Dear Readers,
As you know throughout the month of June we shall be discussing my new book “The Winner Stands Alone”.
Throughout the week, I will be accessing this page 2-3 times a day in order to answer your questions until June 30th. I want also for you discuss among yourselves – since I’m very curious to see your reactions to the book.
As you know one of the recurrent themes of my books is the importance of paying the price of your dreams. But to what extent can our dreams be manipulated? For the past decades, we lived in a culture that privileged fame, money, power – and most of the people were led to believe that these were the real values that we should pursue.
We all should be a “winner”. Not in the sense of someone who finally wins what is important to his/her life. Not in the sense that happiness is the most valuable gift on Earth – and it can be attained here and now, when your work fulfills your heart. We should be a winner in the sense that the system portraits a successful person: celebrity, influence, photos in glossy magazines, behaving like the masters of the universe.
Yes, you may reach the goal society has fed you – but will you be satisfied? Will you be whole? Will you be in peace? This cycle of possession never ends – because the moment that you think that you have reached your goal another desire creeps in.
Soon after I finished writing “The Winner Stands Alone”, the financial market collapsed. Will this lead us again to the real values? I really don’t know. What I do know is that we cannot continue to allow our dreams to be manipulated like they are as for some of the characters in the book.
So please join me in this monthly workshop into a world that is coming to an end. We will be talking about the characters of the book as well as the main themes that run through it.
I thought of writing a small introduction about each character but prefer to list them below – so that you may comment on them. I’m really eager to see how you feel in regards to each one of them, so leave – under each character – our opinions and questions. As you can see there’s also a section dedicated to the themes that are dealt in the book as well as a section to the writing style.
CHARACTERS
IGOR
EWA
HAMID
GABRIELA
JASMINE
THEMES
SUPERCLASS
GLITTER AND GLAMOUR
THE CELEBRITY SYNDROME
BROKEN DREAMS
THE BOOK
YOUR OPINION ON THE NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
In the month of July, another workshop will be organized, this time around “The Alchemist”.
Hi dear Mr. Paulo
The book is really intelligent:)
But I couldn’t understand how Igor’s love changed and disappeared
I think he was changing love to power
Dear Paulo,
I really loved the thrilling tale you lastly wrote “the winner stands alone”. it had really illustrated a unique style of a love life followed with adversaries and luck. But i have one question to ask
What was your inspiration while drawing Igor’s Character?
this is my first time on this website
the reason i am here is that i am deeply disappointed with the book “the winner stands alone”
i read it in hungarian, im not sure if it was the foult of the translator but i was a superficial novel with lots of cliche’s
i am not used to it as i have read a few of your books
ps.: i choosed “reply” here because i did not find where i could give my opinion
wow it’s an amazing book though the end is a bit stronger than i imagined it but we’re used 2read different books when it comes to Paulo Coelho
im from Lebanon and it’s been years that im reading ur books…all my friends n sisters visit ur site on net but i prefer 2hold a book n discover with every word n explanation n description what u mean with it…
ur books are so precious in my library n sometimes i give them as a gift if i feel that the person is in need to think more deeply n who’ll appreciate the gift
waiting for another novel coz just finished yesterday the winner stands alone
God bless u
Rachel
I loved The Winner Stands Alone. It really shows that everyone is different and endings are not always happy. The message of blinding love (domination) destroying almost everyone in this story to some degree if not outright was very sobering. I once knew someone who admitted that he had to be the dominant, he kind of reminded me of Igor. I worked with him and learned to not like him. Just like I don’t like Igor and I can’t seem to wrap my mind around where he is coming from. The scary thing is that people like him do exist. I read The Winner Stands Alone last summer and I still find myself thinking about it.
Dear Paolo Coelho.
I would like to ask ,if it is posible to order by internet this book.I’m coming from the small country Latvia,and we are apeaking Latvian.I’m able to read and write also in english,italian and russian and my target is for near future to learn also spanish and portugese.I went to the best book shop,”Jāņa Rozes grāmatnīca”In capital of Latvia,Riga,but I can’t find this book there.I will be apppreciate ,if someone will give me some guidelines,how and where is possible to by this book in internet.Please send me website address where is possible to by the books.
Thank you so much,
Kind Regards,
Ineta
Hey that book’s great! I read it a few months ago but still can’t really put in down. When I first read it I felt that I could relate to Gabriella the aspring actress. Not that I wanted to be in the showbiz as well, but I’ve had experiences rather similar to her. From being humiliated by classmates to vowing to show others that she could do a lot better than them and beat them all. Sadly, the emotional scar just follows into teenage and then adulthood.
Jo
Dear Mr.Coelho,
I read it.It is interesting to read it once.but unlike ur other books it is not a friend when i feel low in spirit.It has got a natural flow of events,including the end.All crimes are not always punished in the court of law.But it is not inspiring.So honestly it was disappointing.Again it is my expectations which caused it.So next time i will be open minded .Still ur are my favourite auther.
IT TELLS ONE IMPORTANT THEORY OF LIFE…
THOSE WHOM U LOVE,IF THEY WANT TO GO ,LET TRHEM GO BCOZ IF THEY TRULLY LOVE YOU THEY WILL COME BACK THEMSELVES.
paulo coelho…quanto entusiasmo nel trovare in libreria..l’ultimo libro di paulo coelho..li ho letti tutti..appena usciti e tutte le volte si apriva una porticina in me..ed entravo in un’altra dimensione..sono passati diversi anni da quando leggendo l’alchimista..ho iniziato un “percorso”..di ricerca del vero..come diceva sempre il mio amato Osho..e i tuoi libri mi hanno sempre accompagnata lungo questo cammino..mi emozionavano..mi contagiavano..mi rendevano magica..me li gustavo..ma…”il vincitore è solo”..mi ha fatto arrabbiare…per me è stata una delusione..semplicemente vuoto,scontato,commerciale…boh…eppure è di paulo coelho..non ho sbagliato…ma quando l’ho comprato la signora della libreria di fiducia dove vado sempre mi aveva avvertita..poi mi dirai..ma io …no è impossibile..non mi ha mai delusa..ed invece..tristezza di libro..il messaggio,la magia?non rivendo il libro..perchè non è mia abitudine..ma non lo metto vicino agli altri..peccato…
Where they I can download this book ?
dearest writer,
love ur every book.recently i finished the winner…..but i didnt get the point how igor finally wins ….gets salvation????????????is that his main target?
Dearest writer(dear Paulo)
I want to talk about the novel now that I just finished to read it, because my memories and impressions are still fresh. Cant help to be surprised by the very different style( in a way) that you use for that thriller. The message is not so optimistic we are used to find in each of your novel, ( except maybe for the unusual couple of lesbians Jasmine and her agent lover, but that might be seen from some still an unoptimistic point). I wonder why the final is not a happy one, as you always used to have for your stories. It would be too easy to guess, too common? I was expecting that Igor got arrested, or forgive Ewa, or commit suicide, or better give himself to the police . I know he tried that, but was the only thing he repent. All in all, the book is interesting, we find well defined characters, good plot, some things remind your former ideas, experiences, as your respect for sufi Nasrudin, your knowledge about beduins and exotic culture.
The Evil is almost too present, and that thing puzzles me. Is just not you that I knew before. What made you change that optimistic view we all saw in your works? It seemed at traits we have to deal with one of the Karamazov brothers, but he too paid for his crime.
