A review by mansikwatra
The Zahir: A Novel of Obsession by Paulo Coelho

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.