The Zahir

I think I was more interested in the story after reading the interview with author included at the end of my copy, haha. I didn't connect much with the characters, but the philosophy and travel aspect of it was interesting!

Un beau parcours, une belle recherche, une introspection et beaucoup de questionnements sur l'amour et nos relations. Un peu dur à aborder au début, le livre devient plus aisé à lire ensuite. Certains passages m'ont touchés, certaines phrases interpellés mais j'ai eu du mal à m'attacher à l'histoire dans sa globalité. Reste quelques beaux enseignements.

2.6 stars
Okay, dear dear Paulo Coelho. Where do I start?


This is how this book briefly was written.



Careful, this review contains spoilers!
Just so you guys and girls know, this is the seventh book I read by the dude in here, so I am talking based on previous experience, not prejudgment, ok? Paulo in this extravagant novel is searching for his wife who decided to leave no trace of her whereabouts to him because she felt unhappy. Unhappy because he doesn't understand her, because he is always too busy because bla bla bla bla bla. I think in his mind, Coelho created the impossible kind of woman. I would never suspect that a woman would be ok with her husband having affairs all the time and when he says that he doesn't want her anymore, she puts her foot down and says NO, you do want me. blakh. Annd then when he finds out that she left him, and that now, in the end of the book, she's pregnant, he's cool with it. He's very cool. no. There's NO guy out there like that no matter how good he is. okay, now I want to talk about the dudes EXCELLENT (not) philosophy. After 7 books, I finally would express my dismay!!! WOHOU. The picture below will explain what I am feeling right now. His philosophy is very shallow and cheesy. I am not going to start lecturing people on MY philosophy. No. I am not here to do that. But I want to say that sometimes some things are more important than personal happiness and that NO ONE is happy except the ignorant. So I am happy with my unhappiness, thank you very much, Coelho. I hate his philosophy and his style of writing (ok, I know. I am reading the translation BUT) is very annoying, disturbing, and it feels like he took extra doses of drugs while writing all of his books. It is sooo calm, and it is SOOO ANNOYING. Argh. okay. This is me only. oh, and, the whole talk about God and the bible scriptures... it is just bleurgh. Dude... no, just no. i respect your religious beliefs BUT NO. He puts his religiousness in a very cheesy concept. And he goes on and on talking about the energy of love and how it would save our lives. Dude, I know that shit, I really do. but your cheesy kind of writing style is making me hate the hell out of love and promote violence. Your books are dull, very dull, and boring. I know I know I shouldn't read them if I don't like them but curiosity gets the best of me. I try to read any book I set my eyes upon no matter how good and bad it is. besides, I think esther is a bitch. oh and I hate how he promotes for his other books IN HIS BOOKS. DONE IT THOUSANDS OF TIMES. DUDE, HOW MUCH REALLY DO YOU WANT TO SELL YOUR BOOKS? GREEDY LITTLE BASTARD.The only thing I liked about this book is his obsession with his wife. Nice idea. LOVED IT. It is very new, especially since people rarely admit about their obsessions.

Initially the story was very pleasing but later when Mikhail took a part in the story I was completely annoyed by the things that he was preaching.. Later part of novel completely revolves around the superstitions of Mikhail - Divine voice of love... I didn't like it as I don't believe in them. If I ignore those things then I would surely enjoy the novel fully for its philosophical content...

Though there are many, here are some citations which I likes to the most..

“I'm not interested. I'm not in the mood
How could they possibly know if they were in the mood or not if they had never tried? But there was no point in asking; the truth was they were afraid of any change that would upset the world they had grown”

“Until One morning, I'll wake up and find I'm thinking about something else, and then I'll know the worst is over. My heart might be bruised, but it will recover and become capable of seeing the beauty of life once more. It's happened before, it will happen again, I'm sure. When someone leaves, it's because someone else is about to arrive.”

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.”