة قادرة على العطاء وكذا الأنثى قادرة على الخلق , صارت الطبيعة والأنثى وجهان للخصب والخير والجمال .. صار الجنس مقدس والمجتمعات أمومية بحتة .. كانت الأنثى في تلك الحقبة التاريخية في قمة مجدها الأسطوري عند البشرية جمعاء .. هكذااا إلى أن ظهر أول دين سماوي ! .. اليهودية على وجه التحديد .. عندها بدأ الإله يتخذ طابعاً مغايراً تماماً للسائد .. صار يميل إلى صفات ذكورية بحتة إن شئنا الدقة ( كالحكمة والقوة والسيطرة والصرامة ) .. صار هناك شرائع وقوانين تحدد تصرفات البشر وأصبح الجنس دنساً مالم يكن محدداً بقانون حتى ولو كان بوجود حب .. الأنثى انقلب دورها تماماً .. فمن ربة للجمال وعشيقة وملهمة أصبحت في ظل الأديان السماوية ( وهذا ليس رأيي ولا يوجد تدخل عاطفي هنا ) مصدراً محتملاً للشرور والشهوات والفتنة والضياع عن الطريق القويم .. حُددت أدوار الأنثى بصرامة وصارت الطبيعة مجرد وسيلة للبشر للعيش على سطح الأرض بعد طردهم من فردوسهم السماوي المفقود ..
الكلام السابق يمكنكم اعتباره أكاديمياً وليس رأياً شخصياً أبداً .. افتحوا أي كتاب أنتروبولوجي يتحدث عن العقائد البائدة لتفهموا ما أعنيه .. المهم .. لأتحدث عن الرواية الآن .. إحم إحم :
الرواية عن فتاة ذات أصل غجري متبناة من قبل أبوين لبنانيين .. عاشت في لبنان بعيداً جداً عن رومانيا مسقط رأسها .. كانت الفتاة مسيحية مخلصة وروحانية جداً هكذا إلى أن منعوها من المناولة في الكنيسة عندما كانت في العشرين لأنها كانت "مطلقة "! .. عندها لعنت الكاهن والكنيسة وكل شيء واتخذت حياتها الخاصة .. أثينا الأنثى النابضة بالحياة كانت على صلة مع الطبيعة منذ طفولتها .. صارت بعدها تتلقى رسائل منها عبر الرقص ! .. كم تمنيت أن أرسم مشهد أ��ينا وهي ترقص وترقص في الصحراء وفي الحانة وفي شقتها .. أعتقد أن أثينا برقصتها هذه تفوق مشهد رقص زوربا جمالاً ! .. اتخذت أثينا مسلكها في الحياة وعبّرت الغجرية في داخلها عن نفسها لتصبح معبودة وعابدة للطبيعة في آن .. لن أتكلم أكثر .. الرواية رائعة ومليئة بالفلسفات التي تجعلك تحلق وتحلق .. أثينا تلك الغجرية الأنثى .. كم كانت مهيأة للدور التي لعبته !
أسلوب الرواية كان رائعاً ( أحب الروايات التي تروى من عدة أطراف ) .. خسرت الرواية نجمة بسبب نهايتها التي حطت من قيمتها وجعلتها في مصاف الروايات البوليسية ذات " القفلة " المفاجئة .. أثينا كان يجب أن تموت .. كما ماتت من قبل فينوس وأفروديت وعشتار .. أن تموت وهي ترقص .. ترقص كما يليق بالأنثى الغجرية الجميلة أن ترقص .. !
مع أنّي لست من قرّاء كويلو ولا من المعجبين "برائعته " الخيميائي كما يحبون أن يسمونها .. إلّا أنّي انبهرت بروايته هذه حقاً ..
هذا كان يا مكان وفي غابر الأزمان وقبل ظهور ما يسمى بالديانات السماوية كان هناك مفهوماً لدى غالبية البشر - تحول إلى عبادة فيما بعد - على أن الطبيعة تمنحنا الكثير وتخبرنا بأسرارها كل يوم .. كان القدماء يرون الجمال ويقدرونه حد العبادة .. ومن يمثل الجمال إلى جانب الطبيعة غير " الأنثى " ؟ لذلك ظهرت أفروديت عند الرومان وفينوس عند الإغريق .. عشتار في بلاد الرافدين وإيزيس في مصر .. كان الإله إذاً عند القدماء يتجلى بطابع أنثوي .. لذلك كان الجمال هو المعيار .. وبما أنّ الطبيعة قادرة على العطاء وكذا الأنثى قادرة على الخلق , صارت الطبيعة والأنثى وجهان للخصب والخير والجمال .. صار الجنس مقدس والمجتمعات أمومية بحتة .. كانت الأنثى في تلك الحقبة التاريخية في قمة مجدها الأسطوري عند البشرية جمعاء .. هكذااا إلى أن ظهر أول دين سماوي ! .. اليهودية على وجه التحديد .. عندها بدأ الإله يتخذ طابعاً مغايراً تماماً للسائد .. صار يميل إلى صفات ذكورية بحتة إن شئنا الدقة ( كالحكمة والقوة والسيطرة والصرامة ) .. صار هناك شرائع وقوانين تحدد تصرفات البشر وأصبح الجنس دنساً مالم يكن محدداً بقانون حتى ولو كان بوجود حب .. الأنثى انقلب دورها تماماً .. فمن ربة للجمال وعشيقة وملهمة أصبحت في ظل الأديان السماوية ( وهذا ليس رأيي ولا يوجد تدخل عاطفي هنا ) مصدراً محتملاً للشرور والشهوات والفتنة والضياع عن الطريق القويم .. حُددت أدوار الأنثى بصرامة وصارت الطبيعة مجرد وسيلة للبشر للعيش على سطح الأرض بعد طردهم من فردوسهم السماوي المفقود ..
