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scunareader's review against another edition
3.0
First, I want to make it clear that I don't care that Coelho writes his stories around strings of quotable cliches. I don't care. He may not be the Giorgio Armani of literature, but he is certainly the artisan who creates the pretty fabrics.
I didn't really understand the mission of the main character. I guess the bottom line is that I'm too selfish to share someone I love with anyone else lest the love for me should be overshadowed. Isn't that the greatest fear of anyone that loves someone else? That the love is temporary? That anyone is replaceable? That the journey of life may contain countless opportunities to love many people, not just one? Is that not the most terrifying feeling? To think to oneself "I may love you now, but I can't guarantee that I will after spending day after innumerable day with you..." It's the risk we take that allows us that brief joy of being loved wholly by someone, even if it's only for a little while.
How sad and happy, all at once.
I didn't really understand the mission of the main character. I guess the bottom line is that I'm too selfish to share someone I love with anyone else lest the love for me should be overshadowed. Isn't that the greatest fear of anyone that loves someone else? That the love is temporary? That anyone is replaceable? That the journey of life may contain countless opportunities to love many people, not just one? Is that not the most terrifying feeling? To think to oneself "I may love you now, but I can't guarantee that I will after spending day after innumerable day with you..." It's the risk we take that allows us that brief joy of being loved wholly by someone, even if it's only for a little while.
How sad and happy, all at once.
arre_ankit's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
It's started with a plot of finding your love and how one can get so attached to a person he truly loves but it ended with a spiritual notes. Some plots and quotes in books are good but I can't find it too much intresting it was a decent book to read and it was little heavy but the examples and quotes are good. Overall I loved the experience of the book and just want to read the quotes not the entire book lol....
jadtriestoread's review against another edition
1.0
Oh my god, this book! I had such high hopes because I've heard such awesome things concerning this book but I was let down so much by it.
I actually HATE this book so much. I could not stand the characters, the plot or even the "deep philosophy" that Paulo was supposed to provide here.
All I read in this was "me me me me me me me me me" Like what the hell is going on!? Then there's his wife's friend Mikhail that never SHUTS UP!!!! I know that the philosophy was presented here in the form of Mikhail's speech but still.
This book forced me to do something that I NEVER even thought I would do to a book before and which is skip pages!!! NOT SKIM BUT SKIP!!!! I couldn't even skim anymore but I was determined to finish it because I had already bought it and I don't like to have unfinished books on my shelf.
The end is what REALLY irked me. He meets up with his wife and then BAM like nothing happened they got back together! Like WHAT!?! NO!
I wish I'd never bought this book.
I actually HATE this book so much. I could not stand the characters, the plot or even the "deep philosophy" that Paulo was supposed to provide here.
All I read in this was "me me me me me me me me me" Like what the hell is going on!? Then there's his wife's friend Mikhail that never SHUTS UP!!!! I know that the philosophy was presented here in the form of Mikhail's speech but still.
This book forced me to do something that I NEVER even thought I would do to a book before and which is skip pages!!! NOT SKIM BUT SKIP!!!! I couldn't even skim anymore but I was determined to finish it because I had already bought it and I don't like to have unfinished books on my shelf.
The end is what REALLY irked me. He meets up with his wife and then BAM like nothing happened they got back together! Like WHAT!?! NO!
I wish I'd never bought this book.
mansikwatra's review against another edition
4.0
The first time I picked a Paulo Coelho book, the hype associated with it was mind-boggling. Every other bookseller was displaying it as their most priced book ever. And without much hassle, the book sold a lot of copies. It was 'The Alchemist'. The 38,000 word tale was enough to tell you what your heart already knew. 5 years later, I am sitting in my bedroom, with my copy of 'The Zahir', wondering how this author peels off the first layer of your skin. The process is just to ensure a rise in awareness of being in presence of things that make you see yourself in a wholly different way. Stinging and sympathising, partly with the author and partly with the bits of the protaganist that live inside mr, I learned that being stripped of that skin -the acomotador- is the best thing that could happen.
Zahir is something or someone that comes into your life, fills up the spaces in your heart and mind, and then simply refuses to leave. It becomes an obsession. The author's journey in the book is pretty similar to Santiago's quest in 'The Alchemist'. Both of them are in search of their treasure. But there is a bigger picture here: Things will change in the most twisted way possible but when the time is right, you will find what you are looking for. Till then keep building the bridge of faith.
Zahir is something or someone that comes into your life, fills up the spaces in your heart and mind, and then simply refuses to leave. It becomes an obsession. The author's journey in the book is pretty similar to Santiago's quest in 'The Alchemist'. Both of them are in search of their treasure. But there is a bigger picture here: Things will change in the most twisted way possible but when the time is right, you will find what you are looking for. Till then keep building the bridge of faith.
memimmm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
toruokada's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mandi_holloway's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I just didn't get it...the book lacked significance and a good ending. The main character was egotistical, self obsessed and irritating. I felt like we weren't meant to like him in the beginning, but even his transformation by the end of the book felt incomplete and insignificant.
The whole book attempted to be poignant but in reality felt lack luster and confusing. The ending was frustratingly unresolved as well.
The whole book attempted to be poignant but in reality felt lack luster and confusing. The ending was frustratingly unresolved as well.
seymone's review against another edition
5.0
I truly enjoyed this book. In love sometimes, we fall into the monotony of life and the person we love the most then becomes a stranger. This book is about a man's journey to gain back his Zahir(love/obsession). However, because of this love he rediscovers himself.
Here is a quote from the book that will say with me forever. "That is why it is so important to let certain things go. To release them. To cut loose. People need to understand that no one is playing with marked cards; sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. Don't expect recognition for your efforts, don't expect your genius to be discovered or your love to be understood. Complete the circle. Not out of pride, inability, or arrogrance, but simply because whatever it is no longer fits in your life. Close the door, change the record, clean the house, get rid of the dust. Stop being who you were and become who you are."
Here is a quote from the book that will say with me forever. "That is why it is so important to let certain things go. To release them. To cut loose. People need to understand that no one is playing with marked cards; sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. Don't expect recognition for your efforts, don't expect your genius to be discovered or your love to be understood. Complete the circle. Not out of pride, inability, or arrogrance, but simply because whatever it is no longer fits in your life. Close the door, change the record, clean the house, get rid of the dust. Stop being who you were and become who you are."
710ap's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25