Paulo Coelho is a prose writer from Brazil who gained world fame in the 90s of the twentieth century. His life path was far from simple. To do what he loved, he had to undergo medical treatment in a psychiatric hospital and go to prison. But, despite all the obstacles, Paulo Coelho, whose books are adored throughout the world, did not give up his dream.
His works are the most widely read in Portuguese. They are translated into sixty-seven languages of the world. That says a lot. Coelho's books found their grateful reader. However, not everything is so cloudless. There is a lot of criticism addressed to the author, including the excessive seriousness of his thoughts and the literary language, even some dryness and lack of new ideas. Ironical opuses and literary cartoons are written about the author. For example, Dmitry Bykov, known for his wit, writes: "The words are empty, the mind is birdish, the ideas are virgin simple ..."
In spite of everything, Coelho's books, the list of which is presented in this article, are the best-selling and most readable in the world. Some are even listed in the Guinness Book of Records ("Alchemist").
The life of a writer is a series of incredible events and searches for himself. As we can see, all our plans came true. And Coelho’s books are a reflection and description of his searches for inner harmony and involvement in the world. The writer went along this difficult path with his wife Christina, who was his muse and support in many matters. Thanks to her, many of his works are written.
In this article, we present you the best books of Coelho.
"Alchemist"
Although the novel was not the first in the bibliography of the writer, it undoubtedly occupies a leading position among all the works of Paulo Coelho. Books, a list of books more precisely, includes twenty-one items. Alchemist was the second book written by a prose writer. It was published in 1988. And made a real sensation in the world.
The plot of the book was not original. The plot was taken from European folklore. The main character was the Spanish shepherd Santiago, who lived in Andalusia. One night he had a dream in which he found mountains of treasures at the pyramids in Egypt. Gypsy in exchange for a share of future treasures interprets his dream. Then he meets Melchizedek, an old man who helps his doubts to doubters. He gives the shepherd two unusual stones with which to understand the will of the Lord. In exchange, he takes a share of the herding herd.
Having decided, Santiago sells his sheep and goes to Egypt. There he loses money and, in order to somehow live, gets a job as a seller of crystal glass. From one Englishman he learns about a certain Alchemist, whom he soon finds.
The alchemist gives him knowledge of the "soul of the world", guides him along the path of His destiny. After that, the shepherd meets the beautiful Fatima, and finds treasures not in Egypt, but in his homeland.
Coelho's books, according to the author himself, are permeated with special symbolism. When the novel "Alchemist" was written, the author tried to understand the meaning of existence, to comprehend the unknown. The main idea of the work is that you need to follow your destiny and never give up.
"Valkyries"
Paolo Coelho, whose books are largely biographical, wrote the novel "Valkyries", focusing also on the events of his life. He tells of the time when the writer was in the "Alternative Society". It was a haven of anarchists who deny order and laws, capitalism. In addition, they practiced black magic and were mystically inclined.
The authorities considered their activities subversive, dispersed the society, and detained its main ideologists. The author then avoided serious consequences, since he was recognized insane.
The novel describes a man's search for his guardian angel. The hero’s long journey through the American Mojave Desert should lead him to a solution. It was there that he met the mysterious women warriors, led by the Valkyrie. The hero with his wife goes with them to find peace.
In fact, the main Valkyrie is a real character. However, Coelho does not name her, she appears as Jay. It was this woman who at one time helped the writer come to Catholicism.
"On the shore of Rio Piedra, I sat down and cried"
This novel was written in 1994. Paolo Coelho, whose books are imbued with light and faith, conceived it as the first book in the series "On the Seventh Day" of three novels.
This is a work of love, but not only. The main character of the novel is named Pilar. In just a week, her life is changing dramatically. She meets her love, experiences fear of loss, and also makes a vital choice.
The novel contains the idea that love is the main thing in human life, it leads us along the right path. It is easy to come to God through this feeling, and you can do it against all odds. You do not need to be a miracle worker monk to gain his mercy.
Each person sooner or later in his life's journey faces the problem of choice. And this is inevitable. Coelho's books teach their readers that fear is overcome, and choice is inevitable.