الكلام السابق يمكنكم اعتباره أكاديمياً وليس رأياً شخصياً أبداً .. افتحوا أي كتاب أنتروبولوجي يتحدث عن العقائد البائدة لتفهموا ما أعنيه .. المهم .. لأتحدث عن الرواية الآن .. إحم إحم :
الرواية عن فتاة ذات أصل غجري متبناة من قبل أبوين لبنانيين .. عاشت في لبنان بعيداً جداً عن رومانيا مسقط رأسها .. كانت الفتاة مسيحية مخلصة وروحانية جداً هكذا إلى أن منعوها من المناولة في الكنيسة عندما كانت في العشرين لأنها كانت "مطلقة "! .. عندها لعنت الكاهن والكنيسة وكل شيء واتخذت حياتها الخاصة .. أثينا الأنثى النابضة بالحياة كانت على صلة مع الطبيعة منذ طفولتها .. صارت بعدها تتلقى رسائل منها عبر الرقص ! .. كم تمنيت أن أرسم مشهد أ��ينا وهي ترقص وترقص في الصحراء وفي الحانة وفي شقتها .. أعتقد أن أثينا برقصتها هذه تفوق مشهد رقص زوربا جمالاً ! .. اتخذت أثينا مسلكها في الحياة وعبّرت الغجرية في داخلها عن نفسها لتصبح معبودة وعابدة للطبيعة في آن .. لن أتكلم أكثر .. الرواية رائعة ومليئة بالفلسفات التي تجعلك تحلق وتحلق .. أثينا تلك الغجرية الأنثى .. كم كانت مهيأة للدور التي لعبته !
أسلوب الرواية كان رائعاً ( أحب الروايات التي تروى من عدة أطراف ) .. خسرت الرواية نجمة بسبب نهايتها التي حطت من قيمتها وجعلتها في مصاف الروايات البوليسية ذات " القفلة " المفاجئة .. أثينا كان يجب أن تموت .. كما ماتت من قبل فينوس وأفروديت وعشتار .. أن تموت وهي ترقص .. ترقص كما يليق بالأنثى الغجرية الجميلة أن ترقص .. !
مع أنّي لست من قرّاء كويلو ولا من المعجبين "برائعته " الخيميائي كما يحبون أن يسمونها .. إلّا أنّي انبهرت بروايته هذه حقاً ..
August 18, 2016
‘The Witch of Portobello’ by Paulo Coelho is not a straight biographical book or the opinion of the writer on its main protagonists. It’s what the other people transcribe the writer about the women, the Witch of Portobello.
“No one lights a lamp in order to hide it behind the door……..No one sacrifices the most important thing she possesses: love. No one places her dreams in the hands of those who might destroy them. No one, that is, but Athena.”
It’s the story of Athena, or Sherine Khalil, who was always ready to walk out of the door from the comfort zone and confront the winds, the thunder and the lightning that life can bring, again and again, all by her own choice.
According to the writer, there are four classic archetypes of women who search for a meaning to their lives or for the path of knowledge:
The Virgin (not speaking of sexual virgin): One whose search springs from her complete independence and everything she learns is the fruit of her ability to face challenges alone.
The Martyr: The one who finds her way to self-knowledge through pain, surrender and suffering.
The Saint: The one who finds her true reason for living in unconditional love and in her ability to give without asking anything in return.
The Witch: The one who justifies her existence by going in search of complete and limitless pleasure.
“Normally, a women has to choose from one of these traditional feminine archetypes, but Athena was all four at once”
Shreine Khalil, known as Athena was born in Romania and her parents, a successful industrialist family of Beirut adopted her, as their much loved, much-wanted daughter, who grew in wisdom and beauty. From an early age she had a strong religious vocation and knew all the gospels by heart, which was a blessing and a curse. She had the secret desire to become a saint someday. She had everything one can ask for, and yet it didn’t satisfy her restless soul. Her adopted mother, who was always ready to take care of her, give her all the love and comfort she could, want to see her win in whatever she does, though didn’t understand her, who felt that “a mother doesn’t have to understand anything, she simply has to love and protect”. A father, who loved her, was ready to be by her side in whatever she does and believed and respected her opinions as most correct even when she was just a child. The best of education that she left before completing; got married and divorced with a son in twenty; left the Church, on which she had deep faith from her childhood, after it forbade her from receiving sacrament, due to her divorce; a good job in a bank what she left when she was being just more than successful; took the job of selling land in dessert and left that too when she was earning more than enough, a successful Journalist, whom she left, who was ready to leave everything to love her. She was a restless soul, whom the success and comfort couldn’t content, who was learning all her life to suffer in silence, abandoned again and again by her birth mother, then by her husband and then by the Church she was so attached to, was trying to understand the meaning of life, through dance reaching Vertex and through calligraphy and passing this energy, the secret of rejuvenation to everyone else.
She went to find her birth mother when she realized the existence of blank spaces in her life. “Music only exists because pauses exist, and sentences only exist because the blank spaces exist” It’s the blank spaces which gives meaning to a sentence, the pauses which make music. There are blank spaces in everyone’s life since no one can keep active twenty four hours a day. But one needs to understand these blank spaces to make one’s soul composed and calm.
Vertex is the culminating point of life, the goal of all those who, like everyone else, make mistakes, but who, even in their darkest moments, never lose sight of the light emanating from their hearts. The Vertex is hidden inside us, and we can reach it if we accept it and recognize it.
Calligraphy, as written in the book, is the search for perfect meaning of each word through writing, the writing which wasn’t just the expression of a thought, but a way of reflecting on the meaning of each word. A single letter requires us to distil in it all the energy it contains, as if were carving out its meaning. It teaches objectivity and patience, respect and elegance.
She kept constantly destroying and rebuilding herself. Everything in her life had followed the same pattern: from lost to found; from divorce to new love; from working in a bank to selling real estate in the desert. There was only one thing which remained intact, that was her son. He was the only connecting thread.
Nothing could contend her restless soul; nothing could bring her peace of mind, neither even reaching Vertex through dancing or calligraphy. And finally she went to teach people something she didn’t know, that’s when she was bringing the soul to the surface, and speaking what the eternity, depicted as ‘the Mother’ in the book, wants to reveal through her.
Athena was bringing to the surface the immensely rich world we carry in our souls, without realizing that people aren’t yet ready to accept their own powers. That’s why the writer describes her as a woman of twenty-second century living in the twenty-first, and making no secret of the fact either. That was her biggest problem.
“……..perhaps you came too early, and people aren’t ready yet”.
The book talks about free love, a river which overflows its banks, which is above all the concept we associate with love, like desire, possession or betray.
“Love isn’t desire or knowledge or admiration. It’s a challenge; it’s an invisible fire”
“Love is not a habit, a commitment, or a debt. It isn’t what romantic songs tell us it is-love simply is.………………….No definitions. Love and don’t ask too many questions. Just love.”
“The energy of love can never be lost-it’s more powerful than anything and shows itself in many ways.”
