The Winner Stands Alone
question
Was anyone else disappointed by this book?
Sumayyah
(last edited
May 20, 2012 03:46AM
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May 04, 2012 02:32PM
I have read every Paulo Coelho book that has been published in English. I adore him, he is truly an inspiration in my life and with every book (accept this one) I have always found some guidance, etc. I usually pick up a book and get through it within a few days, if I have time I can complete it the same day :) Unfortunately with this book 'The Winner Stands Alone' I really struggled to get through it. It took me weeks to read a few chapters and then I eventually gave up on it. Over the period of a year, I kept coming back to it to try and see if maybe I wasn't in the right frame of mind when I previously tried to read it, but sadly I always experienced it the same way.
I felt this book was written very differently to his previous books and I would really appreciate any input from anyone who felt the same or who totally disagrees with me. Did i not give the book a fair chance? Should I try again? If yes, what is it that you got out of the book?
Thanks
PS - As much as I was disappointed in this book, I'm glad it did not stop me from picking up his next book - he has completely re-deemed himself with 'Aleph' as he went back to his usual genuine style of writing and I thoroughly enjoyed every line :) Hope you all are still reading his books - after all he is only human and I guess "The Winner Stands Alone" was one of his mistakes :)
I felt this book was written very differently to his previous books and I would really appreciate any input from anyone who felt the same or who totally disagrees with me. Did i not give the book a fair chance? Should I try again? If yes, what is it that you got out of the book?
Thanks
PS - As much as I was disappointed in this book, I'm glad it did not stop me from picking up his next book - he has completely re-deemed himself with 'Aleph' as he went back to his usual genuine style of writing and I thoroughly enjoyed every line :) Hope you all are still reading his books - after all he is only human and I guess "The Winner Stands Alone" was one of his mistakes :)
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I have no idea what he was smoking when he wrote this, but yes, it was very disappointing. The only thing I came away with was "what a waste."
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I liked this book
This is a very different story.
But the most intersting part is that he realizes that his ex wife did not matter to him.
This is a very different story.
But the most intersting part is that he realizes that his ex wife did not matter to him.
this book in one phrase: under the red carbet, there are revers of blood and alot of bones.
that's all.
the reading of this book should be so deep and aware and it might give you a new understanding of this world that we live in.
the book is great and I loved it so much and I think that it's better for the author to write in different kinds.
I don't think that I was disappointed, I enjoyed it not so much but enjoyed it.
that's all.
the reading of this book should be so deep and aware and it might give you a new understanding of this world that we live in.
the book is great and I loved it so much and I think that it's better for the author to write in different kinds.
I don't think that I was disappointed, I enjoyed it not so much but enjoyed it.
Me too, I've struggled to read few chapters over months. I love Paulo and his books so much but not this one. And I thought I was the only one, good to find that other people didn't like it as well.
I loved the book, though I was not satisfied with the end, But still I am not disappointed because I know that they are his views, and I love to read his opinions about life, and everything :)
im expecting Coelho a hundred percent in this one since i have read his two great novels and made me a certified fan of his, but this book is .. it turned out the way it wasn't supposed to be :( but its good. actually. just disappointed personally.
I Loved it. To me it was different.
True, a very big disappointment this book was!! Especially, the ending was too abrupt and pessimistic, quite contrary to the otherwise optimistic insights evangelized by Paulo Coelho. After reading this book, I actually had thoughts on whether I should further read his books. But Aleph and Manuscripts turned out to be fine.
After this book, i am not getting any motivation to read any of his book!
I liked the books quite much ! actually his wife deserved that :D but actually I so wanted him to take the young dreaming actress to Russia where they could spend the life together
So many literary critics...Give the man a break, he has paid his dues.. Who do you people think you are? Criticism comes so easily...If he wanted to write light hearted fiction that is his right. I am deadly tired of literary Nazi's imposing their desires on an authors style and trying to force him into conformity. Take it for what it is or just leave it alone.