"Veronica decides to die"
It was written in 1998. In Russia, Coelho's second most popular book. She is also part of the trilogy "And on the seventh day."
This is a fictional story about a girl Veronica from Ljubljana. She is only twenty four years old. But a boring life and constant despondency makes her think about death. She drinks a large number of pills and, in anticipation of their action, writes a letter to the journal.
Suicide failed, doctors managed to save the girl. But now she is in a psychiatric hospital, where she finds out that she does not have long to live. Her heart is very weak after an unsuccessful suicide.
From this moment, Veronica is overwhelmed with a thirst for life. She finds new friends in the hospital and finds love in the face of schizophrenic Edward. in order to live the last days to their fullest, lovers escape from the hospital.
Paulo Coelho, whose books have not been filmed before, was pleasantly surprised that in 2005 the Japanese made a film based on this novel. And in 2009, Hollywood did the same.
"The Devil and Senorita Prim"
The 2000 novel is the last in the series "And on the seventh day" by Paulo Coelho. Books are united by the fact that the entire plot unfolds in one time period. During the week, the heroes radically change their lives.
The plot of the work is very entertaining. in a quiet town there is a decrepit old woman, Bert, who every day is sad about the death of her husband and is waiting for the devil to take her.
A stranger appears in the city, who bury gold bars in the forest. He meets a young girl, Chantal Prim, who works at a local bar and is waiting for the opportunity to leave here. From time to time, she starts novels with visitors, but they do not end with anything.
The stranger tells the girl about the treasure and promises to give it to the inhabitants of the town. But for this they must kill someone. He offers Prim gold bullion for telling this offer to the townspeople. And in order not to be unfounded, she tells her where the ingot is buried. In the girl’s soul, a real fight begins ...
The book raises the eternal questions of good and evil, and also presents the theme of fear. Fear of choice, fear of loneliness, poverty, and most importantly, fear of death.
The author does not give an exact answer to the question whether there are good and evil people, but suggests that a person is fighting every minute between Evil and Good, and the scales are leaning here and there.
Eleven Minutes
Coelho’s book, 11 Minutes, was published in 2003. This novel belongs to the category of works in which the "female" theme dominates. Here we are talking about the prostitute Maria, who, in her life example, discusses the world around her, about problems in sex, which she considers paramount in her life.
Maria works in this area quite consciously and even enjoys. She believes that this is the only way to know yourself and your nature. She goes through suffering, pain, pleasure and claims that this is normal. However, her opinion changes dramatically when in the final part of the novel she understands the meaning of true love.
"The Witch of Portobello"
2007 novel The book is about the mysterious girl Athena. She was born in Romania, brought up in Beirut, lived in London. Who was she? The daughter of a gypsy and an Englishman, she had an aristocratic upbringing. She lived on Portobello Street until she was killed.
The book is a collection of stories and memories of her. Friends, neighbors, ill-wishers, lovers - she left a mark on everyone in her soul. But even those who were near Athena during her life did not really know her.
This book is for women who are trying to find themselves in this world, to know their inner world and their "I". But the fascinating story and timeless puzzles will attract the attention of any reader.
"The winner is left alone"
Coelho, whose books are recognizable all over the world, in 2008 decided to move away from the usual novel genre. His new work is a detective thriller. And all the actions take place in the glamorous world of show business, or rather, at the Cannes Film Festival.
The plot focuses on businessman Igor, who literally went crazy with love for his ex-wife. To return her, he begins to brutally kill everyone in his path. This has terrifying consequences.
"Aleph"
The 2011 novel is a new chapter in the life of Paulo Coelho. Books (the list of books includes five novels) with autobiographical data are frequent in the work of a prose writer.
"Aleph" tells that the hero is in a creative crisis. To go the right way in the future, he decides to make a real journey in the present. His path lies through Africa and Europe. In Moscow, he meets a talented violinist and goes with her to the East along the Trans-Siberian Railway.
"Like a river"
Coelho, whose books invariably attract the reader, raises deep philosophical questions in each work. The 2006 book is a collection of parables. In it, the writer provides an opportunity to look at everyday life on the other hand, to realize that even small things are important. The most important thing in life is to listen to your heart.