‘Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.’ (Robert Frost)
That’s the path the Witch of Portobello was following throughout her life, until she was brutally murdered.
“No one lights a lamp in order to hide it behind the door……..No one sacrifices the most important thing she possesses: love. No one places her dreams in the hands of those who might destroy them. No one, that is, but Athena.”
It’s the story of Athena, or Sherine Khalil, who was always ready to walk out of the door from the comfort zone and confront the winds, the thunder and the lightning that life can bring, again and again, all by her own choice.
According to the writer, there are four classic archetypes of women who search for a meaning to their lives or for the path of knowledge:
The Virgin (not speaking of sexual virgin): One whose search springs from her complete independence and everything she learns is the fruit of her ability to face challenges alone.
The Martyr: The one who finds her way to self-knowledge through pain, surrender and suffering.
The Saint: The one who finds her true reason for living in unconditional love and in her ability to give without asking anything in return.
The Witch: The one who justifies her existence by going in search of complete and limitless pleasure.
“Normally, a women has to choose from one of these traditional feminine archetypes, but Athena was all four at once”
Shreine Khalil, known as Athena was born in Romania and her parents, a successful industrialist family of Beirut adopted her, as their much loved, much-wanted daughter, who grew in wisdom and beauty. From an early age she had a strong religious vocation and knew all the gospels by heart, which was a blessing and a curse. She had the secret desire to become a saint someday. She had everything one can ask for, and yet it didn’t satisfy her restless soul. Her adopted mother, who was always ready to take care of her, give her all the love and comfort she could, want to see her win in whatever she does, though didn’t understand her, who felt that “a mother doesn’t have to understand anything, she simply has to love and protect”. A father, who loved her, was ready to be by her side in whatever she does and believed and respected her opinions as most correct even when she was just a child. The best of education that she left before completing; got married and divorced with a son in twenty; left the Church, on which she had deep faith from her childhood, after it forbade her from receiving sacrament, due to her divorce; a good job in a bank what she left when she was being just more than successful; took the job of selling land in dessert and left that too when she was earning more than enough, a successful Journalist, whom she left, who was ready to leave everything to love her. She was a restless soul, whom the success and comfort couldn’t content, who was learning all her life to suffer in silence, abandoned again and again by her birth mother, then by her husband and then by the Church she was so attached to, was trying to understand the meaning of life, through dance reaching Vertex and through calligraphy and passing this energy, the secret of rejuvenation to everyone else.
She went to find her birth mother when she realized the existence of blank spaces in her life. “Music only exists because pauses exist, and sentences only exist because the blank spaces exist” It’s the blank spaces which gives meaning to a sentence, the pauses which make music. There are blank spaces in everyone’s life since no one can keep active twenty four hours a day. But one needs to understand these blank spaces to make one’s soul composed and calm.
Vertex is the culminating point of life, the goal of all those who, like everyone else, make mistakes, but who, even in their darkest moments, never lose sight of the light emanating from their hearts. The Vertex is hidden inside us, and we can reach it if we accept it and recognize it.
Calligraphy, as written in the book, is the search for perfect meaning of each word through writing, the writing which wasn’t just the expression of a thought, but a way of reflecting on the meaning of each word. A single letter requires us to distil in it all the energy it contains, as if were carving out its meaning. It teaches objectivity and patience, respect and elegance.
She kept constantly destroying and rebuilding herself. Everything in her life had followed the same pattern: from lost to found; from divorce to new love; from working in a bank to selling real estate in the desert. There was only one thing which remained intact, that was her son. He was the only connecting thread.
Nothing could contend her restless soul; nothing could bring her peace of mind, neither even reaching Vertex through dancing or calligraphy. And finally she went to teach people something she didn’t know, that’s when she was bringing the soul to the surface, and speaking what the eternity, depicted as ‘the Mother’ in the book, wants to reveal through her.
Athena was bringing to the surface the immensely rich world we carry in our souls, without realizing that people aren’t yet ready to accept their own powers. That’s why the writer describes her as a woman of twenty-second century living in the twenty-first, and making no secret of the fact either. That was her biggest problem.
“……..perhaps you came too early, and people aren’t ready yet”.
The book talks about free love, a river which overflows its banks, which is above all the concept we associate with love, like desire, possession or betray.
“Love fills everything. It cannot be desired because it is and end in itself. It cannot betray because it has nothing to do with possession. It cannot be held prisoner because it is a river and will overflow its banks. Anyone who tries to imprison love will cut off the spring that feeds it, and the trapped water will grow stagnant and rank”
“Love isn’t desire or knowledge or admiration. It’s a challenge; it’s an invisible fire”
“Love is not a habit, a commitment, or a debt. It isn’t what romantic songs tell us it is-love simply is.………………….No definitions. Love and don’t ask too many questions. Just love.”
“The energy of love can never be lost-it’s more powerful than anything and shows itself in many ways.”
‘Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.’ (Robert Frost)
That’s the path the Witch of Portobello was following throughout her life, until she was brutally murdered.
January 9, 2021
Also das ist echt ein Buch das wie ein Echo „nachhallt“ und das man erst einmal verarbeiten muss, nachdem man es gelesen hat. Absolutes 5-Sterne Buch. Coelho ist ein Meister
October 13, 2008
This book was a little "much." I was first introduced to Paulo Coelho with his acclaimed novel The Alchemist. I loved The Alchemist. It's clear the author is a "spiritualist" and takes pleasure in teaching lessons through simplicity and beauty. I found the Alchemist inspiring and well-written. The Witch of Portobello I found cultish and flowery. There was nothing natural about it - rather - almost something "forced" in trying to convey the story of a young woman finding her "center" through "the Mother" and essentially becoming a Witch; possessed bodies and cultish meetings included. True - I didn't agree with any sort of life philosophy this novel conveyed - the female face of God being freedom from the bondage of a distant omnicient male God. It promoted chaos vs organization and attacked the idea of organized religion at all its core idealogy. The Catholic religion being particularly referenced. He represented essentially "witchcraft" as the ever repressed female belief held under the "male" religious repression what with it's "laws" and precepts regulating our inner passions and natural desires. Not my kind of book - though there were a few good lessons to learn - overall I wasn't impressed. What kept me going is trying to figure out who murdered Athena. Don't worry - I didn't ruin anything. You know she's been murdered in the first pages and it's merely a "look back" at her life prior to that through the eyes of her closest friends and collegues. The strucutre of the novel was interesting - it was the story and ideas themselves that turned me off and I routinely found myself shaking my head in disbelief and almost laughing out loud at some of the attempts at "spiritual" and finding the "inner flower/witch." Not his best. And I don't know if I'll venture to read another. I should stick with The Alchemist.
