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A review by violetfeelings
The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho
1.0
This book took a lot of effort... to be read. I disliked that my digital version did not have actual page numbers and it felt like eternity reading this. I am starting to believe that the only good thing Paulo Coelho wrote is [b:The Alchemist|22715913|The Alchemist's Daughter|Mary Lawrence|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1409514716s/22715913.jpg|42243160]. I tried to dismiss this notion and give his other works benefit of the doubt, but time after time I ended up disappointed. I cannot dismiss his effort in writing this book but the content just does not shine through words. I am sure there are people who liked this book but it is jut not my cup of tea.
Simple Summary with possible major SPOILERS:
Sherine (aka Sheerene aka Hagia Sophia) goes to search for something that she feels is missing from her daily life. She is a mother to a young boy and she gets a divorce and she goes on trips around the world. (Did I mention she was adopted?) She searches for her roots and discovers that she is a gypsy-witch. At no point of this book does the author refer to her culture as Romani. (Maybe once? He keeps calling her "gypsy" which is a derogatory term.) I think the book would have worked much better if he had focused on the cultural aspect rather than just mere dancing into the spirit world. I understand how the author wanted the audience to know that the characters came to a realization that they are all connected to the spiritual being Athena called "the Mother". The book confused me towards the end where Athena becomes sort of multiple personality person rather than just sometimes possessed by other beings. Athena has gotten quite a cult following with her dance parties. However, she "got out" of that lifestyle once her message was spread but that message was widely misunderstood because she was bound to meet and influence a wide variety of people. For someone who kept looking for something "more" but got out once the going got though... it would have made more sense if Athena really died a death related to her message.
Simple Summary with possible major SPOILERS:
Sherine (aka Sheerene aka Hagia Sophia) goes to search for something that she feels is missing from her daily life. She is a mother to a young boy and she gets a divorce and she goes on trips around the world. (Did I mention she was adopted?) She searches for her roots and discovers that she is a gypsy-witch. At no point of this book does the author refer to her culture as Romani. (Maybe once? He keeps calling her "gypsy" which is a derogatory term.) I think the book would have worked much better if he had focused on the cultural aspect rather than just mere dancing into the spirit world. I understand how the author wanted the audience to know that the characters came to a realization that they are all connected to the spiritual being Athena called "the Mother". The book confused me towards the end where Athena becomes sort of multiple personality person rather than just sometimes possessed by other beings. Athena has gotten quite a cult following with her dance parties. However, she "got out" of that lifestyle once her message was spread but that message was widely misunderstood because she was bound to meet and influence a wide variety of people. For someone who kept looking for something "more" but got out once the going got though... it would have made more sense if Athena really died a death related to her message.