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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
I have yet to read a Paulo Coehlo book that I didn't enjoy. Thought provoking prose and restlessness bubbling beneath the pages. This is an autobiographical book of sorts as we follow Karla and Paulo on a trip to Nepal. The story weaves in and out of focus as we delve into individual stories. I enjoyed reading this book (lazily) on weekends.
At some points, I felt the events didn't necessarily align with the story (for me) but maybe they did for the author. I mean it's Paulo Coehlo. I cannot possibly begin to understand all the underlying stories and euphemisms.
At some points, I felt the events didn't necessarily align with the story (for me) but maybe they did for the author. I mean it's Paulo Coehlo. I cannot possibly begin to understand all the underlying stories and euphemisms.
Though I am basically not in agreement with many of their thoughts and philosophies, just started to fall in love with the Hippies through the midway of the book. Coelho has a magical writing, I admit, which creates an obsession in the reader without his/her knowledge. One enjoys the journey throughout the book, also becoming able to raise an independence of their own which the Hippies secretly inculcate in the reader. The book concludes with the ultimatum that love is the answer for every quests...be it any journey started with a different question. Inexplicable as it is, love quenches all of our desires while remaining obscure and beautiful.
Loved reading the book.
Loved spending time with the hippies.
Loved knowing love!
Loved reading the book.
Loved spending time with the hippies.
Loved knowing love!
"Then seek the Truth. Seek always to be on its side, even when it brings you pain. There are times when the Truth goes quiet for long stretches, or when it doesn’t tell you what you want to hear."
Much like the character who goes on a journey hoping to find something different, you pick up this book hoping it's something different, not another John Green-esque love story. And just like the character who ends up returning home you inevitably want to return to the first half of the book, the part that was ACTUALLY any good.
Maybe reading an autobiographical book written from the third-person POV should be a red flag. I admit, I am a sucker for the whole "let's leave everything behind and travel because we're rich like that" storyline and the whole angry-girl falls for guy-who-seems-boring-but-is-actually-suuuuper-wise clichè, but the only way I can describe Karla is by using the term manic pixie dream girl. That's just what she is. Her only personality trait is hating mainstream touristic attractions and thinking she can't ever love anybody, which fair enough, she's a moody teenage girl, but why she is so annoying with her superiority complex disguised as exuding mystery I can not tell.
I'd say Paulo was a decent guy, if this whole book didn't feel like an ego-boost. "Look!! I made this super hot girl (which I mention like 20 times) fall for me! And then I left her! Ha! Cuz I'm enlightened like that!". Oh Paulo, you little narcissist.
Still, this book was an easy and enjoyable read for the better half of it. I actually hoped I'd get to read about Nepal, but guess I just settled for Istanbul. Would I recommend others read it? Go ahead. Especially if you're into YA and spirituality this will be just the thing for you. The "vibe" of it was very fitting, if nothing else, characters who suffer from special snowflake syndrome, a journey that you don't get to see completed, at least the atmosphere and world-building were on point. And who knows, maybe Coelho really is an excellent writer, but this was certainly not his magnum opus.
Much like the character who goes on a journey hoping to find something different, you pick up this book hoping it's something different, not another John Green-esque love story. And just like the character who ends up returning home you inevitably want to return to the first half of the book, the part that was ACTUALLY any good.
Maybe reading an autobiographical book written from the third-person POV should be a red flag. I admit, I am a sucker for the whole "let's leave everything behind and travel because we're rich like that" storyline and the whole angry-girl falls for guy-who-seems-boring-but-is-actually-suuuuper-wise clichè, but the only way I can describe Karla is by using the term manic pixie dream girl. That's just what she is. Her only personality trait is hating mainstream touristic attractions and thinking she can't ever love anybody, which fair enough, she's a moody teenage girl, but why she is so annoying with her superiority complex disguised as exuding mystery I can not tell.
I'd say Paulo was a decent guy, if this whole book didn't feel like an ego-boost. "Look!! I made this super hot girl (which I mention like 20 times) fall for me! And then I left her! Ha! Cuz I'm enlightened like that!". Oh Paulo, you little narcissist.
Still, this book was an easy and enjoyable read for the better half of it. I actually hoped I'd get to read about Nepal, but guess I just settled for Istanbul. Would I recommend others read it? Go ahead. Especially if you're into YA and spirituality this will be just the thing for you. The "vibe" of it was very fitting, if nothing else, characters who suffer from special snowflake syndrome, a journey that you don't get to see completed, at least the atmosphere and world-building were on point. And who knows, maybe Coelho really is an excellent writer, but this was certainly not his magnum opus.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Truth's ultimate definition. It is not that which gives us certainty. It is not that which gives us profound thoughts. It is not that which makes us better than others. It is not that which makes us prisoners to our own prejudices. The Truth is what makes us free. You will know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free
Interesting... memoir? Found certain parts very interesting (like LSD trip, the background stories of some of the travelers). Some of the quotes were absolutely gorgeous. Some just too bizarre to make sense of. Couldn't vibe with the book.
Interesting... memoir? Found certain parts very interesting (like LSD trip, the background stories of some of the travelers). Some of the quotes were absolutely gorgeous. Some just too bizarre to make sense of. Couldn't vibe with the book.
This one fed my travel bug!! Really enjoyed it but it really seemed to lose momentum towards the end, like it seemed like there was more that should’ve happened and then the book just ended...I’d probably give this so so close to a 4 star, or at least 3.75 I really enjoyed it.
Coelho’s writing is stunning. I enjoyed the heck out of this book.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes