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biw's review against another edition
3.0
halfway through the book i realised it was a giant "trolley problem" novel and i HATE trolley problems
i consider them to be the most useless philosophical "questions" in the history of philosophy itself
that is why this book was JUST RIGHT for me, it talked about something i disagree with, this whole debate of good and evil, devil and god and how we are either good or bad or nothing in between or nothing more or less, but sitting and reading about all these different characetrs who are living the trolley problem not as a hypothetical question but as a reality
that made my brain turn, and i like when books make my brain turn, so it was a good read nevertheless
i consider them to be the most useless philosophical "questions" in the history of philosophy itself
that is why this book was JUST RIGHT for me, it talked about something i disagree with, this whole debate of good and evil, devil and god and how we are either good or bad or nothing in between or nothing more or less, but sitting and reading about all these different characetrs who are living the trolley problem not as a hypothetical question but as a reality
that made my brain turn, and i like when books make my brain turn, so it was a good read nevertheless
thebobsphere's review against another edition
3.0
My first taste of Coelho was The Alchemist. A book I disliked, mainly cause I thought that it was regurgitated Middle Eastern Philosophy with a self help sheen to dupe people into thinking that the novel would take them to some higher plane. As I pointed out this opinion to many people, I met two very distinct opinions. There were those who swore by the book and those who swore at the book. I admit I guess I’m in the latter category. Saying that at the time I was swindled by the bookstore I worked at and I turned to the book so that I would feel better but I suffered from the opposite effect.
Which brings us to The Devil and Miss Prym, a book that I should read before I die. Keeping in mind my first Coelho experience, I was quite sceptical about the whole thing and began to read it with a sort of mocking undertone in my brain.
When I was a kid, there were a series of televised fairy tales (no it’s not Shelley Duvall’s Faerie Tale Theatre) that had a popular following on video tape. The reason being the series were constantly rented out and you really had to rely on luck in order to find one of the blessed things! There was one story in particular about a man who made some Faustian pact with a creature in which he would forgo washing altogether in order to lead a rich life. Predictably his social life went down the proverbial drain so he gladly gave up the cash in order to apply soap to his grubby torso.
When I was reading The Devil and Miss Prym I was transported into the past as the novel is indeed a fairy tale with a more Christocentric message.
One fine day in the poor village of Visco a fellow possessed by evil decides to see if the villagers are capable of evil. He does this by offering 10 bars of pure gold to the villagers if they kill one person in their close knit society. To make matters worse this stranger uses a barmaid called Chantal Prym as her mouthpiece and rope her into doing his dirty work. (in fact I noted that it was similar to the book of Job- and then two pages later there are quotes from the book)
When the village find out about this plan many discussions about the nature and personification of evil. All done through parable. Eventually through Miss Prym they reach a decision and find out that the secret to a rich life lies within our free will. In order not to give any spoilers I have to be this vague.
Being a Theology student, I found a lot of points postulated in the book to be quite valid, However Coelho sometimes becomes way too preachy for his own good and it can be a bit bothersome. One gets the feeling that he is some perfect faultless being or at least he’s using his books as a mouthpiece for that concept. After a little while I did put this aspect aside and I did like the book. Essentially it’s a cautionary tale that’s a bit more religious in it’s outcome.
Which brings us to The Devil and Miss Prym, a book that I should read before I die. Keeping in mind my first Coelho experience, I was quite sceptical about the whole thing and began to read it with a sort of mocking undertone in my brain.
When I was a kid, there were a series of televised fairy tales (no it’s not Shelley Duvall’s Faerie Tale Theatre) that had a popular following on video tape. The reason being the series were constantly rented out and you really had to rely on luck in order to find one of the blessed things! There was one story in particular about a man who made some Faustian pact with a creature in which he would forgo washing altogether in order to lead a rich life. Predictably his social life went down the proverbial drain so he gladly gave up the cash in order to apply soap to his grubby torso.
When I was reading The Devil and Miss Prym I was transported into the past as the novel is indeed a fairy tale with a more Christocentric message.
One fine day in the poor village of Visco a fellow possessed by evil decides to see if the villagers are capable of evil. He does this by offering 10 bars of pure gold to the villagers if they kill one person in their close knit society. To make matters worse this stranger uses a barmaid called Chantal Prym as her mouthpiece and rope her into doing his dirty work. (in fact I noted that it was similar to the book of Job- and then two pages later there are quotes from the book)
When the village find out about this plan many discussions about the nature and personification of evil. All done through parable. Eventually through Miss Prym they reach a decision and find out that the secret to a rich life lies within our free will. In order not to give any spoilers I have to be this vague.
