Paulo Coelho sold more than 165 million copies of his books worldwide. His phenomenal bestseller, The Alchemist has roused a dedicated following across the world. But Paulo Coelho is so much more than The Alchemist. He is this prolific author writing far-reaching themes that touches every aspect of human life.
We are full of dreams. These dreams fuel us to pursue whatever it is we think we could become. But along the road, life gets tough. At some point in our search, things get messy, which is why we love Paulo Coelho. This Brazilian author recognized for rich imagery and representations of the usually spiritually inspired undertakings by his characters is loved and admired by millions across the globe.
Paulo Coelho's potent and revitalizing narratives made people easily identifies with his characters and simply make people want to be those characters themselves. Whether you are looking for something new to read, confused in life, wanting inspiration, in hunt for life-changing tales, a spiritual awakening or simply want to mess up with ideas you've probably never heard of before, Paulo Coelho is your next best read.
These 10 must read books from the worldwide bestselling author, Paulo Coelho were vetted to treat your reading spirit.
1. The Alchemist
The blend of magic, mysticism, timeless wisdom and wonder made The Alchemist what it is known for--a life-changing tale of self-discovery. The lives it transforms throughout every generation made it a modern classic that sold millions and millions of copies worldwide. This masterwork by the Brazilian author, Paulo Coelho, tells the mystical adventure of an Andalusian young shepherd, Santiago.
Santiago longs to travel in search of treasures. His pursuit will soon lead him to treasures far from what he imagined but so much more satisfying. Santiago's adventures tell us the utmost vitality of following what our heart desires, of identifying chances, and also discovering how to read the signs scattered along life's course, most significantly, to follow and fulfill our dreams.
Notable line (18752 likes on Goodreads): “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
Grab a copy now: The Alchemist
2. The Devil and Miss Prym
The Devil and Miss Prym, from the renowned Brazilian author, Paulo Coelho is an ingenious portrayal of the duality of human nature and the timeless battle of the human person between good and evil.
Set in the remote town of Viscos--a town too tiny to appear in any map, the novel pictures a community overcome by greed, gutlessness, and fear. In this tiny town where time seemed to have stood still, Paulo Coelho demonstrates the timeless battle of the human person between good and evil.
The story tells of a stranger that one day showed up in this remote village with a notebook and eleven gold bars in his backpack. Tormented by his painful past, the village becomes his accomplice in his quest for answer on whether the human being is fundamentally good or evil. The town’s greed would soon mark their lives forever.
Packed with passion and sensations, The Devil and Miss Prym brings a fresh viewpoint on how individuals grapple with the duality of the human person's nature. It’s also a passionate tale of the rewards that come from conquering fear which prevents a
person from fulfilling a dream and from truly living.
Notable line (3095 likes on Goodreads): "The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.”
Grab a copy now: The Devil and Miss Prym
3. Eleven Minutes
Eleven Minutes tells the story of young Maria who ends up believing that she will certainly never ever find true love. At such a tender age, she thinks that "love only leads to suffering..."
Until a meeting in Rio brings her to Geneva, where she fantasizes of landing to fame and wealth. There, her pessimism towards love will be tested as he comes in terms with handsome young painter.
In her journey of self-discovery, Maria must pick between a course of darkness-sex for pleasure- or running the risk of losing everything to find her "inner light" and the pursuit of hallowed sex, sex in the terms of love.
Notable line (3339 likes on Goodreads: “When I had nothing to lose, I had everything. When I stopped being who I am, I found myself.”
Grab a copy now: Eleven Minutes
4. The Witch of Portobello
Can we be true to ourselves despite our uncertainties of who we really are? If we can, where do we find the courage? These are the main questions of Paulo Coelho's The Witch of Portobello.
It's the story of Athena, a mysterious woman whose story was told by people--those who knew her and those who barely do. In people's stories, Athena was either a manipulator, a victimizer, a user, a woman living ahead of her generation... a teacher.
As a teacher, Athena is an instrument of passing on the sacred mysteries and the awakening of the energy many people are unaware of.
Venturing into unknown seas of mysteries, Athena would eventually pay a price, but a price a lot lesser than she would pay had she repressed her natural tendencies to brave seemingly insurmountable danger for a life full of colors and excitement.
Not trying to follow her heart, she would surely be left embittered, frustrated, always wary about other people's opinions, a believer awaiting for conditions to be right before acting on a dream and a chronic complainer of how things doesn't always go her way.
The Witch of Portobello is sure to change a reader's perspective on love, joy, sacrifice and passion.
Notable line (1817 likes on Goodreads): “You are what you believe yourself to be.”
Grab a copy now: The Witch of Portobello
5. Brida
Brida is an Irish girl. At such young age, she has keen interests in several aspects of magic and is hungry for more.
Searching led Brida to people in possession of great wisdom. She encounters a wise man living in the forest, who teaches her how to trust the goodness that is in the world. She also meets a woman who teaches her the music of the world and how to dance with it.