June 27, 2008
Picked up this book at SFO before boarding my plane to Hawaii. Seemed like a total accident, given I had never heard of it and wasn't planning to buy it. But having read it, I acknowledge this as an example of the belief "there are no accidents."
From early childhood, I have been keenly aware of an accessible spiritual world, but lacked the encourgement or guidance to foster my ability to contact that world.
While the underlying message of this book is exploring the answer to the question "What is Love?" (answer: Love IS.), I found the exploration of the feminine side of divinity, of God to be refreshing and timely in my own life. We have all heard stories of women in particular who possess "abilities." I call it intuition. But why can't we accept these things as natural and beautiful? And why can't we encourage girls and women to strenghten their abilities to serve mankind? And why does dogma seek to destroy the credibility of these gifts?
I have always had a very strong spiritual sense, rooted in the Catholic teachings, as this is how I was raised. I genuinely find comfort in the rituals of the religion, but find myself very at odds with the "Church" and it's doctrine as defined by mortal men over the centuries.
These rigid and exclusionary "rules" were written by men, many of whom were imperfect, fearful, vengeful, ruthless, dishonest, power-hungry, etc. I find so many of the "rules" to be in direct conflict with Jesus' teachings, with passages from the Bible (which we also must remember was a) written by mortal men to the best of their recollection and b) was assembled by a group of men later on who cherry-picked gospels to support the doctrine they personally crafted.)
But in general, we know Jesus was an amazing man who lived his life to include all people, not to exclude them. He generally traveled in the lowest of circles, reaching out to the poorest, sickest, most deranged souls in need of a lift up. Most of all, he never judged others. And I have found the Catholic Church and it's devoted followers to be some of the most judgemental people. Sad.
The Catholic Church has let me down, really let me down on several important ocassions. The last straw being when several Catholic churches/priests refused to marry me and my fiancee at my Mother's (devoted Catholic) bedside a few days before she passed away, their reason being that we had not completed the six-month marriage instruction (which by the way, was something constructed by the local arch diocese recently and is not something that was dictated by God)--the priests admitted a fear of backlash within their own hierarchy should our marriage ever be dissolved. Basically, they were afraid for their own personal position within the Church.
Here was a chance for the Church to do something really beautiful for my whole family, most especially my Mother, and they shut us out. Just like the people at the Inn who shut the door on Mary & Joseph when they needed a place to stay for Christ's birth. This is not a Church of love or compassion. It is a Church of fear, judgement, and exclusion.
We chose to marry in a Unitarian Church, one with a strong Gay following. Our priest was a memeber of the White Robed Monks of St. Benedict, a wonderful group of priests, many former Roman Catholic priests, who have decided to continue their ministry of the Old Dutch Cathlolic practices, while being able to marry and have families. Theirs is a ministry of inclusion. They do not discrimiate against anyone. They include everyone, as Jesus would. They offer Communion to all people, regardless of religion or status (e.g. have you had confession this week?). Our wedding could not have been truer to who we are. We crafted a ceremony with traditional Cathlolic rituals and prayers, but were also sure to include all of our friends of varying religions, backgrounds, and lifestyles. And I was thankful we didn't go down the typical path of lying about who we are(e.g. pre-marital sex, living with my fiancee, etc) to get married in a Church that believes these things to be sinful and unacceptable. Why would I want to be part of a Church who would judge me like that? Seems pretty hypocrtical to me. And while I am the first to admit I am a flawed and imperfect person, I have always been honest. About everything, and perhaps to a fault. But I don't lie. Ever.
I struggle with the disappointment and hurt I have felt at the hands of the Church. I don't know if I will ever be able to understand it and fully embrace the Church again. Yet I want my children baptized Catholic. I suppose I feel that eventually the Church will see the error of their ways.
I digress. Paulo Coelho has a similar perspective and that perspective is woven throughout his writing. I can't wait to read his other books. There is a lot of room for growth thinking about these things. I look forward to my evolution.
From early childhood, I have been keenly aware of an accessible spiritual world, but lacked the encourgement or guidance to foster my ability to contact that world.
While the underlying message of this book is exploring the answer to the question "What is Love?" (answer: Love IS.), I found the exploration of the feminine side of divinity, of God to be refreshing and timely in my own life. We have all heard stories of women in particular who possess "abilities." I call it intuition. But why can't we accept these things as natural and beautiful? And why can't we encourage girls and women to strenghten their abilities to serve mankind? And why does dogma seek to destroy the credibility of these gifts?
I have always had a very strong spiritual sense, rooted in the Catholic teachings, as this is how I was raised. I genuinely find comfort in the rituals of the religion, but find myself very at odds with the "Church" and it's doctrine as defined by mortal men over the centuries.
These rigid and exclusionary "rules" were written by men, many of whom were imperfect, fearful, vengeful, ruthless, dishonest, power-hungry, etc. I find so many of the "rules" to be in direct conflict with Jesus' teachings, with passages from the Bible (which we also must remember was a) written by mortal men to the best of their recollection and b) was assembled by a group of men later on who cherry-picked gospels to support the doctrine they personally crafted.)
But in general, we know Jesus was an amazing man who lived his life to include all people, not to exclude them. He generally traveled in the lowest of circles, reaching out to the poorest, sickest, most deranged souls in need of a lift up. Most of all, he never judged others. And I have found the Catholic Church and it's devoted followers to be some of the most judgemental people. Sad.
The Catholic Church has let me down, really let me down on several important ocassions. The last straw being when several Catholic churches/priests refused to marry me and my fiancee at my Mother's (devoted Catholic) bedside a few days before she passed away, their reason being that we had not completed the six-month marriage instruction (which by the way, was something constructed by the local arch diocese recently and is not something that was dictated by God)--the priests admitted a fear of backlash within their own hierarchy should our marriage ever be dissolved. Basically, they were afraid for their own personal position within the Church.
Here was a chance for the Church to do something really beautiful for my whole family, most especially my Mother, and they shut us out. Just like the people at the Inn who shut the door on Mary & Joseph when they needed a place to stay for Christ's birth. This is not a Church of love or compassion. It is a Church of fear, judgement, and exclusion.