The other thing that impressed me is the way you must know the pshychology of a person, person in general, because you reproduce a rich variety of thoughts and inner life, emotions and mind of a broad range of characters.
That make me see you as a very wise man.
Really striking the behaviour of Igor, and I remember the words of one faculty mates, he said” Always the most calm people were bigger criminals”, something like that, and it applies to Igor so well.
He hide his thoughts so well
It was a pleasure reading, even if maybe I would preffer another end,
and I am glad I follow your work, because even that new reading did not dissapoint me, you kept my interest awake till the very end.
Great job!!!
Much love and respect
Alexandra
A strange thing was the name of a technique ( martial art) used by Igor to kill his first victim, Olivia. Sambo?
Well, I dont know if can be any connection, but in a novel I read last year, “The forbidden forest”, theres a room called like that, Sambo, and it was a place without time, out of our world.
If you have time and you are so kind, may I know where did you find the name?
Love
Alexandra
Querido Paulo Coelho,
I’m Tammy and I’m 16 years old. I ADORE your writing, and even though I’m young your books have influenced the way I see the world and my life. I absolutely love The Winner Stands Alone, I finished it reading it yesterday, and it’s just wonderful how you portrayed the human being and what it’s capable of thinking and doing through Igor, who goes where ANYONE at some point of their lives has wished to go, and even though people would think that he’s crazy everyone of us has a dark side and we think that EVERYTHING is justified. Also the way you tell us that money doesn’t bring happiness or neither does fulfill our lives.
I have a question for you: who was Igor going to shoot if he only planned to use a bullet, Ewa or Hamid or himself?
Hace unos dias termine de leer “El Vencedor esta Solo” fue interesante entrar en un mundo donde yo solo lo he imaginado que les pertenece sin duda a la superclase. Lo unico que me intriga es porque Ewa, conociendo y temiendo a igor, se deja guiar por el hasta la playa con su actual esposo? El miedo nos paraliza muchas veces porque ella avanzo aun cuando habia conocido sus intenciones macabras con otras personas en el pasado? Despues de leer esta novela me puse a pensar que hay muchos mundos en esta vida, mi mundo es el de una latina como ama de casa, hay otros como los de la superclase, u otros magicos como el suyo Sr. Coehlo, aun asi es interesante de vez en cuando hechar una mirada a mundos que se encuetran despues de la cordillera como diria “Don Francisco” (Mario Krauz) en su libro autobiografico. Despues de la cordillera hay otros mundos sin duda alguna…que tenga un buen dia.
Bendiciones
Dear Paulo
I love your books and have read so many of them. My favourite of course is the Alchemist and Eleven minutes. I am currently reading The Winner stands alone. I must admit that I am struggling to finish it as it does not get my attention like the others.
When I pick up a Paulo Coelho book I have to finish it in 2 days decause it grasps me.
I love the title of the book, but I cannot seem to find flow of the story, especially when you go into indepth description about the world of glamour and fame, fashion, etc on clothes, superclass, botox, parties, the fake side of the movie industry.
I would love to know why you describe these worlds with such intense criticism? I feel perhaps it is a world you do not like very much but on your path as a world famous author you too live in that world of fame, glamour, magic and have to play on those platforms to get your word or message across.
I look forward to finishing the book this week and maybe perhaps I would understand it better.
I look forward to the next novel.
Love & light
Vimtha
Finally, I did buy the book today…In my country appeared not long ago, and only now I had some money. But I was so proud taking it out of the library, almost wanted that everybody could see that I have that book…I read it soon and come back with comment.
Love
Alexandra
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Dear Paulo
I read The Winner two days ago.
I must say I liked the way it’s written. It flows smoothly and it is catching, you don’t want to put it down till the end.
I knew it was a story difficult to handle. A serial killer.
I understand you want to explore different things so that routine doesn’t take hold of you.
I liked the killer most of the time, and I think you did this on purpose , a completely wicked character wouldn’t have worked. In my opinion, he stands for all types of fundamentalist who think that the end justifies the means. I liked the way you explore his mind throughout the story.
I also liked the research you did on how things work at the festival even though glamour, fashion, and celebrities are not my favorite issue.
It all sounds like nonsense to me, but I understand you’re aiming to younger generations for which all this stuff is really something. And you write about it in a way youngters can put two and two together and criticize the world they live in.
It was necessary to be tough to make people wonder about real values and dreams so the book leaves a bitter taste.
However,not everything is so dark.
I loved the way you approach the relationship between Jasmine and the photographer. It is true love giving meaning to your life no matter what it is said to be normal.
God would have viewed them the same way you do . Their love made me cry .It reminded me that when true love is by your side you are ready to confront anything.
hallo there!
i have a question to make. Is the Igors obsession to Ewa a way to discribe more “colorfull” the dark-side meaning of zahir??
I did not think about it when I wrote the book
Dear Paulo,
I just want you to know that you are my best author!your way of inspiration leaves the soul refreshed and yearning for more! I have read 80% of your work,am yet to read this one and give my views!
God Bless your works!
Mi querido Paulo Coelho
No sabe como espere que llegara a mi país su libro, desde que me entere que acababa de salir, me di a la tarea de estar al pendiente de cuando se publicara aquí en México, era tanta mi emoción que lo mande a traer desde Brasil, aunque no entendiera ni jota, y luego cuando llegó aquí de inmediato lo compre.
Como muchos de los participantes en esta discusión concuerdo en que el final no me pareció, ¿como un hombre destruye vidas y sale ileso en el nombre del amor?.
Durante la lectura quise encontrar el misticismo que rodea siempre sus novelas y no lo encontré y para serle sincera el tema de la farándula y el modelaje nunca han sido de mi interés,y quizá eso también influyo en que mi lectura no fuera con la sed de saber más, a veces me perdía porque al comenzar un nuevo capitulo comenzaba la continuación de otro ya muy lejano, es decir como que no hubo un secuencia desordenada ordenada.
Y bueno realmente un poco triste porque esperaba más, disculpe mi sinceridad pero se que el proximo lo superara en todo y ya estoy en la expectación de que pronto habra la sorpresa de que ya se publico su nueva obra que espero pronto adquirir.
Sinseramente
PUPA
Poxa o escritor é brasileiro, o site tem é trilingue mas só abre os posts e imagem de livros em ingles? E os brasileiros como é que fica???
Mas mesmo assim adoro os livros seu!!! Principalmente o “ONZE MINUTOS”
que venham mais brasileiros entao
Eu tamén espero que veñan Porque coma eu galega seguilos hijo Podo.
Un bico o beijo para os brasileños.
Hi Paulo,
My soul cries when I hear my countryman saying that they have not read your books. I really don’t understand our people! Why is it that they don’t like to read?
But I do understand what goes on in a writer’s head. The story comes to you and it stays in your mind until you write every word down. When the story is completed in your head, you must stop because the story stopped, as if it had been downloaded into your head. You just follow what you see, as if you are remembering a distant past, or another life and time.
I like to compare writing with the daydreams that I had as a child. I was one of those childslave (foster child in Brazil, which was nothing more than free labor.) Until I was 17 I escaped through daydreams. Now I believe that writing is daydream, except that you write the dreams down.
One of your fans called your books projects. How interesting that she calls them projects. Your books are certainly great project for you, the writer. Well, since she likes your books so much, she dedicates time for reading them, and that time allocation must have a name after all.
