This time I came with a book THE WITCH OF PORTOBELLO, very interesting book from the Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho. He fought with his own family to attain this place. He was interested to become a writer. But his family was with the engineering industry and his family wanted him to make his career with the legacy business. But finally the writer win and his book been part of this blog.
In the words of Paulo Coelho, enabled his readers to judge by themselves the value of the book. This direct contact is, in his view, the best bet for literature. - Hari
Few weeks back, I got the opportunity of getting “The Witch Of Portobello” for free. Not a used one but a fresh copy (smell of the paper print is still there!!!) from my sister. I started reading it when going to office and also while returning. At first I started jus to pass time during a journey. Couple of days passed. I almost started loving that habit as well as the book. The reason behind is the way of story telling. “The Witch Of Portobello”, written by Paulo Coelho, a brazilian writer, is the story of Athena, a Romanian Woman told by many who know her or hardly at all. Athena was born in Romania, brought up in Lebanon and died in London. The author leaves the character of Athena to the narrator’s perception. Everyone shares their view on Athena which makes us to decide her nature. Athena, a woman who is dissatisfied with what she have an do, goes in search of her enlightment. She plays the roles of an adopted orphan, a confused virgin, working single mother and atlast “The Mother”.
Along with the story, the author walks us through the blood flooded streets of Middle east. It questions our way of living. The author puts forth the question of whether we love what we do. Is everyone living a lie? Some may disagree (including me!!!) the elements author used to explain the way of realizing ourselves. But the story has strong conversations and expressions. Heron Ryan, a journalist says, “No one places the hands of those who destroy them. No one, that is, but Athena”. The chapters in which Athena goes in search of her birth mother who abandoned her portrays the love of a mother on her daughter and vice versa through silence. The story starts with Athena being murdered and goes along with each chapter being the perception of a person about Athena. The author correlates everything and succeeds at the end. The novel ends with a suspense which is unexpected. In general, the book is like a balakumaran novel, directed by K. Balachander (not like the recent ones.. like the ones as “varumayin niram sigappu”) which is controversial as well as commercial. It’s a personality development material in the form of a novel - Balaji