We chose to marry in a Unitarian Church, one with a strong Gay following. Our priest was a memeber of the White Robed Monks of St. Benedict, a wonderful group of priests, many former Roman Catholic priests, who have decided to continue their ministry of the Old Dutch Cathlolic practices, while being able to marry and have families. Theirs is a ministry of inclusion. They do not discrimiate against anyone. They include everyone, as Jesus would. They offer Communion to all people, regardless of religion or status (e.g. have you had confession this week?). Our wedding could not have been truer to who we are. We crafted a ceremony with traditional Cathlolic rituals and prayers, but were also sure to include all of our friends of varying religions, backgrounds, and lifestyles. And I was thankful we didn't go down the typical path of lying about who we are(e.g. pre-marital sex, living with my fiancee, etc) to get married in a Church that believes these things to be sinful and unacceptable. Why would I want to be part of a Church who would judge me like that? Seems pretty hypocrtical to me. And while I am the first to admit I am a flawed and imperfect person, I have always been honest. About everything, and perhaps to a fault. But I don't lie. Ever.
I struggle with the disappointment and hurt I have felt at the hands of the Church. I don't know if I will ever be able to understand it and fully embrace the Church again. Yet I want my children baptized Catholic. I suppose I feel that eventually the Church will see the error of their ways.
I digress. Paulo Coelho has a similar perspective and that perspective is woven throughout his writing. I can't wait to read his other books. There is a lot of room for growth thinking about these things. I look forward to my evolution.
June 13, 2016
أنهيت الرواية لان ضميري يمنعني غالبا من أن أبدأ كتابا ولا أنهيه !
كانت واحدة من أكثر الروايات التي قرأتها مللا وسخافة
ربما تشبعت من الكلام الصوفي و "الام الكبرى" فهي بعيدة جدا عن معتقداتي... فلماذا البحث عن معرفة الله في الطبيعة أو عن طريق الرقص أو طقوس اعتبرها شعودة
فكرة عبادة الطبيعة و أن "الله لم يخلق الكون بل الله هو الكون" و "الإلهة الأنثى" كلها أفكار وثنية قديمة و لا علاقة لها بالإسلام. لاني تفاجات بالكثير من القراء المسلمين ممن تقبلوا هده الأفكار بحجة أنها مغذية روحانيًا..في رأيي أن يتشبعوا بتعاليم الاسلام بدل هده الترهات.. فالاسلام يشمل كل جوانب الحياة .
ربما هي آخر رواية أقرأها لباولو ... فالحياة أقصر من أن نقرأ كتبا لا تضيف إلى إيماننا وعواطفنا وحبنا شيئا يذكر.
كانت واحدة من أكثر الروايات التي قرأتها مللا وسخافة
ربما تشبعت من الكلام الصوفي و "الام الكبرى" فهي بعيدة جدا عن معتقداتي... فلماذا البحث عن معرفة الله في الطبيعة أو عن طريق الرقص أو طقوس اعتبرها شعودة
فكرة عبادة الطبيعة و أن "الله لم يخلق الكون بل الله هو الكون" و "الإلهة الأنثى" كلها أفكار وثنية قديمة و لا علاقة لها بالإسلام. لاني تفاجات بالكثير من القراء المسلمين ممن تقبلوا هده الأفكار بحجة أنها مغذية روحانيًا..في رأيي أن يتشبعوا بتعاليم الاسلام بدل هده الترهات.. فالاسلام يشمل كل جوانب الحياة .
ربما هي آخر رواية أقرأها لباولو ... فالحياة أقصر من أن نقرأ كتبا لا تضيف إلى إيماننا وعواطفنا وحبنا شيئا يذكر.
July 3, 2008
I'm not really sure how to review this book. It's so completely different to anything I've ever read. I'm therefore not going to try to analyse it, because there are some fantastic reviews for this book, and I know mine will not be of the same standard. So I'm basically just going to write down my thoughts, and how the book made me feel.
The main character, Athena, discovers that there could be more to life after going to her neighbour's flat to complain about the loud music. What she sees when she arrives is a group of people dancing around to music - eyes closed, unaware of anything around them. She questions this with her neighbour who advises that he'd found some writing from his father, that spoke about dancing being a way to connect the participants to their inner self, and in turn to the light and The Mother. Athena then embarks on her own spiritual journey. This book is more of a spiritual life lesson than a real novel. There is no real plotline - Athena travels around and learns lessons, but thats the extent of the storyline. This doesn't matter though, as it's the meaning behind the plot that makes this book so wonderful.
I think that the fact that it is told from multiple narrators really enhances the story. It is interesting to hear the different opinions on Athena and her teachings. I've encountered multiple narration in other books and hated it, but in this book it works very well. My only criticism is that because the characters are never really explored in depth, sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between the different narrators, however this is a minimal issue.
I found this book very empowering. It has definitely opened up my eyes to spirituality as a whole. I think I am generally a spiritual person, but I haven't really read too much around this particular subject. I have always been interested in the paranormal and mediums and such like, however I've never been very religious. I like the notion put forward by the book that there is a female divinity, and this is something that I would like to investigate further.
The book addresses the issues of religion, and the church's attitude to anything other than its own views. Whilst I appreciate that the church is (generally) more relaxed now than it was them, it still throws forward the argument that unless you agree with their teachings and ways of life, you are seen as the enemy.
After reading the book, somehow I felt more in touch with myself, although I haven't attempted to practice any of the methods Athena uses. I think it's because the book teaches us that we each carve our own way in the world. We can be guided by people, but ultimately it is the individual that possesses the power to really make a difference in their own lives. It teaches us that whilst we may think we're happy, if we take a step back and really look, there is so much more left to discover.
The main character, Athena, discovers that there could be more to life after going to her neighbour's flat to complain about the loud music. What she sees when she arrives is a group of people dancing around to music - eyes closed, unaware of anything around them. She questions this with her neighbour who advises that he'd found some writing from his father, that spoke about dancing being a way to connect the participants to their inner self, and in turn to the light and The Mother. Athena then embarks on her own spiritual journey. This book is more of a spiritual life lesson than a real novel. There is no real plotline - Athena travels around and learns lessons, but thats the extent of the storyline. This doesn't matter though, as it's the meaning behind the plot that makes this book so wonderful.
I think that the fact that it is told from multiple narrators really enhances the story. It is interesting to hear the different opinions on Athena and her teachings. I've encountered multiple narration in other books and hated it, but in this book it works very well. My only criticism is that because the characters are never really explored in depth, sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between the different narrators, however this is a minimal issue.
