Your Opinion on the Narrative Structure

by Paulo Coelho on July 1, 2009

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Monica Villarreal July 28, 2011 at 1:35 am: The nostalgic theme of love and religion, embodies the concept of faith in both arenas. The idea of the maternal image of the Virgin Mary and the symbolism of water recreates re-birth of faith. Seven months ago I had a dream of St. Bernadette, I did not know who she was until I did research online, she appeared to me while I was going to cross a path of furious lions with my two children. She approached to me and told me not to be afraid to continue my path that I only need to have faith to pass through the lions and my children and I will not get hurt. I am not of a Catholic faith and do not believe in saints but in my dreams St. Bernadette seemed to overcast a glow of light a warmth that radiated but not from her but from someone beside her the Immaculate Conception. I began reading your series of books and frankly did not seemed very interested, besides my mom telling me that you are not morally correct because of your past with witchcraft, she is a Christian fanatic. I continue reading because I believe that there is always a purpose for every event even in the miniscule category. I am very interested why the idea of Saints and the Virgin Mary? Was it a reoccurring dream to you as it was to me?

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benvinda June 13, 2011 at 9:01 pm: este livro é magnifico… Já li quase todos, cada um com o seu fascinio… o que mais me marcou – Zahir! Obrigado pela sua escrita, cada livro e unico…

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Tatiana Targino December 26, 2010 at 2:28 pm: Paulo tenho que agradecer-lhe por este livro maravilhoso, posso dizer com convicção, sem medo algum, que hoje tudo o que li e leio, todo o Amor que sinto ao ler um livro, iniciou-se ao ler este livro.
Este foi o 1º livro que li em minha vida, inteiro, do prefacio ao ultimo ponto final, e graças a este tenho completa afeição pela leitura.
Tenho que dizer também que já li este livro 7 vezes, e cada leitura aprendo algo diferente, cada leitura me identifico com a personalidade de um dos personagens, a cada leitura faço uma nova passagem da outra.
Muito obrigada!
Parabéns por utilizar com destreza este dom que Deus lhe deu.

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Paul October 14, 2010 at 5:15 pm: There are many features of this book that I love. Perhaps the most poignant feaure of this novel is the passage of ‘the other.’ I try and read this at least once every day until like the character I have it committed to memory. It’s message is one of the most powerful I have ever read, the question I pose is that is this a traditional fable or is it something created from the mind of Mr Coelho?

On the narrative structure I must compliment the author on his use of religion as a standard theme that binds the actions of the characters. Usually I find religion in literature a huge turn off but its use in this novel isn’t imparted in a preaching sense and instead merely serves to highlight the relationship between the individual, men and women and the spiritualist endeavours that draw so many people to the work of Pablo. At no point did I feel I was trying to be converted and found myself enjoying its inclusion immensely.

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Moema Condado October 11, 2010 at 7:21 pm: Este livro é simplesmente emocionante, uma história singular que faz o leitor setir-se em cada pedacinho de cada lugar e ao final, chorar como se estivesse á beira daquele rio. Perfeito!!

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