The Witch of Portobello in Q&A with Paulo Coelho

Mar 11, 2008 Kartix rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is a story of a woman named Sherine Kali, an adopted daughter of Shamira Kali, who eventually known as, Athena. She was born from a gypsy woman in Transylvania, broght up by a Lebanese family which then, due to the country malaise fled to London. She was educated in a modern way but nevertheless she was very religious and always seek spiritual enlightment.

Married in the age of 19 and has a son named Viorel, Athena’s journey was told by others who came in contact with her, her adoptive mothe This is a story of a woman named Sherine Kali, an adopted daughter of Shamira Kali, who eventually known as, Athena. She was born from a gypsy woman in Transylvania, broght up by a Lebanese family which then, due to the country malaise fled to London. She was educated in a modern way but nevertheless she was very religious and always seek spiritual enlightment.

Married in the age of 19 and has a son named Viorel, Athena’s journey was told by others who came in contact with her, her adoptive mother, Shamira; her spiritual guru, Edda; her ex-husband, Lukas; her prodigy, Andrea; a reporter who is in love with her, Hernon, and those who is related to these characters.

What I love about this book is the way Cuelho told the story. We always see Athena from different naration, thus we know that we cannot be sure of who Athena is really like since these description is really depends on how each narrator perceive Athena. Therefore, as you read the book, you will also develop your own opinion about Athena.

She was never physically descibed in this book, except that she has gray eyes and beautiful breasts. We are allowed to build our own Athena throughout the story. I see Athena as a modern woman. She was in fact worked in a bank, then in real estate business (She actually handed her business card to the person who offered her the real estate job, it is very modern, is it? I know I did that in daily basis), she moves from various big cities around the world, she actually wealthy enough to have a bank account to support her and her son for 3 years, and as in my imagination, will have that sophisticated look of an exotic business woman.

I personally do not like the character Heron, since I believe that Athena deserves that Scotland Yard dude (which in the end proved to be existed in spite of Heron’s doubt, haha!). I find my self jeaolous of Athena’s adventure, her quest towards spiritual enlightment, and also the fact that she can have a month off from her work. I mean, who in these days have the luxuty of doing so?
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Mar 23, 2008 Astrid rated it it was ok

(in the beginning)..my comment was "So far so good" lots of inspiring verse and intriguing storyline. "So is she really a witch?" "Why does she seem so charming?"
But halfway of the book till the end.. it was quite boring..
I don't like the part of "Edda" the teacher... maybe coz I don't like reading "too -spiritual" stuff.. I enjoy reading her journey more. But thankfully the ending was unexpected.. very clever if I might say.. so I don't feel regret reading it. But Coelho still inspired and ch ...more

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Apr 04, 2008 Camille rated it really liked it

Such a creative way to tell a person's story! This book made me think a lot about perceptions: preconceived, my own perception of others, and others' perceptions of me. I think it helped me be a little less up tight because I learned that there is always more to any story than just my perception. I'm dying to talk to people who have read this and The Alchemist. ...more

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Aug 22, 2008 Dycz Tacu rated it really liked it

I find this book fascinating. It leaves so many questions while reading it. The good thing about Paulo's books is its always peppered with moral lessons and thought provoking questions.

I love to put the book to my list of re-read.

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Mar 07, 2008 Veronica rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction

I'm still digesting this book. I plow through Coehlo's books as he's one of my favorite authors. I may need to get a second reading in before reviewing. But as usual, there are many nuggets of wisdom throughout the book. ...more

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Mar 25, 2008 Journey To rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Amazing, I am reading every one of his books now because I am just so in love with the way he writes and what he chooses to write about. A def. must read for all.

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