Bom dia,
Eluisa
Hola Paulo,
Tengo 15 años, tengo muchas dudas sobre la vida, no entiendo por que vivir para morir, si luego el rio seguirá igual, quiere decir que no significo mi existencia?, recomiendeme un libro, hoy ví en una librería su libro “El Ganador está solo” y me llamó la antención, lo que pasa es que no tengo los recursos monetarios para comprarlo…
Hoy También leí un artículo en una revista de Venezuela, pues me pareció especial su forma de escribir y de expresar “sus sentimientos”…
Hello Paulo,
After reading all the messages from the people here, I feel a bit bad for the comment I am going to do.
First of all, thank you so much for all tha books that you have writen. I must say that they had somehow a positive influence in my life.
With the book “The winner stands alone” it appears that you wanted to step out a little from the mysticism that characterizes many of the books. Personally I like this decission, which requires coreage;
The only thing I did not like so much is how the story is writen. I had the feeling that the text had more to do with a documentary about the Superclass rather than with a novel.
It seems that mainly you wanted to give some facts about this world (which I found really interesting and very real), and the story was just the make up for these facts.
I know that I should not make this kind of comments, even when I am not myself a writer or a journalist… and even when I think that it is always too easy to give opinion on something, without knowing the work that is behind everything… Anyway, I only wanted to share my thoughts with you… I hope you take this opinion as a constructive opinion (may I be right or not)…
Thank you for all the things we learn from you…
Fran
Hi Paulo,
I like your books, especially their unique and usually simple messages.
I finished reading “the winner stands alone” last night. Honestly, the end of the story made me angry. I cannot understand how a man who claims that loves a woman could kill her, just because she ignored him or she did not love him? The end of the story, in my opinion, just highlights the selfish and childish part of men which I do not like to generalize to all men, because it is really disappointing. Did he kill his love because he was not able to believe “their relationship is over” or because “he could not see her with another man” or “he just could imagine her as his love and he could not recognize an identity for his ex-wife as a human being”???
The book described every character and tried to critique each character’s goals, feelings, and actions, Except for Igor, Why?
Até onde somos capazes de aviltar o comum em função de nossos desejos? Nossas aspirações não bastam, há a necessidade de projetá-las aos outros? Percebo em “O Vencedor está só” uma pertinente crítica social. Não somente à rotulada Superclasse, é de mesma forma direcionada às baixas camadas da população, às autoridades e outros segmentos. O que percebemos é o quanto nossas ações podem interferir nas vidas alheias, ou o quanto podemos errar em nossos (pré)julgamentos. Ao ápice, sob qualquer condição, na ausência de escrúpulos? Compreendemos verdadeiramente a amplitude de nossos atos, ou a extensão de suas consequências? É fato a reflexão antes de tomar sérias e irrevogáveis decisões? Creio que não, sendo levianos com uma atitude que afetará o próximo. Somos críticos, de maneira correta e suficiente, para que nossos erros não sejam repetidos e legados? Em várias faces de uma história, o romance, a perseguição policial, a aventura, o glamour e o sucesso está o retrato de nossa sociedade. Feio? Terrível? Pois bem, foi pintado por nós. O mínimo que devemos fazer será restaurá-lo.
dear Paolo Coelho
i have read all of your books and i have all of them . i really enjoy of your last novel ” winner stands alone ” . the last part of book really surprised me . when i was reading the book i afraid that u may finish it by some finals like the police arreset igor and etc with some messages against who deal with killing a person . ( we see most of such finals in some novels like the davinchi code to avoid of getting clear position …) i congratulate u for your braveness and your honesty.
thank you again for so beautiful time that i had while reading ” Winner stands alone “
I am still reading “The winner stands alone”. The best part in the novel is the story told by Old Afghani to Igor( pages 270-273). Very profound message, typical Coelho. Everybody as they live there lives gradually starts understanding there destinies but it so happens that we are not able to break the shackles and keep living our old lives and always dreaming and hoping for new. Or is it the warrior is waiting for the right moment before he has to strike? A dilemma I think lot of people have to go through……
Dear Mr. Coelho,
I read your book “The Winner Stands Alone”. Its great sir. How can you read and describe a general mentality, thoughts and behavior so deeply. its very impressive.. its not only a book..its a treasure of psychological material, inspiration if reader can take..its fantastic…Congratulations sir…How you mixing bible and its essence its wonderful…
Mr. Jolly Francis
Hallo!, pues es mi escritor favorito porque realmente me comenzo a gustar la literatura con sus libros recuerdo que cuando estaba mas pequeña (porque aun soy pequeña ¬¬) el primer libro que lei fue 11 minutos y desde esa vez quede tan encantada que me lei todos los libros de Paulo Coelho que estaban ya a la venta y apartir de entonces comence a leer y simplemente me encanta… es simplemente magico! el nuevo libro aún no lo he leido porque estoy aprendiendo un nuevo idioma y deberia estar olvidando el español por un rato… ¬¬ pero espero sea mi primer libro en aleman^^ saludos y realmente espero verlo algun día. Cristina -Venezuela-Deutschland-
Hola: para mi el libro no es uno de los mejores, pero si me tengo que identificar con alguno de los personajes sería Igor. Nos soy capaz de matar a nadie, pero por amor se nos pasa por la cabeza autenticas barbaridades.
Un saludo a todos
tienes razon, A mi este libro no me ha gustado. Sobre todo cuando describe un personaje, que es ser ‘normal’.Yo soy normal y no me identifico con lo que dicen. Un autor que te hace creer en el amor con Brida, y estremecerte en once minutos y ahora este libro ? No lo recomiendo. Y eso que me he leido la mayorai de sus libros.
Me parece o deja entrever un tono un poco ‘amargado’, casi como rencor…y no me gusta lo que me transmite el libro. Este libro no transmite verdades o intenta ser fiel a una realidad que yo no conozco, la del poder. Creo que es un libro con matices de rencor, y no me ha gustado leerlo.
I’ve finished reading your book and the feelings I had from the beginning of the reading were of fury, discontentment, frustration and helplessness. All of them because of a deep understanding of the fact that you are right, our dreams and values are very easy to be manipulated and so they are every minute of the day. Nowadays it is obsolete to dream for simple and basic things. They have no value. They are reduced to nothing and since we are directed towards the fact that more you pay for something, more is valuable, than not paying for a thing doesn’t worth having it. And the irony is that these basic things are the most difficult to obtain. Sometimes is more difficult to have a sincere and compassionate smile than a credit card. You are a great writer but your books remind me sometimes how coward we are when looking at the life in her purest and most giving form and believe me there are days when I can’t face it.
I don’t want to find out if I could kill for love because I’m afraid I would.
hola, paulo
Perdona, pero nunca he tenido la suerte de leer ninguno de tus libros,y digo suerte porque he tenido muchos inconvenientes de salud y en especial economicos,como resultado, de la primera. Pero te puedo decir que te has ganado un lugar en el cielo; si es que existe porque si tus libros tienen la esencia que sí he podido sentir en uno de tus articulos que publican religiosamente en revista encartada en un muy importante diario de venezuela, mi país, no tengo mas que decirte que la mision que te encomendo papa Dios en esta tierra,la estas cumpliendo a cabalidad. No puedo mas que admirarte y enviarte parte de mi energia positiva porque la otra parte la reservare para desear con toda mi alma, que algun dia pueda tener en mis manos todos tus libro.Amén. cariños para ti.
Angela.Monagas.-Venezuela
Querido Paulo.