I wonder how many of you are prolific and published authors. As Faulkner wrote, "Read, read, read. Read everything -- trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it."
I wonder how many of you are prolific and published authors. As Faulkner wrote, "Read, read, read. Read everything -- trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it."
I understand the sentiments here. It's definitely a departure for him, but I appreciated his clear-eyed look at the shallowness of our "beauty" culture. I think there's a lot of sophistication in this story. It's simply a different approach than an allegory like "The Alchemist." He is showing, rather than telling, that if you get sucked into the world that tells you beauty is only skin deep, you are in danger. I was pretty shocked that, in the end, the killer got away with it. It's certainly a departure from the usual "whodunnit." Perhaps this is Coelho's way of saying that darkness lives in us all and we deny it at our peril.
I just finished "Aleph," and have to say, of all the Coelho books I've read that's the most disappointing one.
I just finished "Aleph," and have to say, of all the Coelho books I've read that's the most disappointing one.
I also didn't know what happened with Coelho when he figured he'd write a book about the backstage of the jet-set life.
I honestly had a good time reading it as when catching a bizarre episode of any tv show on E! Entertainment Channel, but I'd certainly wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
I honestly had a good time reading it as when catching a bizarre episode of any tv show on E! Entertainment Channel, but I'd certainly wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
I was not disappointed at all, in fact I really enjoyed the book a lot! How can you say it was a waste of time? This affirmation does not resonate with me at all.
it was one of the most awful and bullshit books that I've ever read!
I love paulo for veronica and 11 minutes but I can't how much I hate this book!
I love paulo for veronica and 11 minutes but I can't how much I hate this book!
It seems that I was lucky, because on the second attempt to read this book (more or less one year after the first attempt), I was exactly in the right frame of mind and I found this to be a wonderful book that tells much more than the obvious frame narrative.
It is not about to 'understand' the idea of the book, maybe it simply requires to read it at the right time in your life with the right mindset - something that cannot be forced.
It is not about to 'understand' the idea of the book, maybe it simply requires to read it at the right time in your life with the right mindset - something that cannot be forced.
When I abandoned this book after reading it half way through, I took it as real disappointment. However, I am amazed to realize that I still remember a great deal about the characters.
Strong characterization, I must say.
Strong characterization, I must say.
Sumayyah wrote: "I have read every Paulo Coelho book that has been published in English. I adore him, he is truly an inspiration in my life and with every book (accept this one) I have always found some guidance, e..."
I'm totally agree with you
it's boring book and uncorrelated ideas
i rate it with 1 star but this star is to myself because i finish it
I'm totally agree with you
it's boring book and uncorrelated ideas
i rate it with 1 star but this star is to myself because i finish it
It was nothing like any one of his books. I read the Alchemist, Manuscripts found in Accra, By the river piedra so I guess I had certain expectations for something spiritual. I I think he had lots of material which he could have used for something more meaningful and touching
I agree. This book was a let down. It had some interesting moments but the ending was a complete let down and did not have the usual profound meaning that usually accompanies his books.
This was my first book by Paulo Coelho, so I have nothing to compare it to. On its own this book left me confused. I didn't hate it, but it was a struggle to keep going at times.
I have also read many books of Paulo but this disappoints me a lot though after reading "aleph" ,I can say , he is back in his genre of writing which everybody loves to read ;)
I don't know but he is a real writer but this book......shocked me!!
Even I was wondering , what he was trying to tell in this book.As a Paulo fan , I was disappointed big time after reading this.
I did not like this book either, it was to preachy!!!
Nothing like The Alchemist, 11 Minutes to any or his others book and I read most of them...
I read it a couple years back but I still have the bitter taste in my mouth!!! I even went to his blog to let him know!!!
Nothing like The Alchemist, 11 Minutes to any or his others book and I read most of them...
I read it a couple years back but I still have the bitter taste in my mouth!!! I even went to his blog to let him know!!!
