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”.
Dear Paulo,
My best friend is a huge fan of yours. She adores you and she read all your books. She loves your way of writing. Actually,reading is the most enjoyable thing she does. It is her most happiest moments. she usually writes and her writing is amazing. Her dream is to share with you some of her writings so i thought if i can help her with this dream. I didnt know where to send you so i thought this can be an option.
Its her birthday and i thought that the best gift she can ever have is something written from you. Ill be grateful if you send me sth written for her with your signature so i can print it out and give it to her as a birthday present.
Her name is Heba, her Birthday is on the 1st of March. She is a piscien.
This is one of her writings:
A Struggle for Life
As my driver operated car cut speedily through the asphalt and the dark night only lit by cars’ headlights, I couldn’t help but noticing the serene and peaceful desert that run along the window shield before my eyes.
I used to be scared of its darkness and mystery at night, where nothing could be seen other than the endless dunes lit by the passing cars. This endless desert used to represent to me the home of snakes,lizards,foxes,bandits and all the scary things a traveller might think of , but today I had a totally different feeling…
As I sped along the way I felt like stopping the car,leaving it behind me and walking into the desert into the darkness, the cold sand, the serenity…I wanted to stop for a long break or a never ending one..I wanted to lay down on the sand, watch the sky fill up with sparkling stars… I was not afraid of all the deserts’ hazards, I felt unity with nature..it will protect me..I felt stronger than all fears..I wanted to stay there as long as it takes..an eternity maybe just enjoying the silence..the peace the desert brought me..
Weird enough I have always been a beach person..a picean as I am ,I loved the sea,its rumbling sounds,the constant movement tossing and turning every grain.. the folding and breaking of the non- stop waves visiting and unvisiting the expecting shore..
I loved the hot sand,the cold water, the shining sun ,the refreshing breeze. The turquoise sea ,the white sands,the blue skies the crazy contrast of it all such craziness that matched my contrasting self…
But today as I watched the grey sand, the black skies and the shadows of the desert..I wanted to be there..I wanted that colorless scene..I wanted a break from life..
However I knew that nature Will not give me this break,because in a couple of hours the scene would have changed..change is the only constant in life..the blazing sun would heat the sand and bring all creatures to life..I would have to get up and struggle with the heat over my head and under my feet..I would have to fight for survival..again the inevitable fight for survival..
At that realization, I decided to forget about the desert, in less than an hour I’ll be by the sea…I decided to go to sleep and seek refuge in my dreams where I can be free.. “My dreams will set me free” ..with the irony of that thought I closed my eyes ,but a question lingered in my mind..” Do our dreams captivate us in a never ending struggle or do they set us free?”…
hello.i whant know how can i go to santagos rod?I want see may engel or speak whit she.are engels he or she? Pease help me.Tank you
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
Dear Mr. Coelho,
I share my thoughts with Alexandra…this is exactly how I felt about reading “the winner stands alone” as compared to the rest of your books. I felt a shift in the way you usually write. I’m wondering what inspired you?
You’re an amazing writer and I love reading your books to date my favorite is “The Zahir”
Best wishes to you,
May
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