Hace algunos días termine de leer the Winner Stands Alone, vi reflejada mi historia en Jasmine, la verdad que me impresiono el giro que toma la trama al final, como el amor te lleva a extremos impensables… cuantos Igor no conocemos? de verdad que me fascino la historia y cada complemento me llevo a reflexionar acerca de los sueños y como uno mismo los manipula o deja que los manipulen. Es uno mismo quien tiene esa sagrada mision.
Mil gracias por existir!!
Desde Venezuela con amor
hi mr.paulo
when i read all your book,i felt that i am in the ‘past’ and feel so deep.something that make me back to the world that i don’t remember but exist.deep and touch my unconscious word go to the conscious world.from my spirituality world go my daily world.
but finished this book, i felt about ‘now’.something different about you.still deep but not touch my unconscious world.i think because you tell about unfamiliar world for me.
Igor, he is like the dark side of our life, our id.it always feel thirsty.need us do anything to make it satisfied.in our life we always fight the id when it drive us to the wrong side.with our super-ego, with fight.but when id can drive our life, id versus super-ego, we always have much reason. we can say: it’s the fact.and it,s OK if the fact is like that.
The best book i have ever read…
Most of his books have astonished me.
I have learnt about life and this books specially quotes that a person will do anything to fufill his dreams.
Its what we are supposed to do, never give up so that you can fulfill your dreams…
I had learnt something from this book….
and working towards my dream…
thx
Dear Mr. Coelho
Thanks for writing such wonderful books, I am able to understand my life better after reading your books Like ‘The Alchemist’ and ‘The Zahir’.
Recently I had read your book ‘The Winner Stands Alone’ I really liked a different aspect of life where a person to fulfill his dream can go to any extent, whether it be good or bad and in the case of Igor, it was bad. The book potrays different characters and their existance in the world, and how they become the victim of their own failures.
In the midst of everything I would like to know that what exactly did the character Egor wanted in the end?
Was he escaping the obsession he started of in the beginning of his journey or was he realising the betrayal his wife gave?
I also felt that why was it that he killed Ewa, even though she had her point of view, which described her emptiness which had started mounting in her life.
Both were right and both were wrong then why was it that she had to die? And Egor was freed of the obsession he had?
Please help me find an answer to this as I am stuck up with this aspect of the book.
I hope to recieve an answer which would lighten my heart.
I am looking forward to reading your other books.
Please keep spreading the message of love and existance in this world.
- Kanika
Desde hace 10 anios he sido fan de sus libros, si bien me faltan algunos, he amado cada uno de ellos y siempre que los leo me encuentro que paso con cierto momento de mi vida que de una u otra manera encaja con el libro. Tengo 25 anios y he leido el alquimista mas veces de lo que puedo recordar. Aun no leo su nuevo libro pero espero con ansia poder hacerlo.
Quisiera agradecerle el que sea un mago en mi vida, dandome muchos conocimientos y ayudandome a identificar las seniales en mi camino. Sus libros siempre me hacen soniar y transportarme a cada uno de estos lugares.
Espero algun dia poder conocerlo en persona pues lo admiro muchisimo.
Atte.
Adriana B.M. (Mexico)
Paulo:
Me da gusto saber que ya esta a la venta un nuevo libro. Por ahora estoy pasando una crisis economica fuerte, pero en la primera oportunidad lo comprare y tratare de subir mi opinion.
Por lo pronto tengo que agradecerte pues me hiciste pensar en mi leyenda personal desde aquel tiempo en que leì el Alquimista. Desde entonces se que mi vida ha estado y seguira estando llena de experiencias por compartir y pensando llegue a la conclusion que mi pasion es la de escribir, sin embargo, nunca he pasado de unas cuantas paginas para releertas y volver a comenzar. Espero consolidar algun dia y de pagina en pagina completar un hijo, es decir, un libro. Si fuera asi, me gustaria enviartelo con el agradecimiento espreso de haberme inspirado.
Gracias y felicitaciones por el nuevo libro. Te deseo muchas letras mas.
Yolanda.
Hola! Sr. Paulo Coelho.
Mi nombre es Mauricio O. quiero decirle que he leido muchos de sus libros y claro como muchos mi primero fue el Alquimista y asi he ido leyendo todos los demas tambien veo sus entrevistas subidas en youtube muy interesantes por cierto, bueno escribia primero para comentar sobre “El vencedor esta solo” que acabo de terminar de leer y la verdad quede un poquitito desepcionado con respecto al final creo que el trama del libro te emociona tanto que cuando llegas a un final tan simple te desepcionas pero igual ustes es el maestro en esto. tambien queria hacer una pregunta.. las historias o cuentos que estan en cada uno de sus libros sos reales? como por ejemplo el de el joven rey que en 4 años contruyo un reino o el de leonardo davinci cuando se basa en el mismo joven para pintar a jesus y a judas? espero me entienda y me responda. esperare dos años mas para su siguiente libro.
Take Care!
Dear Mr. Coelho,
First of all I need to apologise for the wrong spelling of your name, it was propably because of my excitement as I was writing to you for the first time. Additionally, unexperienced as I am, I had no idea that my letter would receive such a responce not only from the book’s readers but also from you the same.
At this point I need to say that I edmire your answer to my critics. It was brief, accurate and sincere. I can’t do eslewhere than to respect the fact that the book is an expression of your soul and of course it has intriggued us to read it until the end.
The reason that I asked you to remain to your own style had to do with the fact that I was so amazed by your “alchemist” and the “Pilgrimage” several years ago, and then the “devil and Mrs Prim” and of course by your realistic “Zahir”,and I was thrilled by your most recent “witch of Portobello” and “Brinda” in a way that I was so overwhelmed by the above and expected to feel the same for your last one, eventually I did not.
However I will follow the advice coming from “Heart” and reread the book in order to discover the “twist” at the end of it, although I must say that it wasn’t the fact that Igor kills the couple in the end and does not get caught that troubled me.
I am sending you my love and looking forward for your next book, no matter what.
Hola,
Antes que nada, mil gracias por compartir uno mas de sus libros,que me es dificil escribir lo que me hacen sentir cada vez que tengo uno en mis manos, bueno que le puedo decir, creo que sobran mis palabras mil…….felicitaciones por este nuevo libro.
Bendiciones!
Adriana
hy , i’m happy when i sawed that the book appeared in the store :x i can’t wait to read it. for sure it’s good , i had read also Zahir , 11 minutes ,The Alchemist, The Diary of a Magus and Veronika Decides to Die and i love them :x
ha y si libro no lo he leido pero, de seguro es buenisimo … yo pronto en cuanto este en mi alcance lo leo….muchos saludos
Hola señor Coelho, espero que este muy bien, y siento un gran honor y una gran alegría al poder saludarle y agradecerle a una de las personas que mas ha influenciado mi crecimiento, yo solo cuento con 19 años de edad y desde hace menos de 5 años descubrí sus obra literarias, y me afincado en ellas para poder crecer como una gran persona de manera correcta. Me he divertido, he llorado, y me ilusiona con cada letra que he leído de sus libros… y me gustaría decirle que usted es el mejor adulto, a parte de mis papás, del cual he aprendido, y que a mi parecer y corta experiencia es el mejor autor, que existe , pues sus libros me llenan de mucha energía y creo que eso es lo realmente importante , y lo que todo escritor debería transmitir, yo actualmente estudia la carrera de ingeniería en mantenimiento industrial… pero me gustaría con toda el alma estudiar también, para poder expresar muchas cosas como usted por medio de obras como las suyas… bueno para terminar le extiendo mis mas gratos deseo, y si no se ha dado cuenta, decirle que lo admiro mucho y que de verdad en esta, o en otra vida me gustaría mucho conocerlo… Que tenga una buena vida siempre, y estaré esperando siempre sus nuevos trabajos.
estimado Paulo; es un onor poder decirle que es un gran escritor realmente no he tenido la oportunidad de leer este libro que acaba de públicar, mas sin embargo estoy segura que sera todo un exito y a hasta ahorita comparto la idea de algunos lectores que mi libro favorito es ” a orillas del rio piedra me sente y llore”
Exito¡¡¡
Sr. Paulo!!!
