This space is for the readers who have read the book. All critics, positive or negative, will be put here, and we will only exclude those that are offensive and aggressive. To criticize and to comment is something natural, we will be very strict leaving this space only for those who read “The Witch of Portobello”. For those who still haven’t read the first chapters you can click on the column at the right side of the screen. Meanwhile the comments there will be closed.”
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Best Regards,
Paula Braconnot
Coelho is simply a perfectionist in terms of reading through mind of every individual, I believe, so could have this sort of art be created. ‘The Eleven Minutes’ put me into thoughts that how many in the world would have been happily married and how many were sharing??? While this world is losing the love it deserves someone like coelho needs to show up in other to make people realised what actually love and care means….
01 Feb 2010 ~
For the first time, the book spoke to me, Paulo spoke to me, the witch spoke to me. I had to read 2.3.8. pages, numerous words, countless sentences, even reread some paragraphs, but finally, the spirit of the book spoke to me. I had reached a point where while reading, I had started imagining where on my bookshelf I would place the paperback – in the cherished ‘keep’ section, or with the ‘free to give away’ section, particularly since the number of pages left to read are stacked thin enough in my right hand for me to feel the warmth of my fingers through the last pages with my thumb.
The witch, Athena, was being tested. She returned to her teacher, I imagine in an effort to escape from the battle ground so commonly referred to as the ‘real world’, seeking guidance, protection perhaps – all those things she would eventually have to pull out of herself. It spoke to me – this scene. Where is my safe haven? Where do I go to quiet the mind?
p.237-238
‘When the flames had burned down, I took a little ash and sprinkled it on Athena’s head. Then with my feet I erased the circle I’d drawn around her.
“Thank you,” she said. “I felt very LOVED, WANTED, PROTECTED.”
“In difficult moments, remember that feeling.”
“Now that I’ve found my path, there will be no more difficult moments. After all, I have a mission to fulfill, don’t I?”
“Yes, we all have a mission to fulfill.”
She started to feel uncertain.
“And what about the difficult moments?” she asked.
“That isn’t an intelligent thing to ask. Remember what you said just now: you are LOVED, WANTED, PROTECTED.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Her eyes filled with tears. Athena had understood my answer.”‘
Ahh…how I relate to Athena’s desire to seek assurance that after surrendering to one’s life’s mission, the difficulties stop challenging us. You can be sure that you’ve just crossed to the other side of the most challenging battle you’ll ever have to face, and even before you seek out water to quench your parched mouth and replenish your feeble core, you want to know that the worst is behind you, that there is no longer a need to survive through another test because ‘whatever doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger’ no longer applies. You want to be assured that you no longer have to become stronger. You have arrived at your destination. You want to know that you can move forward without needing to climb anymore. No more climbing, no more scraped knees, no more running from fears, scrambling for shelter when the outside conditions become too harsh. You just want to know that you’ve faced the worst, and that just for surviving, you’ve won peace of mind, peace of body, peace of soul.
But, I’m starting to see that I’ve only just begun lighting a flame to my kindling.
It might be a funny question but do you think Heron Ryan killed her eventually?
my question is not exactly related to the story meaning it’s just my quriosity!!!!!!!!!!
Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.
WOP is a superb book. Loved reading it till the end. Bit disappointed the way it ended for the once courageous Athena hiding behind a corpse so that the world wont trouble or misunderstand her was, I felt not how a real Athena would probably react.
Paulo, You have a wonderful gift given by God (Goddess) and the way the almighty manifests Himself in you leaves anyone who comes in contact with you, even remotely (like me), blessed.
More than the story, your words inspire wisdom and confidence in me and in my plan to read all your works, I lay down The Witch of Portobello in my library, planning to read it again…
Hi.
This book was given to me about a year ago. I decided to pick it up when going on a trip out to Colorado for a college visit. It felt like magic, like I chose a somewhat magical time to read it and learn more about myself at the perfect time. Still under the house and rules of my parents I find it to keep my world hidden from them. They think I’m crazy for talking to the spirits I see and feel everyday etc…hah who would blame them I guess. Anyways, this book was just another addition/hint that I’m being told that there is an underground movement on the way! I finally have refused to go to the Catholic Church I have been forced to go to since I was in the womb and taking my faith in my own direction. So thank you! You’re book taught me thing I can and never would take back. This is the kind of book to read from, not the ones they hand us in school. Once again thank you! You’re message will stay with me forever.
