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the witch of portobello
July 1, 2007 | |
i have just finished reading paulo coelho’s new novel, the witch of portobello. it’s an engaging read.
the novel follows the life story of athena (a lovely and enigmatic name which i, save for the last moment, almost gave my daughter sophia emily while processing her registration papers at the local hospital where she was born), as recounted by people whose paths crossed hers at one time or another –from her abandonment at the orphanage by her gypsy mother, to her adoption by her lebanese parents, to her family’s exile in london, to her experience of young love, to her search for her roots and self-enlightenment, and finally to her descent into oblivion.
the book’s back cover says it’s "the kind of story that will transform the way readers think about love, passion, joy and sacrifice," and it does just that.
here’s a favorite quote from the book: "love is not a habit, a commitment, or a debt. it isn’t what romantic songs tell us it is — love simply is… no definitions. love and don’t ask too many questions. just love." very powerful, those words.
unlike coelho’s other works, the twist at the concluding pages made for a perfect, unpredictable ending.