Es una maravilla poder comunicarme por este medio con usted. Estoy terminando de leer “el vencedor está solo”, Un libro que nos lleva a conocer el interior de la fama… nos hace ver cuales son los valores importantes que valen la pena en esta vida.
Felicitaciones, es usted un gran escritor.
He leido casi toda su colección… todos fascinantes, pero “A orillas del rio piedra me senté y lloré”, es mi favorito.
Quedo en espera de su próximo libro!!
Un abrazo fraterno
Que puedo decir….necesito la buena versión en español y yaaa salio a la venta! que buenisimo! correré a la libreria, en algunas ya se agotó.
Saludos desde los andes americanos!
Cecilia
Mi estimadisimo Paulo!
Pienso que no eres nada escritor, eres un angel y tus libros son mensajes que Dios susurra a tus oidos. ESta ultima obra tuya se ha puesto en circulacion recientemente en mi pais. Dame tiempo a leerlo e intercambiare mis impresiones contigo.
Un abrazo grandote!
Meu estimadissimo Paulo!
Acho que você nao é escritor, você é um anjo (angel)e os seus livros são as mensagens que Deus sussurra em seus ouvidos. Este último trabalho de você tem sido na prática recentemente no meu país. Dá-me tempo para ler e troco minhas impressões com você mais tarde.
Hola mis respeto y admiracion….. NO HE LEIDO ESTE ULTIMO LIBRO PERO POR LOS COMENTARIO ES UN GRAN DESEO LEERLO…. ME ALEGRO QUE ME TOMEN EN CUENTA Y CUENDO TENGA LA OPRTUNIDAD DARE MI COMENTARIO….
QUE DIOS BENDIGA SU CAMINO Y TE LLENE DE MUCHA SABIDURIA PARA AYUDAR Y ENCAMINAR A MUCHAS PERSONAS COMO LO HAS HECHO HASTA AHORA….BENDICIONES MUCHAS BENDICIONES…..
HOLA , HE LEIDO TODOS Y CADA UNOS DE LOS LIBROS DE USTED Y ES CIERTO QUE ALGUNOS NO ME HAN GUSTADO NAADA ASI COMO ESTAN LOS QUE ESTAN DENTRO DE MIS FAVORITOS Y QUE LLEVARIA COMO UNICA COMPAÑIA A UNA ISLA DESIERTA ….ALGUIEN EN LOS COMENTARIOS DECIA QUE A VECES DEBES ESPERAR PARA ENTENDER UN LIBRO ES LO MAS CIERTO … A VECES NO ESTAMOS ABIERTOS A DETERMINADAS EXPERIENCIAS HASTA QUE LA MISMA VIDA NOS PONE LAS SITUACIONES Y ENTONCES COMPRENDEMOS O LO QUE ES MEJOR “CREEMOS” ESO ES MARAVILLOSO ….NO SE SI ME VA A ENCANTAR ESTA NUEVA OBRA PERO LE DARE MI APOYO Y ESPERO QUE MUCHA GENTE AQUI EN MEXICO LO ADQUIERA YA QUE NECESITAMOS CREAR EL GUSTO POR LA LECTURA DESDE LA INFANCIA …LIBEREMOS NUESTRAS MENTES DE LA LIMITACION…..SALUDOS CORDIALES
Estimado Sr. Coehlo,
decir gracias por sus libros es muy poco, esas historias han dejado huellas inborrables en mi vida. He aprendido a luchar por hacer realidad mis suenos, a vivir el dia a dia aprovechando las oportunidades que Dios me brinda. De cada libro he obtenido una experiencia diferente y enriquecedora. Dios bendiga su vida con felicidad y mucho talento, mas cada dia.
Con respeto, reciba un fuerte abrazo.
Veronica.
hola! paulo me da gusto que hayas publicado otro libro mas, aunque mi favorito siempre ha sido el de a orillas del rio piedra me sente y llore. Se que te va a ir super bien en este libro ya que lo que escribes es fantastico y la mayoria de veces son cosas que suceden ebn el mundo. Bay
Intemporal Paulo,
É bom ter a oportunidade de saber que posso externar minha admiração por alguém que, ainda em vida, tem uma capacidade extraordinária de estar muito bem chegado a cada lugar, a cada lar, sem distinção de raça, credo ou opção política ou semelhante! Parabéns a ti, pois poucos foram aqueles que tiveram tamanha capacidade, e estes, em sua máxima maioria, só atingiram tal feito, após unir sua centelha divína ao Grande Criador!
Muitíssimo agradecido por sua existência;
Jorge Carlos
Sr Paulo:
Cuando tenia 16 años mi madre me regalo El Alquimista, y le puedo asegurar que me cambio la vida! Ya lei muchos otros libros suyos, pero El Alquimista siempre será mi favorito… Exitos en todo!! Que Dios le bendiga!!
Hola que tal, antes que nada espero se encuentre muy bien!
yo feliz de recibir la noticia de su nuevo libro! La verdad
cada que leo uno de sus libros mi vida se transforma.. Y este
no será la excepción. Me llena de emoción recibir un e-mail
con noticias suyas.. Lo admiro demasiado, su gran capacidad
de transformar sus letras en algo único y placentero sobre
mí, y no dudo que de sus demás seguidores, es algo tan mágico.
Felicidades! y gracias por darnos la oportunidad de conocer
su magia!!
Algún día espero llegar a conocerlo, o al menos tener algún texto
con autógrafo plasmado en él.. Dios lo bendiga..
Y gracias!
Querido Señor Coelho:
Me da gusto saber que ha publicado un nuevo libro, el cual, puedo adelantarme en reconocer que será un éxito. Cada uno posee su esencia, pero no pierde el tacto del autor.
Recuerdo que lo conoci por curiosidad, me llamo la atención la portada de su libro “el demonio y la señorita Prym”. Le tengo un aprecio enorme porque me introdujo a su mundo, ademas que me parece una obra distinta a sus otras publicaciones, posee un sello muy suyo, lo convierte en un libro mágico con personalidad.
Por último, se que el idioma más utilizado es el ingles pero me encantaria que tambien usará el español en su blog. Es un idioma tan rico en palabras, fuerte en expresion y sentimientos. Me atrevo a compararlo con un platillo exquisito con llamativos colores vivos. Comprendo el ingles, alcanzo a entender la idea pero la fuerza de sus palabras, no me impactan de la misma forma.
Lo admiro y lo considero el mejor escritor con un grandioso carácter humano y bella manera de ver la vida.
