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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It wasn't difficult getting through this book; it was simply difficult to find the motivation to read it once I began. It's a fast read, as most of his works are, but once again I was left asking the question "Why?" What is the point? The story is about Athena who closer to the end of the book is called "the witch of Portobello" because of her pagan rituals and connection to "the Goddess." She's on a spiritual journey to discover herself. Her story is told by a number of different narrators, and I must agree with another reviewer who said that each narrator has the same voice. This story could have been told by one easily, though inevitably it wouldn't matter. Athena's story wouldn't be made more interesting by doing so.
The only reason I keep reading Coelho's work is because I was so inspired by his ideas in "By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept." But at this point, I'm eager to try on a different author. This story felt to me like "Brida 2.0." It was less spiritual for me though and more about the day to day life of someone taking this journey. But it's not compelling or thought-provoking. Then again, neither was "Brida." It's just another story that warps the basics of Christianity in what seems to be an effort to connect people with their more natural selves. Ok, we get it. We're all one in nature. God is in everything. Well, I believed that already and I'm a Christian, so I didn't learn anything from Athena's lessons on finding one's self. I was very disappointed.
The only reason I keep reading Coelho's work is because I was so inspired by his ideas in "By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept." But at this point, I'm eager to try on a different author. This story felt to me like "Brida 2.0." It was less spiritual for me though and more about the day to day life of someone taking this journey. But it's not compelling or thought-provoking. Then again, neither was "Brida." It's just another story that warps the basics of Christianity in what seems to be an effort to connect people with their more natural selves. Ok, we get it. We're all one in nature. God is in everything. Well, I believed that already and I'm a Christian, so I didn't learn anything from Athena's lessons on finding one's self. I was very disappointed.
This was an interesting book - I read it as a book club selection. There were times when it definitely grabbed me and times when I could take it or leave it. All in all, though, well written and interesting to read.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have never in my life wanted to throw a book in the garbage until reading this. I forced myself to get halfway through before giving up.
Excellent! Excellent!
I’m stingy with my stars, but I may end up giving this 5 stars after it’s had time to settle. Absolutely gorgeous book.
I’m stingy with my stars, but I may end up giving this 5 stars after it’s had time to settle. Absolutely gorgeous book.
Not a standard approach to telling a story. The writing style is engaging and the content reflective. It is the story of a mysterious woman named Sherine Khalil, aka Athena, told by the many who knew her well—or hardly at all. She is dead as the book opens, the story recounts her birth in Transylvania to a Gypsy mother, her adoption by wealthy Lebanese Christians; her short, early marriage to a man she meets at a London college (one of the interviewees); her son Viorel's birth; and her stint selling real estate in Dubai. Back in London in the book's second half, Athena learns to harness the powers that have been present but inchoate within her, and the story picks up as she acquires a teacher (Deidre O'Neill, aka Edda, another interviewee), then disciples (also interviewed), and speeds toward the end.
I was actually disappointed by this book. I read it and kept expecting it to get better. In the end full of pagan witchcraft cliches.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No