From the book “The Alchemist” here comes another heart and spirit moving book “The Witch Of Portobello”. These books teaches and shares different life’s structures. This reached my deepest individuality and motivated me to live life at it’s best, pleasing before my Creator’s Eyes.
“Life is too short to waste away.”
“Life is a journey that we all traveled-in there ain’t short ways nor smooth walks alone neither a promise of non-stumbled steps and the goal of reaching the ‘Finish Line’ is still a mystery for us but one thing is sure; a ‘Finish Line’ wouldn’t feel overwhelming and achieving if you wouldn’t bend your neck back and take a peek from your ‘Starting Line’.”- Yna Legaspi
I was too taken up the way heron loved athena. But when athena spoke of love, a hidden part of me emerged and smiled at the heron part of me. Then I realized for a moment that love cannot be possessed, but that s all had been seeking to do all along.
May this state last.
Thank you of course. :)
My book club is currently reading WOP. I was immediately struck by the structure, at first not understanding the italics, then realizing the boyfriend from Scotland Yard was real. I will discuss WOP on 9-9-09 if all goes as planned. A sign I just discovered while writing this.
I am also following the sign of Eliade’s name showing up twice this month for me. I watched the movie, “Youth Without Youth”,recently which is based on his book. Then my husband has “The Sacred and The Profane” on his bookshelf for 10 years.
So this book really does teach….many things.
Thank you.
Dear Mr.Paulo,
something strange happened to me before i read this novel ,I was having a hard time understanding this world
I’m living in ,we just can’t fit together ,and once me and my friend were talking about it and that we may belong to
the next century… a year after that i was reading your novel and you just been talking about the same idea literally .
any way i red many of your novels i loved them all but this one is way different it’s magical it’s change the reader
mindset just like Athena’s dancing .
thank you for writing such a book.
The part of myself that I was once ashamed of, I learned to understand and love and be proud of… this was through the help of this book. The Witch of Portebello served as one of the instruments that made me realize how empowered I am as a woman.
I’ve nearly finished this amazing book & went on here to find out where I can listen to this music. Please please can someone tell me!!
Hi Paulo
First I will say thank you for your very inspiring books. Your book `The Alcymist` is and will for ever be the best book I have ever read – calling it a book is not fair – because the Alchemist is more than just a book – it is magic book which change it’s message for the reader each time its read. The Alchemist has given me; hope, joy and wisdom in times in my life where no light was to find in the dark space I was in.
I have also read other of your books and latest I have read `The Witch of Portobello`. It is an inspiring story, even though there is something in the book there leave me unsatisfied. I know that book have had an impact on me (because I have never ever even considered writing to a blog). I finished reading the book yesterday and since then my thoughts keep discussing whether the book “just was a good story” or if there is more into the story. Please do not write that was your intention (to leave the reader with questions) – the Alchemist is a book that I have read several times because it keeps teasing my thoughts, but The Witch of Portobeloo – have an effects on me, as if I have read an unfinished book (I do not wish to offend you – I just want to understand my thoughts about the book).
My questions/comments for you:
•What will you say to my hypothesis; the story is not about finding meaningfulness by Athenas way of living but let the reader reflect about, how easy it is to let us be seduced by charismatic persons and the our wish to find easy solutions where need others to out our empty spaces between the letter (the space can only be filled out by the individual who have courage, patience and is able to reflect).
Athena manage to learn a lot about her self and the spiritual world, but she never learns anything about understanding others or do things for other people unselfishly (everything is about what she needs). I understand that as humans, we can learn and be enlighten by wisdom but that is not any guarantee that we will keep acting differently or realize how we keep the path there have been enlighten to us. Is that what the story is about?
Why did she need to make it look as she was killed, that just do not give any meaning for me?
Why did her boyfriend need to set the story right by telling her story…? The story will only be read of the group of people who is already open-minded for that world she represents. She would have achieved more by staying and facing the challenges. A boyfriend who is not interested in her spiritual way of living – why would he even consider writing that story about her?
Why and how can a person who is trying to understand the meaningfulness in life – be so shallow as Athena– she have no interest in others besides herself and her son?