Con cariño:
Adriela Gion
Querido Paulo
e leido infinidad de veces sus libros y tengo la impresion que me encantan he aprendido mucho de ellos, y sigo en sus lecturas muchas felicidades, y gracias por escribir para sus lectoras y sacar provecho de ello lo felicito muy sinceramente tiene libros super lindo gracias por ser tan especial y ayudarme a salir a delante
que Dios lo bendiga siempre.
hola paulo!!
fui muy afortunada en encontrar su libro de once minutos, si no lo hubiera leido no me hubiera interesado seguir leyendo sus libros ya que me gusto mucho y me dio por seguir leyendo los demas y buscando todos y vi que es un gran escritor que ya que en las lecturas los personajes tienen caracteres diferentes desde una prostituta asta un padre; y todas estas lecturas muy esperituales las cuales si le cambian a uno el modo de ver el mundo; espero pronto leer su último libro que se ve muy interesante mientras me estoy perdiendo de las genialidades que plasma en los libros.
que dios lo guade por que sus libros yo los tengo…
lupita, Jalisco, México.
Me gusta esta sita de Camus.
“A work of art is a confession”
“Un trabajo de arte es una confecion”
Querido Paulo:
No me canso de decirle lo genial que son sus libros, yo tengo todos sus libros y los he leido infinidad de veces, aunq sigue siendo el alquimista mi favorito, quiero decirle que sus libros me inspiran que son importante en mi crecimiento y en mi vida… aqui en mi casa todos leemos sus libros y los recomendamos para llevar una vida mejor….
quisiera pedirle de favor que viniera a El Salvador en Centroamerica.. yo se que encontraria muchos fans!! deseosos de verlo, saludarle y darle los mejores deseos en personas
Que Dios le siga dando mas inspiracion
bendiciones
FATIMA RIVERA. EL SALVADOR
Hola Pablo , no e tenido la portunidad de leer tu libro pero me imagino que debe de ser bueno como los anteriores , un abrazo desde Costa Rica .
iva en el aeropuerto caminando yo soy de mexico y me econtrava en hoston tx cuando vi su libro no se mucho ingles asi que no me anime a comprarlo y mi novio sabe de lo mucho que lo dadmiro asi que me dedique a buscarlo en español y no en ninguna ibreria lo tenian, la vez siguinte que vi a m i novio me tenia la sorpresa de su libro en ingles, asi que ahora parendo mas vocabulario gracias a sus libros,
solo agregare que ud es una persona que regala falicidad y conocimientos dormidos que por la vida cotidiana uno no ve en su interior…. y sin saberlo
GRACIAS PAULO
Dear Hildegarde
Thanks for your comment.
It made me think, at least..
And it made me accept that maybe it was me who wasn’t really “openned” to the book’s message..
I can tell you, however, that i suspect that this “acceptance of mine” is probably and mostly an attempt to stray from my disapointment..
And i’m not ready to read the book again, not already..
love
filipa, portugal
Filipa
There is something that I need to tell you … sorry if I offended you in my expression. What is there for me today is the importance for me to be what I say … respectful of the other’s path. I see that I am sensible to any form of like rejection of one’s work that involves its soul, and even more when that work is for the Light, putting Light on Dark. So, it was important for me today to tell you that my expression was of love for me, for the love of the work of a soul warrior of light, but that maybe in my way of putting it, it was not all of love for you in regards to what you felt and expressed towards your personal experience in reading the book. A part of my expression wanted to like tell you that maybe you had waitings that were not responded to and that is why frustration is there (love) and a part of my expression was doing what I judged you were doing … judging (not love). Welcome hell and heaven inside me (J, if I refer to the forum). Have a nice day, cordially Jojo.
Gostava de poder comentar “um vewncedor está só”, mas com cinseridade achei o livro um pouco delirante. de todos os seus livros este foi o que me intrigou mais, visto que não encara muito o seu estilo de escrita. contudo tem um conteúdo excelente. como tambédm estou ligada ao mundo da moda, existe muitas cenas escritas no seu livro que concordo plenamente, pois acabam por ser bastantes reais.
Contudo, muitos parabéns mais uma vez, e aguardo por um livro que me faça sonhar, acreditar, perceber e infiltrar na minha memória e na minha alma.
uma boa escrita e tudo de bom
Elisa
Your books speak to many people, like journeys we take. I had written before of my experience in Cannes, at the Canne film festival which led me on a path, that perhaps I wouldn’t have gone on, or not in the same manner. Having had that experience I read The Winner Stands Alone with a different frame of reference. I used to tell people I would have done better in my pursuit of acting if I had spent all the years I did studying, instead, working at a used car dealership. I may have done better in my pursuit, but not in my pursuit of my creative spirit. You spend so much time reaching in to reach out, then are asked to be phony, to give of yourself emotionally on stage, then are asked to be selfish, it’s like walking the tight rope. Then you have the masters of the universe, who feel it’s acceptable to destroy people, he constantly was making an excuse withing himself as to why it didn’t matter, he reached a place of egoism where he played God. It was the first girl though, her eyes that haunted him, that looked through him. In reading this book you made me happy that I chose to study for so many years instead of working at a used car dealership in order to act. I should prefrence this by not slighting those who sell used cars, it’s an art too.
Mr. Coelho
Well, for me, who just finished reading your book, I am taking my time before going into sharing for me what that reading brought me. When I read your books, my intent is to enter a relation with you, through your books, and take what the Universe wants me to comprehend, to become aware of, etc … Your book comes at a point in my life where I am, one of considering what is really happening here. Me and my son Vincent often now have talks about many fraternities, many manipulations, etc … And for Igor, the number 1 actor of this book, well, he transported me. Mostly, he makes me become aware of how mind functions and how myself can think I am on a mission of love when I am on a Ego mission. So subtil. I think you have courage to exist and to follow your soul, and that is the message number 1 of your book for me. As Igor did all that in the name of his mission, you did the same in responding to your inner self, your soul. Going that path, takes a lot of courage and faith. That makes me think of all those Christians that followed their souls, even if they knew they had to be eaten by lions. Who wants to die for its soul! Your book is powerful Mr. Coelho, and profound and that is why I will take time to review first of all Igor. One thing is there, all master and go for the accomplishment of what they call a mission, a mission of their soul, but then all of them do not master their affectivity, the love. In the name of their mission, they forget the most important, the true love of their soul and its true actualization to be received on the white carpet of Heaven. With affection, Jojo.
PD: Podrías venir a Perú a presentar tu libro. sería muy importante para mi
soy solo una adolescente de 16 años y estoy facinada con los libros de Paulo Coelho, mi favorito sigue siendo El Alquimista, con el cual empece a disfrutar sus obras, me interesa mucho este libro porque su titulo y caratula dice mucho, ya se lo pedí a mis padres y espero tenerlo pronto…
el alquimista me enseño mucho a ver el mundo de una manera mas amena… sin mas que decir. me despido con mucho cariño… una seguidora.
sofía grillo (PERÚ)
Hola Paulo, soy una fiel lectora suya de España, tengo 15 años y hoy mismo acabo de terminar de leer “El vencedor está solo”.
No sé que dirán las críticas, pero ya sabes que a tus lectores les importa poco lo que se diga sobre sus libros, nunca conseguirán que dejemos de leerlos y de admirarte.
Ójala pueda verte por España.
Con cariño, Alicia.
Dear Mr. Paulo Cohelo
I am a reader from Greece, a great found of yours, and there is no need to say that I have read all of your books.