Yes, I was largely disappointed by this book. It is so different to his other books, less mystical and more cynical. At times I felt he wrote this 'angrily', as if having a rant at the world.
yes, Indeed the book was an unexpected disappointment from Paula coelho.
Oh THANK GOD! I thought I was the only one! This book was a disaster. I had the same experience with it as you did. I've tried reading it once, twice, thrice, and it took me FOREVER to finish it and I still don't get the point of it. I thought that I hated it because there are lots of characters; it's not that focused! And then I thought maybe because there's a lot of information that aren't needed! But I still don't know what was the point of it?
I thought "Winner Stands Alone" started good at the beginning; but as I read more, I became annoyed how preachy the characters became and how some characters did several pages of unnecessary monologues that did not contribute to the story. However, I enjoyed lots of his other books like "The Alchemist" "Veronika Decides to Die" "Witch of Portobello" and "By the River Piedra", but "Winner Stands Alone" was just a complete disaster.
I completely agree, with you! I was totally disappointed with this one. Very cynical and mean.
Couldn't agree more,cynical,predictable.if Coelho was about to try his hand in detective stories,he failed gloriously.
Me too...
When I read a book of Paulo Coelho, I usually got some principles or lessons that can be applied in my life, but when read this one I did not get any. May be the that is the reason behind my disappointment.
But I do not think that 'Winner Stands Alone' is a 'Disaster', it contains a lots of information and the characterization was really good.
When I read a book of Paulo Coelho, I usually got some principles or lessons that can be applied in my life, but when read this one I did not get any. May be the that is the reason behind my disappointment.
But I do not think that 'Winner Stands Alone' is a 'Disaster', it contains a lots of information and the characterization was really good.
I'm actually glad to hear I'm not the only one who was disappointed in this book. All I could do was shake my head in disbelief after completing the book. I've read all of Paulo Coelho and I must say this one threw me for a loop. I don't mind authors branching out to try new style of writing, but I've come to look forward to reading his books because I can always find wisdom in his stories, can't say the same for this one. I got nothing out of this. Thank you Sumayyah, for starting the discussion.
I think- this is one of his few books, which has a different style of writing. Not the Alchemist style of writing. I agree with most of you guys here. Looks like this book was one from the Sidney Sheldon libraries. May be that's why we did not like it much.
I agree , this was disappointment for me. Too obvious too repetitive too simplified , just plain waist of time when weight agains many . May it should have being marked for young and not too beep audience.
i totally agree. never had the strength to finish it to the end. it was too disappointing.
I love reading Paul and he's on of the best writer of our time, there is no doubt but this book is very slow and the way it starts and ens is disappointing from an Author of his stature. I think when he wrote the book was not in mood to write or it was published bundling the manuscripts without editing them.
True,it felt like he was on a deadline or something.Completely disappointing,considering the standard expected from him.
Sumayyah wrote: "I have read every Paulo Coelho book that has been published in English. I adore him, he is truly an inspiration in my life and with every book (accept this one) I have always found some guidance, e..."
I cannot describe how disappointed I was after reading this.. I had just read The alchemist and really enjoyed it. I wanted to read the book "Veronika decides to die" or something next but I came across this book instead. The cover pulled me in at first and then the review about fame.
But God this was awful. I didn't bother reading any of his other books after this. It just left a bad taste in my mouth.
I cannot describe how disappointed I was after reading this.. I had just read The alchemist and really enjoyed it. I wanted to read the book "Veronika decides to die" or something next but I came across this book instead. The cover pulled me in at first and then the review about fame.
But God this was awful. I didn't bother reading any of his other books after this. It just left a bad taste in my mouth.
I have to agree entirely, at was as if he was trying his hand at some other genre entirely - and not one that was worthy of his genius! I have been reluctant to reach his latest one because of it. Definitely not worth further effort my friend, ditch it - there are far too many great novels in the world to waste time with those that are not. Hopefully it was one small lapse in a brilliant career.
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