Books : The Witch of Portobello: A Novel (P.S.)

Rating: - Best novel I've read in years
Those who think this book is "terrible" have not an OUNCE of spirituality flowing through their veins. This book screams a fiery passion, mixed with absolute divinity. This is the first Coelho book I have read, although I have most certainly heard of "The Alchemist" first (I just thought it would be boring - now I HAVE to read it!). I decided to give this book a chance instead, and to my surprise, it was so delicious. It seems short, and I was thrown off by how seemingly easy it is to read. But I couldn't put it down. I mean that literally - I was reading it at work, in the car, until I finished it. The book moved me to tears. You have to read this book. I fell in love with the main character, Athena. She seems so real, you will wish you could speak to her, and be one of her students.

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Rating: - A Novel of Intrigue and Spirituality
The Witch of Portobello quietly but eloquently leads the reader along a journey into depth and discovery. With each new expose, written in the voices of Athena's family, friends, and acquaintences, she is gradually and seductively revealed.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect aspect of this novel lies in Coehlo's ability to gently expose the dramatic difference between how a person is understood by others and who that person really is. Yet, ironically, it is through the eyes of others, of those who love her, who resent her, and who try to emulate her, that the character's authentic ethereal nature emerges. Athena's story resonnates with anyone who has ever felt misunderstood, particularly on a spriritual level.

The novel is not without a broader political message, one that rejects fear-driven bigotry and embraces the idea that, despite deep ideological differences, people can learn not only to understand and accept one another, but to love one another as well.

Without sinking to gratuitous or manipulative sentimentality, Coehla leads the reader on a journey to Athena's heart that is, at times, painfully sad. None the less,the reader is left with the assurance that the possibility of redemption-through-community remains a distinct and shining possibility.

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Rating: - A great read
This book is a terrific read as well as an introduction to the many facets of western hermetic mysticism.

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Rating: - New Age-y Mush
I read and enjoyed The Alchemist a few years ago, and my wife wanted me to
try this one, but it sure didn't do it for me. While I'm intrigued by the
story-told-by-many-viewpoints technique, there is very little story to tell for most of the book, just the vague spiritual quest of a little-characterized but seemingly very self-involved girl trying to understand why she Feels Different. She falls under the tutelage of a Pagan priestess, comes to understand she Is Different, develops a relationship with the Mother Goddess, takes on the mission to Spread the Love, flirts with martyrdom, etc. etc.
I'm sincerely open to alternative religious exploration, but the belief system described here is nothing but the sort of hazy, hippy sentiment you'd hear in any freshman dorm room through a cloud of incense and dope smoke. (Dance to commune with the goddess; Take your clothes off to Really Communicate with each other; Give up your Gender Hangups to achieve Sexual Freedom... None of this is made up, by the way).
The characters are never real enough for the book to be a commentary on how religion works in the real world, and the Spiritualism described is certainly not concrete enough for this to be considered a serious religious exploration, so we're left with a meandering story that's supposed to be Profound simply because the characters tell us it is.
I didn't buy it.

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Rating: - "Paulo Coelho did it again"
Like the other books I have read of Paulo Coelho, Once I started reading I couldn't put the book down!!! He manages to engage the reader's attention, is amazing!
This is the story about a young woman named Sherine, who used to go by the name Athena, who has a spiritual gift, she was born with it, and followed her intuition to developed it further!
Paulo Coelho is a genious!!! He wrote this book in the form of a series of interviews with the people who knew her and were close to her. You can see the theory of people projecting themselves in other people, in action here! For example a man who was in love with her, projecting his feelings into her, and assuming whatever he wanted to assume from her, and a women projecting her insecurities into her, and assuming what she wanted to assume to suport her theories about Athena, both of them wrong, and so on with most everybody else. Some of this people changed their view, once the surrender their expectations, and learnt to just be and let others be, others in this case mainly Athena, which actually is a free spirit who learnt to connect to her source, and live her life taping into this source, this flowing river of life, which has no limitations, which is pure love and no judgement. Athena seemed to me like a being with no agenda, except the propagation of the Love for the Universal Mother, and with no judgement. She seemed only concerned with fulfilling her mission in this world and taking care of her family, her consciousness was very high, as also her ability to manifest prosperity, she was also a very nurturing being.
You can also see from this novel, that the witch hunt does continue in other forms.
People should just respect others people beliefs without judging, and love unconditionaly. The comandment says love your neighbor like yourself, it doesn't say love your neighbor who goes to your church like yourself.
You are supposed to shine your Light to the world, but is dangerous, one must be discreet and act very humbly.