To my dismay, the “winner comes alone” is not included in my favourates. To be more accurate, I find that it does not represent you, it simply isn’t your style. Most furstrated part is undouptedly its end. It seems as if you were in a rush to finish it, as if you had a deadline to catch..And beside that, the whole subject, the plot, wasn’t inspiring at all, did not transmit an inlighting message, something to remember, to want to share with others, something to make you dream that life isn’t only the daily routine. It did not have these. I am sorry for being tough but pleace seriously consinder not to write another novel, just remain in your style. We need to believe that miracles and unexplained things happen!!!!
You are not the only one, Katerina. Having said that, this book is important to me and is an expression of my soul. I am very proud to have the courage to write it.
love
Im not sure who to reply to here – Katerina or Mr. Coelho,
but I would have tended to agree with Katerina, however, the plot represents something quite intrinsic to the search for our dreams… and why so often those dreams have failed…
after all, there is so much encouragement that can be given and signs shown.. before another key MUST be turned… this is true evolving.
.. finally.. it is inspiring that you say you are proud to have had courage to write the book…
… and so another door opens?!
best wishes to you both
and sorry to have interrupted your conversation ;o)
There was no conversation in this case. Katerina expressed her vision, and I (we) should respect that. I just said that many readers agree with her.
Hello Mr. Coelho,
My name is Carmen, and I am from Lebanon, a huge fan of your work. I have not read all of your books just yet ( though I plan on reading them all very soon ) but among the ones i read, The Winner Stands Alone is in my opinion your most accomplished work yet. Because you tackled and expounded on more themes than usual, and there were so many characters and many pasts and histories involved. It was complicated and well thought of.
The ending, well I wouldn’t say it was bad, because it was good, really good, but it disappointed me, because I was hoping that Savoy would arrest Igor and get the promotion he was hoping for.
However, this is life, and people are not always held responsible for their actions; likewise, good people don’t always get what they deserve.
Two thumbs up :)
Dear Katerina and Paulo,
My previous comments on ‘The Winner Stands Alone, started out a bit like yours Katerina, then after awhile, I was able to see new aspects of this novel, that the first impression didn’t reveal to me. My first reaction was, No, I do not want to read this book,and I will not buy it! Then, seeing many positive comments in the workshop, made me curious what other readers saw that I didn’t. I borrowed the book in the library and started to re-read it. All of a sudden, I was able to read deeper lairs. Opposite to several comments of not liking the end of the novel, I now really do like the end! Not because someone is killed (hope this isn’t revealing too much), I like the end because Igor seem to open up to a spiritual reality, and to a softer part of himself. The twist of the winner being alone, or the winner not being alone, is brilliant!
Katerina, if you give it some time. Read the comments in the workshop. Perhaps you will be able to discover a new value in this last novel.
Dear Paulo, I appreciate the book is important to you, and expresses parts of your soul. My greatest objection to the opening chapter was, I felt it could seduce young readers to believe these actions were desirable, when my opinion is; killing is not ever the right thing to do. To conclude, I probably would rather keep a book in my book collection of a Saint giving his life to save someone elses life, than one about a serial killer, just because I believe the first is a moral lesson I can learn from. The value in your novel is, we should love EVERYBODY, and to love is to pay attention and to understand the darkest moments of a persons reality, to be able to fully appreciate him/her for who he/she is.
Thank you both!
Love and Admiration,
Heart
I don’t think he was saying killing is the right thing to do. He was just expressing Igor’s psychological, emotional point of view. Characters have a life and a mind of their own, the writer does not force his own personality or fuses it into theirs. I don’t think he was trying to say that at all
You are probably right Carmen. There are places in the novel where Igor reflect remorse, and continue his ‘mission’ as he sees himself as a victim, of having been abandoned by his wife. Most people would agree it is ok to kill in self defense, to protect one’s life or the life family members. However, killing is presented almost in an attractive way, with the detailed descriptions of the advanced techniques used, and might seduce a reader to perceive this as admirable actions?
Perhaps you’re right, but it was presented in an attractive way because that is the way Igor percieved it. A person who cannot understand the different characters and the complex emotions of any novel, and not be influenced or swayed by the somehow ugly things written has no business reading the book.
And anyway, that inner monster is present in all of us, and it can be unleashed in a number of ways. If a person has no self control over himself, and the book did not awaken his dark side, then something else surely will … I hope my point got through clearly. I understood what you tried to say, but I don’t agree with it.
Much respect
Hi Carmen!
Interesting thoughts you present. I must admit I don’t think I’m ever able to be a hundred percent objective, I am influenced by all sorts of communication, be it when I read a book, take part in this blog or talk to individuals in the real world. I agree with you we should have insight in our own dark side, and have a solid moral base for our thoughts and actions, to guide us in all these ‘confrontations’ with other opinions. I do not in any way suggest an author is, in any way responsible, if a reader imitate actions of a character in a novel!! Thank god we have free speech, and can focus on any topic between heaven and earth, any time we want.
In rhetoric however, it used to be a common opinion, only a good man can speak well, meaning; we do communicate moral values all the time, and have in a way a responsibility for trying to create a better world, by what we say or write. This doesn’t mean to avoid ugly subject as ‘our wish to kill’, which is as human as criminal novels, it just used to mean, for authors, one tries as the message in so many sagas, legends, fairy tales, tries to show moral consequences of right and wrong, and avoid idolizing the actions of an Igor.
Thanks again for your reflections. It make me ask myself; Am I worthy of reading Paulo’s novel? If he wants to expel me from it, I will take it ad notice. *kidding*
Love to you and Lebanon,
Heart
Dear Sis,
I believe ‘killing’ happens in many levels….for example physically, or psychologically. ANd frankly, I find that ‘psychological killing’ (when one’s dreams are manipulated or killed) is worse than the ‘physical killing’ because, in the first case, the killing never stops, and it is ‘hidden’ behind veils, and layers of veils..whilst in the latter case the physical pain sometime stops..
I also think that the idea of the serious killer was ‘genious’, so as to magnify all that killing that happens in the psychological level..
Last but not least, I think this book , yes, is very different that all the previous ones..but yet, I also think it is so much alike with all of them..As I was reading it, if I didn’t know who the author is , I ‘d guess is was Paulo..
Love and Graditude
Annie
Hi lil sis!
You are comparing mental or physical abuse, and correctly have come to the fact that psychological terror, can hurt a person much worse than physical hurts. As a crime, a murder however, is considered by the courts as much more severe, and it is regarded a mortal sin in religion.
Igor is thinking to himself that he does Olivia a favor of killing her, to relieve her from her situation of an abusive boyfriend, and a hopeless life, of as you describe it, where the ‘killing’ never stops and is hidden behind veils and layers of veils. You are right the psychological hurts are so very painful, many looses the will to live, and even kill themselves from such abuse.
But Annie, as long as there is physical life, there is hope of getting away from that ‘killing’?
Yes, WSA is definitely a Paulo novel as any of his others. It’s a great point you make, that the text reveals to you who wrote it. Now when you say so, I agree, it is his voice, the gentle angel of light voice, and we have seen the scary ‘turning into absolute evil’ before too. Even the shepherd boy at one point considers killing all his sheep. I believe Paulo believe light and dark is always part of each other, as Good and Evil. This for me is hard to accept, as to me there can be no Evil in God?
Love and ADMIRATION :)
Heart
dear Luminita …’the winner stands alone’ is also one of my favorites and I agree with you that it needs time to understand the message…
Love
Hildegarde
xxx
Hello Katerina
I’m Filipa, from Portugal.
