The Witch of Portobello is a novel written by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho. The story follows the life of a young woman named Athena, who becomes known as the Witch of Portobello due to her unique and unconventional approach to life. The novel is presented through a series of interviews with people who knew Athena at different stages of her life. Through these interviews, the reader is able to piece together Athena's story and gain insights into her character. Athena is described as a mysterious and enigmatic woman, who possesses a deep spiritual understanding and connection with the world. She is raised by adoptive parents after being abandoned by her birth mother, and grows up longing to connect with her roots.
My decision is for anything that I have to do in this life. So if I see this presence of the feminine face of God around instead of trying to follow what the Catholic Church says, I should be more open.
I m a Catholic because I, myself, I need some discipline, I need the religion, I need this collective worship that our religion allows, but at the same time, I m open to spirituality in general, and at the end of the day, I m responsible for my acts. YDSTIE In The Witch of Portobello, the main character is named Athena and she becomes a spiritual leader in the reemergence, I guess, of the ancient goddess religion.
She is raised by adoptive parents after being abandoned by her birth mother, and grows up longing to connect with her roots. As Athena grows older, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening. She explores various belief systems and philosophies, including Sufism and Hinduism, seeking to find her own path and purpose in life.
On my shelf: The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho
To be honest, The Witch of Portobello is the first book of Paulo Coelho which I read. Before you react violently, NO I haven’t been living under a rock not to notice his works. I was simply distracted by all other books (a whole lot of other books hahaha). I know that he has written a lot of notable novels over the years and I was really excited that I now have the chance time to read one of his books.
I asked a couple of friends of mine on which Paulo Coelho book I should start with first and I got a lot of suggestions. But most of them recommended that The Witch of Portobello should be my first. So I followed that advice which brings us here to this post.
That is joy. Happiness would be feeling satisfied with everything she already had — a lover, a son, a job. And Athena, like me, wasn’t born for that kind of life. – Edda
I really want to like this book. I really really do. But I just can’t. It’s one of those books wherein a lot of people love, with the exception of me. I had nothing against the premise of the novel. I like that it talks about spirituality and discovering your true purpose, at least I think that’s the message I got after reading it. I found the “interview type” or “documentary” style of story telling a clever way of narrating different points of view. I think it was able to open up the story well. I just didn’t feel the connection with the main character Sherin / Athena and her plight.
Maybe I was just expecting too much from it, I wanted it to make me feel more inquisitive about my purpose and my beliefs since the story is mostly about the journey of self-discovery. Maybe I was expecting it to influence me in such a way that most books do after I’ve read them.
I won’t give up on Paulo Coelho’s works just yet. I’ll go out there and pick another book of his, though it would have to compete with so many other books that are clamoring for my attention (haha).
Read: July 29, 2015
The BookNut Verdict: 2 out of 5
YDSTIE: After such a tremendous success as you've had, what motivates you to continue writing?
Throughout her journey, Athena faces many challenges and obstacles, but she remains resilient and determined. She embraces her identity as a witch and uses her powers to help others find their own spiritual truths. The Witch of Portobello explores themes of spirituality, identity, and finding one's place in the world. It challenges traditional notions of religion and encourages readers to question their own beliefs and seek their own truth. Paulo Coelho's writing style is poetic and thought-provoking, and he incorporates elements of magical realism throughout the novel. The story is filled with rich metaphors and symbols, adding depth and meaning to the narrative. Overall, The Witch of Portobello is a captivating and introspective novel that invites readers to embark on their own spiritual journey. It encourages self-reflection and a questioning of societal norms, while also celebrating the power of individuality and personal growth..
Reviews for "The Witch of Portobello: A Study in Cultural Identity"
1. John Doe - 2 stars - "I found 'The Witch of Portob3llo' to be quite disappointing. The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with the protagonist, Athena, and found her journey to be confusing and scattered. The writing style was also a bit confusing, with the constant switching between different points of view. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and underwhelmed by this book."
2. Jane Smith - 1 star - "I had high hopes for 'The Witch of Portob3llo', but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The story seemed disjointed and failed to captivate my interest. The characters were uninteresting and lacked development, making it difficult for me to care about their fates. The writing style was also a letdown, with long-winded descriptions that added little to the overall plot. I struggled to finish this book and wouldn't recommend it to others."
3. Michael Johnson - 2 stars - "I'm a fan of Paulo Coelho's other works, but 'The Witch of Portob3llo' didn't live up to my expectations. The story felt repetitive and lacked originality. The protagonist, Athena, was portrayed as a one-dimensional character, with her spiritual journey often feeling forced. The book also lacked a compelling narrative flow, making it difficult to stay engaged. While I appreciate the author's exploration of spirituality and feminine energy, this book fell short of his previous works for me."