I found this book very empowering. It has definitely opened up my eyes to spirituality as a whole. I think I am generally a spiritual person, but I haven't really read too much around this particular subject. I have always been interested in the paranormal and mediums and such like, however I've never been very religious. I like the notion put forward by the book that there is a female divinity, and this is something that I would like to investigate further.
The book addresses the issues of religion, and the church's attitude to anything other than its own views. Whilst I appreciate that the church is (generally) more relaxed now than it was them, it still throws forward the argument that unless you agree with their teachings and ways of life, you are seen as the enemy.
After reading the book, somehow I felt more in touch with myself, although I haven't attempted to practice any of the methods Athena uses. I think it's because the book teaches us that we each carve our own way in the world. We can be guided by people, but ultimately it is the individual that possesses the power to really make a difference in their own lives. It teaches us that whilst we may think we're happy, if we take a step back and really look, there is so much more left to discover.
June 28, 2018
هذه الرواية جعلني ان اكون حزينا عل�� وباولو كويلو لان خيب املي فيه، الحسنة الوحيدة في هذه الرواية هي طريقة وأسلوب جديد في السرد وهو ان يتكلم عن بطلة الرواية بس بمنظور من كانوا في حياتها، نستطيع ان نقول مثل تحقيقي صحفي ولكن ب لغة عميقة جدا وفلسفية ويحتاج تركيز ومزاح عالي جدا لتفهمه.
وايظا كعادته الكاتب باولو كويلو تكلم عن الأنثى في هذه الرواية مثل الكثير من أعماله، الجديد في هذه الرواية هي إظهار الصراع الداخلي للأنثى وما تعانيه في حياتها من مشكال وضغوطات وكيف تواجه، صحيح اُسلوب صعب وعميق ولكن لم يكون ب مستوى البسيط للفهم.
طبعا رواية لا تنصح لمن هم مبتدأون في القراءة بشكل عام وبشكل خاص كتب باولو كويلو، قراءة ممتعة.
This novel made me sad for Paulo Coelho because I was disappointed, the only good in this novel is a novel way and style in the narration is to talk about the protagonist of the novel but the perspective of those who were in her life, we can say such as investigative journalist but a very deep language and philosophical The concentration and joking needs a very high understanding.
The novel in this novel is the portrayal of the internal conflict of the female and what she suffers in her life from kaleidoscope and pressures and how to face it. True, it is a difficult and profound method, but it is not simple to understand.
Of course, a novel does not advise those who are beginners in reading in general and in particular Paulo Coelho wrote an enjoyable reading.
وايظا كعادته الكاتب باولو كويلو تكلم عن الأنثى في هذه الرواية مثل الكثير من أعماله، الجديد في هذه الرواية هي إظهار الصراع الداخلي للأنثى وما تعانيه في حياتها من مشكال وضغوطات وكيف تواجه، صحيح اُسلوب صعب وعميق ولكن لم يكون ب مستوى البسيط للفهم.
طبعا رواية لا تنصح لمن هم مبتدأون في القراءة بشكل عام وبشكل خاص كتب باولو كويلو، قراءة ممتعة.
This novel made me sad for Paulo Coelho because I was disappointed, the only good in this novel is a novel way and style in the narration is to talk about the protagonist of the novel but the perspective of those who were in her life, we can say such as investigative journalist but a very deep language and philosophical The concentration and joking needs a very high understanding.
The novel in this novel is the portrayal of the internal conflict of the female and what she suffers in her life from kaleidoscope and pressures and how to face it. True, it is a difficult and profound method, but it is not simple to understand.
Of course, a novel does not advise those who are beginners in reading in general and in particular Paulo Coelho wrote an enjoyable reading.
February 23, 2018
ذهنم رو پر از سوال و فکر میکنه.تو تمام ساعت هایی که این کتاب رو میخونم و یا کنار میذارمش ذهنم رو درگیر خودش میکنه.روایت خیلی جالبی داشت و دوستش داشتم.
March 22, 2008
Major disappointment. I've enjoyed Paulo Coelho's work before, but this is a very weak novel. I admit that I am easily creeped out by the kind of leaky spirituality that this book revolves around, but beyond that, the writing for female characters is god-awful and the mystic quest that the protagonist is on is laughable. The mystery of the compiler of all the separate accounts, once revealed, escaped being predictable by being stupid. A phoned-in, whimper of a book.
August 19, 2022
I was undecided before reading other's reviews. I am going along with Julia and Ana and giving it 5 stars. A story about an adopted woman who is seeking truth and not finding it in traditional society. She discovers she is drawn to some of the old feminine spiritual practices and ends up teaching those to others.
One thought hit me - when someone retires everyone congratulates him on a brilliant career, on the legacy he leaves behind him...but no one will have time for him anymore - life flows on and everyone is caught up in that flow. I discovered when you move to a different part of the country, very few of your friends stay in contact with you. You are no longer part of their flow. Sad.
One comment I laughed at but could relate to is when the journalist says "I'd be capable of doing almost anything even leaving the woman I was living with, but I drew the line, of course, at giving away my books" I, and many who read can identify with that.
Prepare for a very surprise ending.
One thought hit me - when someone retires everyone congratulates him on a brilliant career, on the legacy he leaves behind him...but no one will have time for him anymore - life flows on and everyone is caught up in that flow. I discovered when you move to a different part of the country, very few of your friends stay in contact with you. You are no longer part of their flow. Sad.
One comment I laughed at but could relate to is when the journalist says "I'd be capable of doing almost anything even leaving the woman I was living with, but I drew the line, of course, at giving away my books" I, and many who read can identify with that.
Prepare for a very surprise ending.
January 10, 2024
Athena föds i Transylvanien, blir adopterad och hamnar i Beirut med sina nya föräldrar. När kriget bryter ut flyttar de till London. Vi får historien om "häxan från Portobello" berättad av dem som kände henne.
Det här är en gammal hyllvärmare som jag äntligen tagit tag i. Hittade den som ljudbok och bestämde mig för att börja lyssna - och sen blev det att jag fortsatte lyssna på Magnus Roosmann.
