The Witch of Portobello
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Review
Praise for the Witch of Portobello:
‘Filled with Coelho’s recurring themes – spirituality, destiny, freedom – this is a riveting and inspiring read.’ Belfast Telegraph
‘Paulo Coelho successfully defines the undefinable and possesses the skill to handle the abstract without being too confusing or vague.’ Irish Mail on Sunday
Praise for Paulo Coelho:
‘An exceptional writer.' USA Today
‘His books have had a life-enhancing impact on millions of people.’ Times
‘One of the few to deserve the term “Publishing Phenomenon”.’ Independent on Sunday
‘Coelho’s writing is beautifully poetic but his message is what counts…he gives me hope and puts a smile on my face.’ Daily Express
Review
Praise for Paulo Coelho: 'An exceptional writer.' USA Today 'His books have had a life-enhancing impact on millions of people.' Times 'One of the few to deserve the term "Publishing Phenomenon".' Independent on Sunday 'Coelho's writing is beautifully poetic but his message is what counts!he gives me hope and puts a smile on my face.' Daily Express '"The Alchemist" is a beautiful book about magic, dreams and the treasures we seek elsewhere and then find on our doorstep.' Madonna 'It's like music, really, the way he writes, it's so beautiful. It's a gift that I envy above all others.' Julia Roberts
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Paulo Coelho of international fame for his book The Alchemist has here in The Witch of Portobello has woven a very unique and compelling tale. Part of what draws the reader in is the story itself and part is the very unique way it is written. Rather than a straight forward narrative, or a dialogue or even a series of letters this is a unique narrative technique. It is written as a series of first person accounts of individuals interactions with our unusual heroine Athena aka the Witch of Portobello.
These stories, taped interviews and letters have been compiled by a narrator we do not know until the end of the story. He has decided to let Athena's story be told as other's tell it, through their own words, and with all of their emotions, anger, support, respect or disgust. What we learn from these accounts is not only is Athena a bit of an enigma, from these accounts we could almost assume that almost every person encountered a different Athena, an Athena of the making in their own mind. The way the 'biography' is written it allows us to draw our own conclusions, rather than a traditionally researched biography that is colored by the lenses that cloud the vision of the biographer. Much as each of us look at the world through a series of lenses of our experiences, and cultural biases.
Athena is a young woman who tries to fill the spaces, the silences in her life. The more she tries to fill them the more dissatisfied she becomes. Until she learns that it is the silences between the notes that make the music so powerful. When she learns to embrace the silence, the spaces, she finds a power an energy. She becomes a spiritual leader, some see her as a saint and some see her as a sinner. She is both revered and feared. A saint and a demon. The compiled documents help us to see Athena for who she was.
So join our unknown biographer as we trace the life of a murdered young woman and journey around the world and into an unseen spiritual world. This book is better than some of Coelho's more recent offerings, and the narrative tool will draw you in and keep you turning the pages.
A warning though the book deals with earth religions and has some new age ceremonies in it, therefore it will not be for all readers.
(First Published in Imprint 2007-05-18 in the 'Book Review Column.)
These stories, taped interviews and letters have been compiled by a narrator we do not know until the end of the story. He has decided to let Athena's story be told as other's tell it, through their own words, and with all of their emotions, anger, support, respect or disgust. What we learn from these accounts is not only is Athena a bit of an enigma, from these accounts we could almost assume that almost every person encountered a different Athena, an Athena of the making in their own mind. The way the 'biography' is written it allows us to draw our own conclusions, rather than a traditionally researched biography that is colored by the lenses that cloud the vision of the biographer. Much as each of us look at the world through a series of lenses of our experiences, and cultural biases.
Athena is a young woman who tries to fill the spaces, the silences in her life. The more she tries to fill them the more dissatisfied she becomes. Until she learns that it is the silences between the notes that make the music so powerful. When she learns to embrace the silence, the spaces, she finds a power an energy. She becomes a spiritual leader, some see her as a saint and some see her as a sinner. She is both revered and feared. A saint and a demon. The compiled documents help us to see Athena for who she was.
So join our unknown biographer as we trace the life of a murdered young woman and journey around the world and into an unseen spiritual world. This book is better than some of Coelho's more recent offerings, and the narrative tool will draw you in and keep you turning the pages.
A warning though the book deals with earth religions and has some new age ceremonies in it, therefore it will not be for all readers.
(First Published in Imprint 2007-05-18 in the 'Book Review Column.)
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm not really sure how to review this book. It's so completely different to anything I've ever read. I'm therefore not going to try to analyse it, because there are some fantastic reviews for this book, and I know mine will not be of the same standard. So I'm basically just going to write down my thoughts, and how the book made me feel.
The main character, Athena, discovers that there could be more to life after going to her neighbour's flat to complain about the loud music. What she sees when she arrives is a group of people dancing around to music - eyes closed, unaware of anything around them. She questions this with her neighbour who advises that he'd found some writing from his father, that spoke about dancing being a way to connect the participants to their inner self, and in turn to the light and The Mother. Athena then embarks on her own spiritual journey. This book is more of a spiritual life lesson than a fiction novel. There is no real plotline - Athena travels around and learns lessons, but thats the extent of the storyline. This doesn't matter though, as it's the meaning behind the plot that makes this book so wonderful.