I coudn’t agree more with you, i have already made my comment to the book, and let my disapointment speak..
I see paulo’s answer and i wish he could take some time with his point..
Explaining to us, how can this book be the expression of his soul, let your soul speak to us, paulo…
I would love to understand better how can this book that i personally consider a waist of time, be an expression of one of the most beautiful souls i have ever felt…
Can you do that..?
Love to you
I am not expressing here to “save” or “fight” for Mr.Coelho. I think he can easily come and say if he wishes. I respect your point of view, but there is one thing that I find hard to digest in your comment. When you say in your opinion that the writing of this book is a waist of time, well, I think you cross a line for me. If you have read Mr. Coelho’s answer, this book is for him something important, has a meaning for “him”, asked of him courage to follow his “objective”, and what he does is for him, his soul, like what I do is for my soul, me, first of all, and has a sense. Me, I am here to follow my soul today, nourish my soul, follow its path, that most of the time is not approved by many others or recognized. I follow the sense of my path, a sense that maybe another cannot capture, but that does not mean it is a waste, that what I act upon is meaningful, or totally rejectable. I respect that you did not like at all the book, that it meant nothing to you, did not even flick a little light in all that is there in information, but that does not mean that this work is a waste! That author put his time, his love, his energy, his courage, his respect for himself, etc … Maybe a waste of money for you, a waste of time for you, a waste of energy … but for the author, if you read, it was not a waste. For me respect of each other’s path is important. Maybe you had an urge to be nourished in a way that you were used to and then that book did not answer your expectation, and deception is there. That is normal but that also lights something to show that one should not have determined waitings and just be opened to life and experience. I will finish by saying that one thing is there, I respect your courage to express with honesty what is there for you. Cordially, Jojo
Before I took the bus I read your comment Filipa, I didn’t had time to respond until now…
while I sat in the bus I opened Paulo’s book ‘The Pilgrimage’(which I carry mostly with me) at the page that felt open on 244/245.
When I read the words I said to myself this is what I have to share with Filipa…and I do now.
The Pilgrimage
Page 244/245
‘Distinguished brother, thou art asking a great thing
of me. But thou art seeing only the outer layer of our
religion – the beautiful horses and the elegant vestments,’
said his guide. ‘But thou knowest not the hard demands made here within: it will be difficult for thee,
who art master of thyself, to serve others; rarely wilt
thou be able to do as thou wishest. If thou desirest that
thou be here, thou wilt be sent beyond the sea, and if
thou desirest that thou be in Acre, thou wilt be sent to
Tripoli, or Antioch, or Armenia. And when thou desirest
sleep, thou wilt be told to stand guard, and when thou
wantest to stand guard, thou wilt be told to sleep in thy
bed.’
‘I desire to enter the House,’ answered the Australian…
When you are disappointed maybe you have to go and look within why you didn’t feel your soul in this book.
Love
Hildegarde
xxx
Mi querido Paulo,
Que alegria tenerte de nuevo con otra historia que de seguro sera encantadora y sobre todo nutritiva, queria saber cuando visitas el pais? podras correr pero no esconderte :-), me encantaria saludarte en persona y que claro me firmaras mi libro, gracias por el tiempo y la pasion que nos regalas en cada libro,
Cariño y amor,
MLNC,
Maracaibo,Edo. Zulia
Venezuela
hola mi querido Paulo,
Feliz por tenerte nuevo en las librerias, ya me muero por tener el libro en mis mano, me gustaria saber cuando vienes a Venezuela a presentar el libro?, pues podras correr pero no esconderte :-) me encantaria saludarte en persona cuando visites el pais..
Cariños, amor y pasion..
Maria Nappo
Maracaibo, Edo. Zulia
Venezuela
Buenas noches señor paulo,me atrevi a meterme en su blog a bajar un libro y la pagina me da error, resulta que selecciono la opcion de español y siempre me deja ver es en ingles.Le escribo desde venezuela. Muchos saludos desde aca. Espero con agrado ver el programa que van a pasar de usted este sabado en tv azteca.Hasta luego, aunque esta es mi primera visita a su blog, deseo que no sea la ultima y poder bajar el libro de “el ganador siempre esta solo”.Besos y saludos a su esposa tambien.Cuando lea su libro nuevo le comentare que me parecio.Tengo muy buenas impresiones de los que he leido que son el alquimista y el manual del guerrero de la luz.Ahora si me despido, paresco borracho en fiesta de 15 años, que se despide y se despide peo no se va.jajaj. cuidese.
Unexpected ending! nice one! :)
One that questions me is , the relationship, the emotions that emerged between igor and that street vendor ( i forgot her name, jasmine?) after she died. I couldn’t catch it, i couldn’t feel it. their encounter is fast. their relationship is not deep enough for her to emerge, to influence Igor. yet it happens!
Dear Mr. Coelho, itz an amazing book. very well written. thank you for providing me with a good read.
acabo de termianr de leer el libro y solo m queda agradecerle por todo lo q m enseño, en este y en sus demas libros… gracias! y muchas bendiciones!
Me llena de alegría tener el honor de recibir tu correo anunciando el nacimiento de este nuevo libro, me dieron ganas de llorar en tanto terminé de leer la noticia, estaba esperandolo, mi alma lo necesitaba desde hace tiempo y a llegado en el momento preciso, puesto que ahora mas que nunca necesito de tus libros, he perdido un poco el entusiasmo ultimamente jejejeje. Bueno el tema es tu libro, y te agradezco su publicasión, tan sólo el título llenó lo mas profundo de esos espacios vacíos que necesitan ser ocupados por las palabras de una persona tan maravillosa como tú y que cuyo amor está presente en cada una de sus palabras escritas. Quisiera contarte una historia sabes? pero creo que este no es el sitio mas apropiado para hacerlo jajajajaja. Nuevamente el tema es tu libro y sinceramente le doy a Dios porque mis ojos tienen la oportunidad de leerte de nuevo. Se te quiere muchisimo y una vez más gracias por tus libros.
Jsp Venezuela
PDT: Oye pasate por aca a firmar autografos, no he tenido la oportunidad de verte en persona. Que Dios te bendiga.
la verdad muy bueno su libro. desde ya le agradesco porque sus libros me han ayudado mucho a darme cuenta que valiosa que es la vida, y todas las cosas que uno tiene a su alrededor. me han enseñado a pedir perdon y me han enseñado a llevar mis problemas adelante sin hacerme tanta mala sangre. se que hay un dios y usted se ha ganado el cielo lo felicito y lo admiro de todo corazon.
Es la primera noticia que tengo de este libro. Por supuesto correré a buscarlo en cuanto pueda, estoy seguro de que no me defraudará, como no lo han hecho ninguno de los anteriores.
Espero poder comentarle más adelante mis impresiones.
Un saludo y suerte.
Hola, primeramente quiero expresarle mis muestras de gran admiración y cariño,pues sus libros me han dejado mucha enseñanza. Este último libro no he tenido la oportunidad de leerlo, pero en cuanto llegue a mi país me lo voy a obsequiar, estoy segura que me va a apacionar igual que todos los libros anteriores. (brida, once minutos, a orillas del rio piedra, veronika decide morir, el manual del guerrero de la luz)Bueno solo me resta decirle que merece mis respetos por ser un escrito tan integral. Muchas Bendiciones ♥♥♥
Atentamente
MARILYN HERNANDEZ ( El Salvador)