Det är fler än tio personer som berättar om Athena - som egentligen heter Sherine - så det är lite svårt att hålla reda på alla och vilken relation de har till huvudpersonen, åtminstone till en början. Men det är egentligen inte så viktigt; jag lyssnar vidare och växlar mellan att tycka att det är intressant och tycka att det blir lite för flummigt för min smak. Jag har inget emot andlighet, men jag kan inte påstå att jag förstår allt som försiggår i den här boken och därför upplever jag det som "flummigt". För att sammanfatta så gillar jag delar av historien, men nu när jag ska skriva ner mina tankar om boken en vecka senare så inser jag att jag inte minns så mycket.
Det här är en gammal hyllvärmare som jag äntligen tagit tag i. Hittade den som ljudbok och bestämde mig för att börja lyssna - och sen blev det att jag fortsatte lyssna på Magnus Roosmann.
Det är fler än tio personer som berättar om Athena - som egentligen heter Sherine - så det är lite svårt att hålla reda på alla och vilken relation de har till huvudpersonen, åtminstone till en början. Men det är egentligen inte så viktigt; jag lyssnar vidare och växlar mellan att tycka att det är intressant och tycka att det blir lite för flummigt för min smak. Jag har inget emot andlighet, men jag kan inte påstå att jag förstår allt som försiggår i den här boken och därför upplever jag det som "flummigt". För att sammanfatta så gillar jag delar av historien, men nu när jag ska skriva ner mina tankar om boken en vecka senare så inser jag att jag inte minns så mycket.
August 24, 2018
Believe it or not, this is my first Paulo Coelho book and it was given to me by a dear friend. 💙
2.5/5
This the story of Athena, a mysterious woman, the story itself told by many different flesh entities who knew her or did not know her at all. She was born in Romania and her parents, a successful industrialist family of Beirut adopted her, as their much-loved, much-wanted daughter, who grew in wisdom and beauty. From an early age she had a strong religious vocation and knew all the gospels by heart, which was a blessing and a curse.
Athena had the secret desire to become a saint someday. She had everything one can ask for, and yet it didn’t satisfy her restless soul. Her adopted mother, who was always ready to take care of her, give her all the love and comfort she could and want to see her win in whatever she does though didn’t understand her. Early marriage to a man she meets at a London college, her son birth, leaves church on which she had deep faith from her childhood.
In the book’s second half, Athena learns to harness the powers that have been present within her, and the story picks up as she acquires a teacher, then disciples, and speeds toward a spectacular end.
Throughout the novel, Coelho’s words verifies the phrase: “How do we find the courage to always be true to ourselves—even if we are unsure of whom we are?”
Coelho’s focuses on multiple narrative process that is unsatisfying at times as they discuss their different opinions on the protagonist, Athena. Due to multiple narration the characters are never explored much in-depth even though they are the immense part of the plot.
2.5/5
This the story of Athena, a mysterious woman, the story itself told by many different flesh entities who knew her or did not know her at all. She was born in Romania and her parents, a successful industrialist family of Beirut adopted her, as their much-loved, much-wanted daughter, who grew in wisdom and beauty. From an early age she had a strong religious vocation and knew all the gospels by heart, which was a blessing and a curse.
Athena had the secret desire to become a saint someday. She had everything one can ask for, and yet it didn’t satisfy her restless soul. Her adopted mother, who was always ready to take care of her, give her all the love and comfort she could and want to see her win in whatever she does though didn’t understand her. Early marriage to a man she meets at a London college, her son birth, leaves church on which she had deep faith from her childhood.
In the book’s second half, Athena learns to harness the powers that have been present within her, and the story picks up as she acquires a teacher, then disciples, and speeds toward a spectacular end.
Throughout the novel, Coelho’s words verifies the phrase: “How do we find the courage to always be true to ourselves—even if we are unsure of whom we are?”
Coelho’s focuses on multiple narrative process that is unsatisfying at times as they discuss their different opinions on the protagonist, Athena. Due to multiple narration the characters are never explored much in-depth even though they are the immense part of the plot.
June 5, 2018
Ce livre a erré sur l'étagère de ma soeur pendant si longtemps maintenant et j'ai finalement décidé de l'emprunter et de donner une autre chance à Paulo Coelho, l'auteur du "best seller" après avoir été déçu par son célèbre roman "The Alchemist".
Alors, d'où en commencer et d'où en finir? Commençons d'abord par la structure que j'ai trouvé qu'elle n'était rien qu'une manifestation d'une envie inutile d'innover, et qui ne m'a pas du tout plu, parce qu'en écrivant l'histoire de la sorcière de Portobello à partir de différents points de vue, ce qui en résulte est une accumulation d'avis et non pas une histoire cohérente.
Et puis on a les événements, mieux dire la quasi-absence des événemtns, avec beaucoup de détails et de paragraphes qui me faisaient sentir que j'étais entrain d'assister à un serment lors d'une messe.
La spiritualité était un peu trop forcé, il n'y avait aucun genre de jouissance tout au long des 288 pages, seulement un tas de conseils fourrés dans les événements.
Il n'y avait nullement des événements qui rendent le lecteur attaché à l'histoire et désirant la finir pour savoir ce qui va arriver. Et ça signifie l'absence d'un élément très crucial dans quelconque histoire.
Enfin, je n'ai pas apprécié non plus le fait qu'il n'y avait pas de description, les personnages à part Athéna/Sherine ont étaient présentées d'une manière superficielle.
Pour en finir, je pense que La Sorcière de Portobello ainsi que L'Alchémiste portent beaucoup plus de "philosophie" que de narration.
Alors, d'où en commencer et d'où en finir? Commençons d'abord par la structure que j'ai trouvé qu'elle n'était rien qu'une manifestation d'une envie inutile d'innover, et qui ne m'a pas du tout plu, parce qu'en écrivant l'histoire de la sorcière de Portobello à partir de différents points de vue, ce qui en résulte est une accumulation d'avis et non pas une histoire cohérente.
Et puis on a les événements, mieux dire la quasi-absence des événemtns, avec beaucoup de détails et de paragraphes qui me faisaient sentir que j'étais entrain d'assister à un serment lors d'une messe.
La spiritualité était un peu trop forcé, il n'y avait aucun genre de jouissance tout au long des 288 pages, seulement un tas de conseils fourrés dans les événements.
Il n'y avait nullement des événements qui rendent le lecteur attaché à l'histoire et désirant la finir pour savoir ce qui va arriver. Et ça signifie l'absence d'un élément très crucial dans quelconque histoire.
Enfin, je n'ai pas apprécié non plus le fait qu'il n'y avait pas de description, les personnages à part Athéna/Sherine ont étaient présentées d'une manière superficielle.