I think that the fact that it is told from multiple narrators really enhances the story. It is interesting to hear the different opinions on Athena and her teachings. I've encountered multiple narration in other books and hated it, but in this book it works very well. My only criticism is that because the characters are never really explored in depth, sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between the different narrators, however this is a minimal issue.
I found this book very empowering. It has definitely opened up my eyes to spirituality as a whole. I think I am generally a spiritual person, but I haven't really read too much around this particular subject. I have always been interested in the paranormal and mediums and such like, however I've never been very religious. I like the notion put forward by the book that there is a female divinity, and this is something that I would like to investigate further.
The book addresses the issues of religion, and the church's attitude to anything other than its own views. Whilst I appreciate that the church is (generally) more relaxed now than it was them, it still throws forward the argument that unless you agree with their teachings and ways of life, you are seen as the enemy.
After reading the book, somehow I felt more in touch with myself, although I haven't attempted to practice any of the methods Athena uses. I think it's because the book teaches us that we each carve our own way in the world. We can be guided by people, but ultimately it is the individual that possesses the power to really make a difference in their own lives. It teaches us that whilst we may think we're happy, if we take a step back and really look, there is so much more left to discover.
The main character, Athena, discovers that there could be more to life after going to her neighbour's flat to complain about the loud music. What she sees when she arrives is a group of people dancing around to music - eyes closed, unaware of anything around them. She questions this with her neighbour who advises that he'd found some writing from his father, that spoke about dancing being a way to connect the participants to their inner self, and in turn to the light and The Mother. Athena then embarks on her own spiritual journey. This book is more of a spiritual life lesson than a fiction novel. There is no real plotline - Athena travels around and learns lessons, but thats the extent of the storyline. This doesn't matter though, as it's the meaning behind the plot that makes this book so wonderful.
I think that the fact that it is told from multiple narrators really enhances the story. It is interesting to hear the different opinions on Athena and her teachings. I've encountered multiple narration in other books and hated it, but in this book it works very well. My only criticism is that because the characters are never really explored in depth, sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between the different narrators, however this is a minimal issue.
I found this book very empowering. It has definitely opened up my eyes to spirituality as a whole. I think I am generally a spiritual person, but I haven't really read too much around this particular subject. I have always been interested in the paranormal and mediums and such like, however I've never been very religious. I like the notion put forward by the book that there is a female divinity, and this is something that I would like to investigate further.
The book addresses the issues of religion, and the church's attitude to anything other than its own views. Whilst I appreciate that the church is (generally) more relaxed now than it was them, it still throws forward the argument that unless you agree with their teachings and ways of life, you are seen as the enemy.
After reading the book, somehow I felt more in touch with myself, although I haven't attempted to practice any of the methods Athena uses. I think it's because the book teaches us that we each carve our own way in the world. We can be guided by people, but ultimately it is the individual that possesses the power to really make a difference in their own lives. It teaches us that whilst we may think we're happy, if we take a step back and really look, there is so much more left to discover.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Such a shame given how much I enjoyed the Alchemist and maybe I was wrong to expect something similarly rewarding. What I found instead was a meandering affair, poorly written and with the main subject, 'Athena' lacking any real depth of character and no credibility. In fact, it amazed me that we should be asked to believe that any of the other characters she met on her journey should be so taken with her on the basis of her shallowness - or maybe it was that the reader was expected to see more in her than I did. In any event, I feel that this particular work of Coelho is sadly, pretty feeble.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Best novel I've read in years!
Beware, this book is addictive! I couldn't put it down from page 1 to 268.
It's captivating and really questions some of your own values and beliefs. Read more
It's captivating and really questions some of your own values and beliefs. Read more
Published 1 month ago by australiaabroad
Very beautiful story
I absolutely love Paulo Coelho's writing skills. He's on my top four favorite writers! He and Elizabeth Kostova, Anne Fortier and Haruki Murakami! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Merle
Which Witch
This novel is about a mysterious woman called Athena, and her spiritual journey toward. and knowledge of the Mother Goddess, and the involvement of those she meets in her and their... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Susan Walker
Just go with Coelho's flow
Paulo Coelho is a difficult writer to come to terms with. If you look for something too hard and fast you won't find it. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mick Read
The Witch of Portobello review
Again, another book which I couldnt put down. I dont follow the "witches" path in any shape or form, other than the love they believe in in its pure sense... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Gabsygirly
Brilliant!
An amazing story that evokes so many emotions, in my eyes one of Paulo's best! If you have read other books you may notice one or two similarities in quotes used from other books,... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Little Bee
Won Me Round, Eventually
I have always loved Paolo Coelho books but I started to read this a few months ago and really couldn't get into it. Read more
Published on 23 May 2010 by Geekerella
The Witch of Portobello
Not my favourite Paulo Coelho book, quite hard to get into because many different peoples views on this lady, changing from chapter to chapter but then at the end it does come... Read more
Published on 7 July 2009 by Snow White
Bewitchingly bad
I thoroughly recommend that you read this book just so you can appreciate good literature. You cannot truly appreciate what is good without recognising what is awful. Read more
Published on 26 May 2009 by OB1
Poorly written, load of mumbo-jumbo
As someone who has enjoyed Coehlo's other works, I had high hopes for this book. I read half-way through however, and by this point I was still waiting for the book to 'start'. Read more
Published on 26 Nov 2008 by Jagz777
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