- I truly believe we all have a path individually and collectively, I also believe that our challenge as humans it is about finding a balance between having courage to challenge our self’s/surroundings, be grateful (the most difficult challenge we have as humans), and find meaningfulness of our life’s (as said in the book – joy can be find even when we wash dishes).
When you finished writing the book – what was your own instinct by the book?
I would be gratefull if you have a comment our two about my thoughts. – I now what I writing is proberly confussing, but I need to write you now before I convince my self, that writing my questions is trivial!
I will be looking forward to read more of your books.
Best wishes and regards,
Ouarda
I’m confused as to what is the 4th stage of individual progress? persona, shadow, soul, and ?
can you explain a bit on that and how it is different from the soul of the world?
Dear Sir,
This is the latest book of yours that i’ve finished. As usual, it’s a great one.
if i may, i’d like to ask you one question. From my point of view, i see that your recent books are more “feminine” now. It’s all about women.
I don’t want to sound too sexist or what. It’s just a curiosity of mine, do you have any particular reason to write in such theme?
If you find that my questions are offensive or improper, please don’t hesitate to delete this post, and i really apologize in advance if my post is inappropriate.
Thanks
after reading this wonderful book, i was once again reminded to trust my instincts more, and just enjoy the moment. hanging on to things not meant to be ours for an entire lifetime only puts an anchor around our necks and weighs us down.
thank you for reminding us to be light…weight-less.
I have recently finished The Witch of Portobello… I am SO grateful for this book!
First, I take S-Factor, which is Organic Feminine Movement (which happens to be pole dancing! I paraphrase Sheila Kelley who says in S-Factor she’s returning fire to the natives from whom it was stolen to begin with) into which I enter a non-rhythmic purely intuitive state (on my best days) and feel, truly, as though I am in touch with divinity living inside my body and in a space of pure Zen.
Second, I have taken classes at the School of Womanly Arts in New York City, and, as I am an engineer, and raised inside a very left-brained construct, some of what happened in the course of my association with this group was very confronting…but then again some of my biggest life learning has come in a Zen Koan style of paradox and surrender. Your book has provided an excellent reflection of what I experienced with that group, and the difference between “The Tradition” and left-brained teacher/student relationships… The book assisted me to hang a thought onto the construct of the Feminine form of teaching and say, “Oh, there it is again” and helps my ego to let go and understand that all really is well.
Thank you for the deconstructed structure of this book, which seems to be an apt way to write in alignment with such a non-linear thing as the path of the goddess.
Best,
Kat
This book changed my life. And even tho I am extremely ill after childbirth and am blessed with my daughters presence for as long as I can :) I am prouder than I could ever imagine that she has been given the name Athena. And I hope she finds the love and inspiration in the book as I did <3
Hello
I loved the book. I am lebanese and i was happy to read that the roots of sherin are lebanese. However, i would have liked it more if you have mentioned that lebanon later on risurged from its conflicts to gain its previous glamour as swizerland of the middle east.
I just finished reading The Witch of Portobello and I loved it. Specially the beginning of the book the way Sherine finds herself, finds the way to get in touch with the vertex and the dance and the calligraphy and the empty spaces. Those parts were perfect. To me more than just a book, just a fiction. To me those were the guide or teacher for me. The end starting from the crouds following Sherine were fiction. So I am not impressed through the end but still I loved the book. I want to reach the vertex. I am looking for Diedrov and I want to find out the music that I can dance to see the light.
I read ‘The witch of Portobello’ I think 1 month ago and Ireally wanted to tell you that it impressed me very much, especially by changhing my way of seeing the world. Now I can say that I am more myself, just because I discovered a little Atena in mysel, a part that I knew that exists, but never let it free. So this book is brilliant and it really made me free my mind. ‘The witch of Portobello’ is pure art!:)
I finished reading this novel recently, and have to honestly say that it had a hugely profound effect on my life and the way in which I view the world.
All I can say is thank you.
I have just finished the book (10 March 2009) and enjoyed it thoroughly. Loved the closing line that ‘Love simply is’ I definitely relate to this.
Thanks for another work of art!
Markc777
Hello.
I have just read the book online and have to say it’s such a wonderful tale to read as defined by the stories of ‘others’ – but also what a great blueprint for the video competition; moving so fluidly from one media to another.
Thank you for having made the book available online and free to readers.
