I have recently discovered a ‘new’ author, Paulo Coelho. He is Brazilian. I don’t how to express this but for people with a curious mind as mine is, you will find his books very satisfying.
I began with ” The Pilgrimage”. It took me a chapter or two before I realized that I was reading a real life story. I don’t want to spoil for anyone so please grab and read it for yourself.
After reading the Pilgrimage, I was back to the bookstore looking for more from him. I had heard about the “Alchemist” and that is what I was looking for. To my disappointment, the Alchemist seemed a tiny book and I was worried I would finish it in a flash. But it was really really good! A very satiable book. Sort of like a very delicous meal that is served so well that you don’t feel the urge to overfeed. I was content to read a couple of pages a day. (Usually I purrrrr through a book right upto the end” Not so with the Alchemist. And just so you know, not all his books are real life stories, The Alchemist is a fable.
A word of caution though. His books are not for chicken hearted people. If you get easily disturbed by stuff,. especially touching on religion, please keep off his books. His books are not religious books, and tend to delve into stuff like magic, ‘powers’ etc, but in a way that potrays the human being as a powerful being, capable of many great things, if only one learns to harness their inner power. This sort of stuff resonates much with Mwari. I am ever searching, because I keep thinking that one day, I will literary move a mountain 
What’s interesting is that he at the same tends to be very a very spiritual person, sometimes even quoting scripture from the Bible.
I will be back for another of his books, hopefully by the weekend, meaning tomorrow.
Has anyone read any of his books? What did you think of them?
This was not quite what you’d call a review, I just had to tell.
March 20, 2009 at 6:04 am
Veronica wants to die is another one of his many books that you will enjoy!
Happy reading Coelho!
March 20, 2009 at 7:43 am
I so love reading Paulo! I recommend 11 minutes!!
One other thing about his books is thats there is always something to learn from the message he conveys in his writtings.
I am currently reading Brida.
Enjoy!!.
March 20, 2009 at 12:17 pm
@ Nint – Glad to know there are others who love Coelho. I saw that one about Veronica. I am happy there is a lot to choose from.
@Maya- You’re right, there is always something to learn in his books, which is why I have come to love them so. In a way, it is like he’s got quite a bit to tell us, about life, but he tells it in a very well written story. Can’t wait to get my hands onto the next!
March 20, 2009 at 1:35 pm
This is a great author and like you Mwari, thought Alchemist was too tiny-but bwuoy, did i travel? Dont even know how I landed into Coelho but I recomend his books to everyone
March 20, 2009 at 2:30 pm
The Alchemist, intense and thought provoking, looking forward to reading more from him
March 20, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Looking for a mountain to move? We have one in Kenya called “Our Leaders”
March 20, 2009 at 3:45 pm
My favourite Paulo Coelho has to be Veronika Decides to Die. Ironically enough it was recommended to me by a friend who turned out to have suicidal tendencies…
March 21, 2009 at 10:31 am
coelho rocks. that is all i came to say. i have a number of his books too!
March 21, 2009 at 7:29 pm
I also love M.G. Vassanji. He write on old Kenya. Wonderful reading. I am currently reading Edwidge Danticat, who writes on Haiti. Adichie, a nigeria writer is alo great to read.
These writers’ materials are all availble in local U.S.
libraries.
Happy reading!
March 23, 2009 at 8:14 am
I loved the Alchemist and the Fifth mountain..Makes one think a lil bit more about life and the power we all have.
March 25, 2009 at 1:54 pm
i love coelho work. I have read ” 11 minutes,the devil and miss primm, by the rive peirda where i sat and wept among others.
Great read and thought provoking too.
March 30, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Coelho is great; sometimes, I feel like I want to enter the book and drag him back to Earth and others, I just buckle up and enjoy the ride. Most times, it’s fantastic. I was a little dissapointed to hear that he writes in Portuguese and the books are then translated which leads to loss of nuance and whatnot but small detail.
March 30, 2009 at 3:48 pm
When Alchemist came out, I had to read for myself and see what the hype was about. I enjoyed tremendously and I even had a “listening and hearing your spirit” moment… I swear.. I am not making up this stuff.
March 31, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Hi everyone,
Thank you for sharing, and for stopping by.
Strange, I seem like the only one that had never read (or heard about) Coelho!
Then I went ahead and got 2 more of Coelho’s books, i must admit it was very difficult to choose, because people recommended them all! Anyway, i just finished reading ‘Veronica decides to die’ I was a little worried about what the book would have. And just to encourage those who have not read this book, Veronica didn’t die, she went on to live, and set up a chain reaction that made other people want to live. You see, that is the thing i love about this author, in the oddest of circumstances, he manages to squeeze some useful lesson/moral/ insert appropriately .
I also got Brida, which I am delaying to start because, believe it or not, there is a John Grisham that Denzel was reading and I had started to read whenever he wasn’t , so I need to finish that first. We have started that habbit of reading the same book together so that we discuss as we read.
@ Mo – I was also alittle disappointed to learn that he doesn’t write in English, and that the books are translated from portuguese! I believe as a reader one loses a certain amount of charm. Still the books are something!
So I am now reading “The Summons ” by John Grisham. Up until now, i can’t tell where the story is headed, yet I am close to midway.
Isn’t this what we call a ‘post within a post’
So let the reading continue! Also, if you know of other great authors, please do share.
April 1, 2009 at 8:50 am
Oh “The Summons” was good!
Aren’t you lucky that Denzel reads. To have someone to discuss books with is soo much fun. Big Al does not absolutely not read novels. The only books he reads are IT books and at present “business books”. His attention span is like that of a 2 year old when it comes to reading fiction!
So what happens is that if I am hyped about a book and I HAVE TO talk to someone about it??. I tell him the story then we discuss it. You should see what that is like… him disagreeing with something then me getting in his face saying “you haven’t even read the book.. how can you say that is what the author means”
wacha tu.
April 8, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Hi Mrembo,
I seem to be taking long with ‘The Summons’, I am yet to get to the end of the book. I felt that he dangled the carrot for too long with this book. I am normally racing with adrenalin when reading John Grisham books, yet I find that with this one, I am yet to begin the race. I worry the money will be stolen before we know the source. Also, I feel that Grisham will drop a bomb at the last sentence, you know what i mean. When you read 300 pages, and the mystery is solved at the last sentence. With the other books, it is like i am with him solving/unravelling the mystery…I also feel he is dwelling too much on the (bad)eating habit of the Rex guy…
Denzel also didn’t read much before, infact it is quite a surprise that he now reads. And because he accuses me of being rigid in other things, he now tells me, ” see, now I read novels, so you also need to start doing a)…b)…c)’ list is long. In short, take heart, Big Al will join you if you continue telling him how good the books are.. I agree, it is nice when you can discuss the story.
April 8, 2009 at 7:57 pm
I have been reading his monthy updates to his readers and I like his line of thought, I haven’t tried any of his books….sadly…but after I just read your post I guess I will treat myself to one of them….
May 4, 2009 at 3:05 pm
No Mwari…i dont have a recollection of having read these books…am a poor reader…but for being honest, please accept a honesty award at mine…you are tagged
October 25, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Don’t know why, but I revisited this post, I went ahead and read almost all his other books, including his latest, ” The winner stands alone”. Somebody, tell me of a new smashing author….