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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
Decent book. A little too overtly spiritual for my taste.
Very interesting read. Paulo Coelho's mystical writing style runs true and deep in this novel.
I was genuinely enjoying this quite a bit, but I felt it just petered out at the end, and I really didn't understand why the ending was the way it was. The book it brought most to mind was the Celestine Prophecy, which I enjoyed as a teenager, but also found the ending silly. I didn't understand the point of the twist, such as it was--kind of shot the attempted meaning of the book in the foot, I thought--and I didn't even vaguely understand the point of the boyfriend. It really seemed to have nothing to do with anything, except maybe to emphasize Athena's, well, selfishness and manipulation.
My curiosity is sufficiently aroused to read more of Coelho's work. I see bits and pieces of his social media posts occasionally and he seems like an intelligent, interesting person, and this was an interesting book until the last quarter or so.
I guess if you like the Celestine Prophecy or similar philosophical novels, give this a go. From what I can tell from other sources that is a regular theme with Coelho's work, so I guess give him a go in general, if you haven't already.
My curiosity is sufficiently aroused to read more of Coelho's work. I see bits and pieces of his social media posts occasionally and he seems like an intelligent, interesting person, and this was an interesting book until the last quarter or so.
I guess if you like the Celestine Prophecy or similar philosophical novels, give this a go. From what I can tell from other sources that is a regular theme with Coelho's work, so I guess give him a go in general, if you haven't already.
Reading another book from Coelho has been a joy. I found myself more conflicted with emotions while reading this book. Athena since of restless and wanting to know more the world resonated with me the most. Often times, I find myself trying to figure out where my next adventure would be and how will I get there. When Athena did an exercise and said “earth, scared..” I began to wonder how I would have responded during that exercise.
Below is just some thoughts I had throughout the book….
In the beginning, Athena married a man, he decided that she was not open enough to his love, they bore a child and then he asked for a divorce. Years later while her ex-husband was married to someone else he asked her if Athena ever loved him. Athena told him she was taught to not show emotions after… she said this because her ex-husband asks why she didn’t show emotions when he asked her for a divorce.
After living on her own with her son, she began to learn about a dance that put her in a trance. From that trance, she felt like she needs to get in touch with what was missing in her life. She went looking for her birth mom and met a man who loved her but he was spoken for already. She began teaching her ways to the man’s wife.… things escalated from there…
Athena other half of her whole, Agatha speak of love and passion in a way that I never thought could be expressed. I can not help but wonder how Paulo Coelho writes about love in such unique manners.
Awakening suppressed energy is a theme that constantly appears in this book and I was following every word.
The love Athena speaks about when she talks about her son is earth-shattering. She said that “love is just is.”
I think the divorce was one of the best things that happened to her because it allowed her to open herself to the elements and her heritage.
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story is kind of interesting but the wisdom imparted in the book kept me turning the pages. Coelho explores the female side of divinity and takes you on a spiritual journey covering the Balkans, Europe and the Middle East. Not a cliff hanger but definitely thought provoking.
This was incredible. It was bought for my wife by a good friend of ours about 12 years ago and sat on the book shelf for as long.
The timing was good for me as the spiritual elements of the book tie in nicely with some of my philosophical meanderings right now.
This is right in wheelhouse at the moment, as I fill my 'empty spaces' with being busy, although 'watching television' is being busy and fills my spaces pretty well, maybe too well.
The timing was good for me as the spiritual elements of the book tie in nicely with some of my philosophical meanderings right now.
"I dance when ever I can, but music only exists because the pauses exist, and sentences only exist because the blank spaces exist. When I'm doing something, I feel complete, but no one can keep active twenty-four hours a day. As soon as I stop, I feel there's something lacking. You've often said to me that I'm a naturally restless person, but I didn't choose to be that way. I'd like to sit here quietly, watching television, but I can't. My brain won't stop. Sometimes I think I'm going mad. I need always to be dancing, writing, selling land, taking care of Viorel, or reading whatever I find to read. Do think that's normal?"
This is right in wheelhouse at the moment, as I fill my 'empty spaces' with being busy, although 'watching television' is being busy and fills my spaces pretty well, maybe too well.
Probably deserved closer to a three than a two but selected my rating based on the Goodreads tooltips where 2/5 means that "It was OK" and 3/5 means that "I liked it". I think if you're into books that make you think - and, in this case, books that make you think about religion/spiritualism - you may enjoy this. I think I prefer stories. That said, I quite liked the approach the author took to writing this where each chapter was an interview with a different character - and the twist at the end was pretty cool too :) It's easy to read so worth a try. Just not really my cup of tea.
I loved this so much. So magical, whimsical, and important messages. I will absolutely be rereading this.
Powerful, mystical, and mesmerizing. A restless, young woman with the help of "teachers" from different cultures comes to know the Earth Mother. Told through interviews with those who know her.