Sowmya's comments (member since Dec 25, 2007)

Sowmya's comments from the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die group.

jzhunagev wrote: "Merima wrote: "This is one of the greatest writers of all time. I loved The Alchemist of course, but The Zahir is definitely worth of mentioning. Seems like everything he writes turns into pearls o..."

Just read it and I didn't like it as much as his other books

jzhunagev wrote: "But The Alchemist is a very good book to initiate one to the philosophies of Paulo Coelho..."

I hadn't read that one. Just finished it and its really good. I love stories that have luck associated with coincidences and here there is an attempt to explain it, philosophically.

Lauren wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I've been wanting to read him... Does anyone have any suggestions on where to start? I was thinking Veronika Decides to Die..."

Definitely start with the alchemist, which in my opin..."

It's difficult to suggest a first book because for some, a particular PC book may just not gel. I'd say read any one and if you don't like it, don't give up on him. Read another.

Duane wrote: "That's true and understandable.

I hope I didn't come off as too pushy with what I said. It's just I read the first few replies about disliking the vague ending and all, and I thought that was the ..."

You did have a point ...

That is very true Duane. Ultimately the main aim is to enjoy a story. It is just interesting to see how many people agree with whatever version you chose to believe.

Misty wrote: "Sowmya wrote: "I agree. I love his books too, however it's the ideas he puts forth rather than the writing which is so amazing."


That's exactly how I feel about him. I find myself thinking about..."

As preachy books go.. I like his style the best though, without making a pretence about it, he states his messages in an interesting way through seemingly real, interesting characters, sometimes drawing on personal experiences.

In Veronika.. for ex. as she is about to die, her emotions are so profound that she is unable to convey them in a simple suicide note .. and (not to be a spoiler) the end result is ridiculous, without meaning to be! That is such a marvellous observation; sometimes words are just not enough.And yet this is one situation where it should definitely be necessary to convey exactly what the matter is. It's the end! And oddly(or not) it's one of the reasons for her depression!

Each of his books are similarly filled with simple universal truths wrapped up neatly in a unique experience. What's unusual is that sometimes the moral precedes the story.
Since English was not the original language the books were written in (I didn't realize that when I posted the comment replied to here) the language is perhaps meant to be utilitarian, a medium to reach more readers.

The ambiguities are peppered throughout the book, which makes the reader (I think) readily buy in to the authenticity of a person's state of mind during a horrendous struggle for life.
Yes it would have been less interesting if the second story had been left out. A curious mind always seeks that extra bit of information.. did the writer favour either version or 'fix' the ambiguity with the intention of letting the reader decide ?
A good debate.

The first book I read was '.Witch of Portebello' and right away I was quite impressed. It was touted as non-fiction but as I was reading it I realized Coelho deserves his own Genre.
Since then I've read 'Veronica ..' and 'The Devil and Miss Prym.' all very good reads.
Now I've managed to collect almost all his English translated books into my library (except for the Alchemist) and can't wait to get to it!

I will definitely see the movie.

Daniel wrote: "I think the real question here is not which story actually occurred, but which story we CHOOSE to believe is true.

In the end, which story we choose to believe in tells us a lot about ourselves.

..."

Yes I agree

The tiger story was false - the coping mechanism that created this story being born out of a 'real' struggle.
The second story was True - the absolutely normal recital of it that conveys little emotion is false.

Wonder what the author's views are?
Yeah great book!

Heard about him for the first time from Good Reads. His book 'Rabbit at Rest' is out of stock in India since his death.
I managed to get and read Rabbit Is Rich and it was indeed a good read.

Lynn, I just finished Veronica decides ... and it is really good. I would recommend it for all PC fans. He shares a bit of his own life, drawing from his own personal experience to share some uncomfortable facts of life.

Bishop wrote: "I would not consider Coelho to be a Nobel-caliber writer. If he won, I'd be very disappointed.

That's just one man's $.02...what do I know?"

I agree. I love his books too, however it's the ideas he puts forth rather than the writing which is so amazing.

I think both stories are true in the sense that the whole book is an exaggerated imagination of a person struggling for survival, and that was the real thing.

Just started 'One hundred years of solitude' and already loving it ..