Review:
Eleven minutes. 660 brief seconds. Moments of quick pleasure.
Reading the novel made me think about the current life style of people. Why we spend too much, for a luxury, for a "happiness" that would last only for a few moments. Why we try to look for happiness in mundane possessions, that people would actually believe to think that these temporary gifts of the earth would give them their life purpose. The novel spoke of profound and words that are rarely used in today's novels. It was so complex, something that could only be understood if you make an effort to take a look at its depth.
The story spoke volumes, of dreams that were never reached, of the things people aim for but were not to brave to actually try and take the chance. It did not only speak of the main character Maria, but it spoke of the different people around the world, struggling to know who they are and what they exactly want from the life they are living in.
Maria merely played the part of a person that lives in everyone of us, a person who wants to really know what else life has to offer. We all want to just let life take control of us, yet we are afraid of losing things, and we are afraid of change.
The story reflected on Maria's life, how she wanted to run away, how she wanted something new. We all could relate to that. We want to run away from the void that we got used to live in, that we yearn for something new to happen in our life. Most humans dread routine. So we want something new, something that makes our heart pound and make our brain think 10 times than what we were used to. Maria describes how she feels, in the most profound way. It is like, she is speaking with her soul pouring out onto the pages, as if you can feel her emotions rushing through your body as if they were yours.
Yes, the story may be about her becoming a prostitute, yet, aren't we all? We are prostitutes to the society, giving them all we have, just for some temporary happiness that we might feel once we gain our asking price. The story goes on with the twists and turns of her life, how one man changed her forever, how she could not run away from love. We are like this too, we run away from something, something that may have hurt or scared us. Yet somewhere along the way we found ourselves facing this fear again, and this time, just maybe, we're strong enough to withstand all that it has to throw at us.
The book surely is a must read for anyone. It may be a bore because of the long paragraphs and what not, but it is worth it. With this I shall end with a quote from the book, "The strongest love, is the love that demonstrates fragility."
About the book: (From Wikipedia)
I think I'm going to do book reviews this way, that I'd still maintain how I write my stories. At least I won't lose my edge. Anyway, I'm open for any book for review! Any kind of book really. :)
Also, yehey for first blog post on my second blog!
About the book: (From Wikipedia)
Eleven Minutes (Portuguese: Onze Minutos) is a 2003 novel by Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho based on the experiences of a young Brazilian prostitute called Maria, whose first innocent brushes with love leave her heartbroken. At a tender age, she becomes convinced that she will never find true love, instead believing that "love is a terrible thing that will make you suffer....". When a chance meeting in Rio takes her to Geneva, she dreams of finding fame and fortune yet ends up working as a prostitute.
As Maria drifts further away from love, she develops a fascination with sex. But when she meets a handsome young painter she finds she must choose between pursuing a dark path of sexual pleasure for its own sake, or risking everything for the possibility of sacred sex; sex in the context of love.
About the author: (From Wikipedia)
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Paulo Coelho (Portuguese: [ˈpawlu kuˈeʎu]; born August 24, 1947), is a Brazilian lyricist and novelist. He has become one of the most widely read authors in the world today. He is the recipient of numerous international awards, amongst them the Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum. The Alchemist, his most famous novel, has been translated into 67 languages. The author has sold 150 million copies worldwide.
----------------------------------I think I'm going to do book reviews this way, that I'd still maintain how I write my stories. At least I won't lose my edge. Anyway, I'm open for any book for review! Any kind of book really. :)
Also, yehey for first blog post on my second blog!
I really don't like books (or blogs) with long paragraphs. I find that I do get bored and end up skipping over them to move on, so I miss things in the story. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great book review! Sounds like a wonderful read. It's true that we search for happiness in all the wrong places
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds rather interesting! I'm always looking for great books to read.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true about being ready later to take on something we couldn't initially. I like that about this character. Sounds like a nice read.
ReplyDeleteI love Paulo Coelho. It's especially fun to read books in their original language as well. (Helps when you speak Spanish - it's easy to understand Portuguese). I haven't read this one but I'm hoping to add it to my to-read list.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a book I would enjoy reading. Must add to reading list.
ReplyDeleteWhat an emotional sounding story, I shall definitely have to add it to my TBR pile :) x
ReplyDeleteI love to read. I have a pile of books waiting for me, I just need to find the time to read them.
ReplyDeletei really love your take on this book. How we all are a prostitute of some kind; selling ourselves short from meaningful and lasting happiness for fleeting joy. What a great thought!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great book. I'll have to check this one out. Amber N
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really interesting book. I have always liked Paulo Coelho.
ReplyDeleteI love Coelho! I read many of his books in college and you have inspired me to pick it back up. Great review!
ReplyDeleteWell, this looks interesting! Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a great book. I do understand the ones that purchase things even if the happiness only lasts a few seconds or minutes though, it is better than the sadness that is always there, a brief moment that the pain is gone is good until it lands you in financial issues.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting book concept. So true how many many people sacrifice so much to live for a few moments of glory.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on post #1 on blog #2! Sounds like a very interesting read :)
ReplyDeleteThis got to be a good one - after all, it's from Paulo Coelho!
ReplyDeleteI love adventure like this. Im always wanting a new life-sound like a great read!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, we can all relate to those brief moments of longing to run away, at some point or other in our lives. Thank you for the review!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a lovely read. I know I've been guilty of spending a bit on momentary pleasures...:)
ReplyDeleteSounds like this book really got you thinking deeper than just the book. I bet it would be a very interesting read.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very interesting read. After I finish reading all the goodies have right now I will have to check this out.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great review! This also looks like a really good book!
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this novelist before but his book sounds interesting. Thanks for the introduction.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we spend too much time on material things and luxuries when we should focus on what really matters.
ReplyDeletegreat review! sounds like a very interesting book.
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