Best wishes ;o)
Hi..This is my first time to write on your blog.I hope i my question will be answered..thanks…
I’m still reading the The Witch of Portobello, i find it very interesting but i found things I really don’t understand, the “dance”, how can I be in the state of a “trance”?..
please explain it to me..
Brian, PH
Dear Paulo, me and all those million of people who had read your books are really lucky that we are living in the era of you. Your books not inspired us but also became mentor to guiding us. I have already read Alchemist, The Warrior of the light, Zahir, Eleven Minutes and now The Witch of Portobello. Thanks for sharing your wonderful work with us.
Ali Jamil, Sharjah, UAE
Dear sir,
Thanks for a great read- Witch of portobello. You a true inspiration. When i grow up, i want to be like you:)
Many thanks
Señor Paulo Coelho:
Quiero agradecerle y brindarle mi mayor admioración hacia usted porque en mis ratos libres leo sus libros, hace años que los vengo leyendo. Con mis recientes 18 años me encuentro feliz de haberme enterado que se ha filmado una película sobre mi libro preferido: “Verónika decide morir”, me atrapó esa historia porque me sentí muy identificada con el personaje de ella. Esa historia refleja una parte de mi ser.
En este momento estoy termianndo de leer “La quinta montaña” y hasta ahora me resulta un libro muy apasionante.
Me agrada que usted cite antes del comienzo de sus libros una cita bíblica.
Adoré leer “La Bruja de Portobello” porque aprendí que a veces cueste lo que cueste, uno tiene que ir en busca de lo que quiere, desea sin importar los prejuicios. La frase que más me marcó fue: “El amor es…” amo esa frase porque con tan simples palabras simplifica lo inexplicable…
Le quiero confesar que el libro “El alquimista” también me ha fascinado y se lo he recomendado a mi madre porque esa lucha de Santiago me hace recordar a la de mi madre.
Ojalá algún día pueda llegar a escribir ún libro como usted, ya que es una de mis pasiones escribir.
Le envío mis cariños y mis deseos de muchos más éxitos.
Saluda atentamente…
As always when reading Paolo’s novels, i have the urged to rush through the pages. In fact I always put gaps in reading from one novel to another because the message is so strong that I always allow enough time to absorb everything.
This WITCH OF PORTOBELLO is one novel that I have loved reading from the start and it amazes because Paolo was bale to put up story as told by people on different aspect.
Anyways, I have learn to love the book when I came to the end. It was like magic…
hi I think that your most beautiful book is whitch of Portobello
Hello Paulo,
Thank you for writing such wonderful books, your inspiring blogs and for you encouragement to all Warriors of Light. My question for you is this… I am most intrigued by the suggested musid in the Witch of Portobello. Can you refer me to specific tracks/titles/artists? Thanks much, Lisa
I read your novel in one sitting, and was absolutely moved by it. It placed many things in perspective for me. Thank you!
you might be tired of listening this but u r a terrific writer who has awoken a whole new generation to reading
i read your books- ALCHEMIST & WITCH OF PORTBHELLO
THEY WERE WONDERFUL
‘The Witch of Portobello’ is a great masterpiece dealing with love, the journey in search for it and the ability to let go. The book covers all aspects of life and the connection with each other. I like the book so much that I learned that LOVE never has to be owned, it just has to be felt, cherished and be allowed to manifest itself. To dance is to own yourself, to live to own your life…
I am Tibetan,
It’s intersting for me to read your Books.
Keep working!
Best of luck!
And TASHI DELEK!!!
after reading this book i discovered the woman hidden inside me in continuaton with this i even realised the ‘magus’ within me when an old and a dear friend of mine after many years met me and worked like a subject when i applied it to my life i got instant answers to all my doubts
Thank You Paulo
Anushri
I just finished the book last night. This is such a wonderful read because it is about love, relationship and finding your path and having the courage to follow it and everything in between. After reading the part about Athena finding her birth mother, I wanted to go into my daughter’s room to hug her; I want to call my mother in Taiwan to tell her I love her. I realize that as much as I need my mother to love me, she needs that unconditional love from me as well. This makes me want to search for my light in me and the mother figures in the book just make me want to love and weep.
Thank you for writing such a wonderful book. I have always enjoyed reading them either in Chinese or in English. Thank you.