Being a Theology student, I found a lot of points postulated in the book to be quite valid, However Coelho sometimes becomes way too preachy for his own good and it can be a bit bothersome. One gets the feeling that he is some perfect faultless being or at least he’s using his books as a mouthpiece for that concept. After a little while I did put this aspect aside and I did like the book. Essentially it’s a cautionary tale that’s a bit more religious in it’s outcome.
breadandmushrooms's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
nanaisha's review against another edition
4.0
as usual, paulo's writing never fails. but this book made me think and ask myself a very important question. what if you didn't have the means to be a good person?
rebcamuse's review against another edition
4.0
Once again, Coelho deftly uses his gifts as a storyteller to delve into the meat of the human condition. This “novel of temptation” is in the same vein as Coelho’s The Alchemist, wherein he uses a simple narrative technique to approach some very difficult questions.
Although one might think it would be impossible to explore good vs. evil without a certain amount of rhetoric, Coelho’s approach is fresh and does not resort to the usual cliches. The heroine does not shine and the villain is a victim of circumstance. In the two characters we see both sides of ourselves.
The book reads like a morality play in that the town of Viscos is Everytown and the Stranger is Everyman. Coelho has brought on the renaissance of the parable as an art form and should be commended on his ability to explore truth without grandstanding. This is a book that should humble even the most saintly of readers.
Although one might think it would be impossible to explore good vs. evil without a certain amount of rhetoric, Coelho’s approach is fresh and does not resort to the usual cliches. The heroine does not shine and the villain is a victim of circumstance. In the two characters we see both sides of ourselves.
The book reads like a morality play in that the town of Viscos is Everytown and the Stranger is Everyman. Coelho has brought on the renaissance of the parable as an art form and should be commended on his ability to explore truth without grandstanding. This is a book that should humble even the most saintly of readers.
chellereadsrd's review against another edition
1.0
Este fue el primer libro de Coelho que leí. Lamento decir que no me gustó para nada el libro. No estoy segura si era porque tenía altas expectativas de este libro, pues siempre me habían hablado maravillas de Coelho y sus libros. Sin embargo, no me gustó la forma de Coelho escribir y la historia me la encontré aburrida. En ocasiones quería simplemente dejar de leer el libro, pero quería terminarlo para por lo menos confirmar si realmente no me gustaba.
Al terminar este libro, traté de leer [b:A orillas del rio Piedra me sente y llore / Maktub / El alquimista|11635691|A orillas del rio Piedra me sente y llore / Maktub / El alquimista|Paulo Coelho|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|43346013], pero no llegué ni a las 30 páginas de este libro.
Al terminar este libro, traté de leer [b:A orillas del rio Piedra me sente y llore / Maktub / El alquimista|11635691|A orillas del rio Piedra me sente y llore / Maktub / El alquimista|Paulo Coelho|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|43346013], pero no llegué ni a las 30 páginas de este libro.
il_lit_er_ate's review against another edition
3.75
This novel explores the concept of good and evil? Are human naturally evil? The brain gears were constantly turning with this one. Coelho's writing always seems to have me think beyond the story and create my own ideas to these questions. A book thay gets me thinking is always a good sign.
kaitlyn_reads_alot's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
misfitmoxie's review against another edition
4.0
I'm one of those people who does not frighten easily, but when people refer to Hitler as a monster I feel real and true fear. To dehumanize him is to separate him from humanity and therefore the door for it happening again is not just open but torn off.
The Devil & Miss Prym attempts to put that door back on it's hinges and hopefully get it a good ways shut by demonstrating that with the right motivation we all have the capacity for good as well as for evil. It's what we choose - both in what we choose to focus on in the world, to see around us, and in what we actions we choose to make.
One of Coelho's characters comes to understand that, "The story of one person is the story of all humanity." Therefore, Mother Theresa is within all of us. So is Hitler. We must exert control over our ourselves and choose well.
On a broader spectrum, if we ill treat another we are doing harm to all humanity and to ourselves. What a great responsibility - what a great honor. While we mightn't be able to control all that happens in our lives, we can control how we respond and indeed, how we see the world around us.
The Devil & Miss Prym is a really well-told fable-like story that vividly shows us simply and solidly that our destiny, the fulfillment of our lives, is in our hands. Choose well, for yourself and for us all.
The Devil & Miss Prym attempts to put that door back on it's hinges and hopefully get it a good ways shut by demonstrating that with the right motivation we all have the capacity for good as well as for evil. It's what we choose - both in what we choose to focus on in the world, to see around us, and in what we actions we choose to make.
One of Coelho's characters comes to understand that, "The story of one person is the story of all humanity." Therefore, Mother Theresa is within all of us. So is Hitler. We must exert control over our ourselves and choose well.
On a broader spectrum, if we ill treat another we are doing harm to all humanity and to ourselves. What a great responsibility - what a great honor. While we mightn't be able to control all that happens in our lives, we can control how we respond and indeed, how we see the world around us.
The Devil & Miss Prym is a really well-told fable-like story that vividly shows us simply and solidly that our destiny, the fulfillment of our lives, is in our hands. Choose well, for yourself and for us all.