In her quest to fulfill her destiny, Brida wrestles to balance her relationship between becoming a witch. This fascinating novel contains the themes that avid readers of Paulo Coelho will fall in love with. It is a story of passion, mystery, spirituality, and love.
Notable line (3251 likes on Goodreads): "Nothing in the world is ever completely wrong. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day."
Grab a copy now: Brida
6. The Zahir
The narrator of The Zahir is a successful novelist that lives in Paris and delights in all the benefits fame and money brings. His wife, Esther, a war correspondent was a friend to Mikhail. Whether the latter is the former's lover or not is a mystery.
Then Esther disappeared. Whether she was kidnapped, murdered of was simply escaping a marriage that wasn't at all fulfilling for her was another huge question. The narrator was baffled with many questions without a hint of what truly happened.
Until one day Mikhail finds the narrator and assures him of a reunion with his wife. In his effort to regain a love he'd lost, the storyteller finds something unanticipated about himself.
Notable line (4262 likes on Goodreads): "When someone leaves, it's because someone else is about to arrive."
Grab a copy now: The Zahir
7. Veronika Decides to Die
Twenty-four-year-old Veronika appears to have what every person can dream. She's young and beautiful. She has boyfriends, a supportive family, and a satisfying job.
Still, Veronika feels like something is missing in her life. So on a cold November morning, she swallows a handful of sleeping pills thinking she would never ever wake up. But she woke up--at a mental hospital to be told that she has a few days left to live.
Inspired by Coelho's personal life and experiences, Veronika Decides to Die challenges society's definition of madness and appreciates people that do not fit right into patterns of what it deems to be normal.
Daring and illuminating, Veronika Decides to Die is a valiant portrait of a young woman caught in between anguish and freedom, and also a poetic, lighthearted admiration of every day as another chance to live.
Notable line (2694 likes on Goodreads): "The two hardest tests on the spiritual road are the patience to wait for the right moment and the courage not to be disappointed with what we encounter."
Grab a copy now: Veronika Decides to Die
8. The Winner Stands Alone
In this suspenseful novel, Coelho takes us to the astonishing worlds of money and fame, where devotion to luxury and success at all cost more often than not keeps one from recognizing what the heart truly wants.
In The Winner Stands Alone, Coelho writes a gripping tale of the Cannes Film Festival where the so-called Superclass convene--those who made it through the cutthroat selection process in the world of cinema and fashion. Some of them have reached the pinnacle of success and are wary of losing their exalted positions.
Fame, money, and power are at stake--things most people would do anything to protect.
At this vanity fair, we are introduced to the world of a Russian millionaire Igor; Middle Eastern fashion mogul Hamid; American actress Gabriela, hellbent on landing a lead role; determined detective criminal Savoy, in pursuit of resolving the case of his life; and Jasmine, a woman on the verge of success in modeling.
Who will succeed in identifying and making his or her own personal dream come true?
Notable line (543 likes on Goodreads): "If you love someone, you must be prepared to set them free."
Grab a copy now: The Winner Stands Alone
9. Warrior of the Light
A beloved companion to his classic, The Alchemist, Warrior of the Light encourages us to go in search of the fulfilment of our dreams, to endure life's uncertainty and to rise to our potentiality.
In his unique style, Paulo Coelho reveals to readers how exactly to brave the way of the Warrior: the one that values the wonder of living and of being alive, the one who accepts defeat and the one whose feats leads him to end up being the person he wishes to be.
Notable line (825 likes on Goodreads): "Behind the mask of ice that people wear, there beats a heart of fire."
Grab a copy now: Warrior of the Light
10. Aleph
Considered to be his most personal novel by far, In Aleph, worldwide bestseller Paulo Coelho returns with a captivating tale of self-discovery. Like the hero in his much-beloved The Alchemist, Paulo is dealing with a serious crisis of faith.
As he looks for a road of spiritual revival and growth, his only genuine alternative is to start once again-- to travel, to test his options, to reconnect with other people and also the landscapes around him.
A talented young violinist in the hopes of revitalizing his energy and passion sets off to Africa, and then to Europe and Asia through the Trans-Siberian railroad. In his sojourn, it never crossed his mind to meet Hilal.
A gifted violinist, the woman was loved by Paulo half a millennium ago, the same woman he betrayed due to cowardice so sweeping that it remains to be the reason he still couldn't find true happiness in this life.
Together they will embark on a mystical journey through space and time, journeying in a path that teaches forgiveness, love, and the courage to overcome life's unavoidable difficulties. Mystical and inspiring, Aleph is an invitation to delve into the meaning of our own personal journeys.
Notable line (469 likes on Goodreads): "Don’t be intimidated by other people’s opinions. Only mediocrity is sure of itself, so take risks and do what you really want to do."
Grab a copy now: Aleph
Life is indeed worth living.
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