Pour en finir, je pense que La Sorcière de Portobello ainsi que L'Alchémiste portent beaucoup plus de "philosophie" que de narration.
December 15, 2008
I bought this book in Cabo for a few pesos and later found it was being given away FREE, so my expectations were somewhat tempered and let me just say Coelho does not disappoint. Ahem.
On a positive note, Paulo Coelho has one of the great names in contemporary fiction, one that exudes a sort of exotic erudition, so one might say that only an author as magnificent as Coelho can draw the reader in and convince that reader he is purposefully fooling the reader into believing that this book was written in boredom on the back of failed driver's license examinations during multiple trips to the DMV.
Cliches? Check. Surprise ending? Check. Air sickness bag in the seat pocket ahead of you? THANK GOD CHECK. Check? Please.
What I liked about this book was that the main character was apparently born in Sibiu, Transylvania, a city where I lived for a year during college and also, like I said, I really like the author's name. He should totally ride that name into another book deal, maybe with Nicholas Sparks as they tackle New Ageism in Charleston.
The beautiful, misunderstood, dancing gypsy motif hasn't been performed this well since 1996's Hunchback of Notre Dame, so kudos to Mr. Coelho for respecting Walt Disney pictures enough not to outdo it.
Did I mention they were giving this book away for free? My advice: Save your receipt.
On a positive note, Paulo Coelho has one of the great names in contemporary fiction, one that exudes a sort of exotic erudition, so one might say that only an author as magnificent as Coelho can draw the reader in and convince that reader he is purposefully fooling the reader into believing that this book was written in boredom on the back of failed driver's license examinations during multiple trips to the DMV.
Cliches? Check. Surprise ending? Check. Air sickness bag in the seat pocket ahead of you? THANK GOD CHECK. Check? Please.
What I liked about this book was that the main character was apparently born in Sibiu, Transylvania, a city where I lived for a year during college and also, like I said, I really like the author's name. He should totally ride that name into another book deal, maybe with Nicholas Sparks as they tackle New Ageism in Charleston.
The beautiful, misunderstood, dancing gypsy motif hasn't been performed this well since 1996's Hunchback of Notre Dame, so kudos to Mr. Coelho for respecting Walt Disney pictures enough not to outdo it.
Did I mention they were giving this book away for free? My advice: Save your receipt.
May 14, 2010
I decided to read this as part of a string of Paolo Coelho novels in a sort of marathon. This is the fourth in a row, and I must say the worst, by far.
Not only is it absolutely pointless and riddled with repeated themes and preachy tones, but it is also extremely boring. I'm amazed that I made it to page 192 before I decided to just skip pages to get to a more tangible part of what resembles a plot, which this book lacks in the worst possible way.
Never once did I sympathize or care what happened to Athena or Sherine or Hagia Sofia (all one person), and that is the worst flaw a book can contain. Insult was added to injury when all the other characters weren't any more significant to my senses.
I am so disappointed in Coelho for this sub par work by an otherwise great writer who really presents the human condition from within the characters he creates, but failed miserably in this work.
Thanks to this horrible novel, this is about all I can take of Coelho for the time being... I plan to read more of his books in the future, but for now, I'm done.
Not only is it absolutely pointless and riddled with repeated themes and preachy tones, but it is also extremely boring. I'm amazed that I made it to page 192 before I decided to just skip pages to get to a more tangible part of what resembles a plot, which this book lacks in the worst possible way.
Never once did I sympathize or care what happened to Athena or Sherine or Hagia Sofia (all one person), and that is the worst flaw a book can contain. Insult was added to injury when all the other characters weren't any more significant to my senses.
I am so disappointed in Coelho for this sub par work by an otherwise great writer who really presents the human condition from within the characters he creates, but failed miserably in this work.
Thanks to this horrible novel, this is about all I can take of Coelho for the time being... I plan to read more of his books in the future, but for now, I'm done.
July 26, 2022
اوایل کتاب جالب و پر رمز و راز بود و کمکم داشتی آتنا رو میشناختی .کمکم میفهمیدی بچه داره،کارش چیه و پدر مادرش کیه.
اما وقتی شناختی دیگه جذابیت خاصی نداشت و رفت تو فاز اینکه از کائنات بخواه تا بهت داده شود و با بقیه متفاوت باش اما خود پائولو کوئلیو هم به این گفتش عمل نمیکنه و همه کتاباش یه مدل و تو یه سبکه .و اگر بخوام بگم دیگه تبدیل شده به کتاب های روانشناسی زرد اغراق نکردم.
تا ۱۵۰ صفحه ی اول جالب بود ولی بعد از اون داشتم به زور میخوندم تا تموم شه .
آخرای داستان رفت تو فاز تخیلی ،به قتل میرسه! توسط مادر تسخیر میشه!کلی مرید پیدا میکنه و ...
عیا صوفیه همبه شدت شبیه این کلاهبرداری های شو های تلویزیونی بود و اصلا تاثیرگذار نبود .
اما وقتی شناختی دیگه جذابیت خاصی نداشت و رفت تو فاز اینکه از کائنات بخواه تا بهت داده شود و با بقیه متفاوت باش اما خود پائولو کوئلیو هم به این گفتش عمل نمیکنه و همه کتاباش یه مدل و تو یه سبکه .و اگر بخوام بگم دیگه تبدیل شده به کتاب های روانشناسی زرد اغراق نکردم.
تا ۱۵۰ صفحه ی اول جالب بود ولی بعد از اون داشتم به زور میخوندم تا تموم شه .
آخرای داستان رفت تو فاز تخیلی ،به قتل میرسه! توسط مادر تسخیر میشه!کلی مرید پیدا میکنه و ...
عیا صوفیه همبه شدت شبیه این کلاهبرداری های شو های تلویزیونی بود و اصلا تاثیرگذار نبود .
July 20, 2020
I don't know if I give 2.5 or 3 stars tbh.
I'm not really into spiritual stuff so I didn't understand most things that were referred in this book. Although I liked some parts of the book and some quotes. I also found myself curious to know more about Athena's journey, so that was probably what kept me reading. The writting style was good. It's not a book that I would recommend to someone, unless that person is really into spirituality.
I'm not really into spiritual stuff so I didn't understand most things that were referred in this book. Although I liked some parts of the book and some quotes. I also found myself curious to know more about Athena's journey, so that was probably what kept me reading. The writting style was good. It's not a book that I would recommend to someone, unless that person is really into spirituality.
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