"The Witch of Portobello" is a captivating novel written by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho. The story revolves around the life of a woman named Athena, who is known as the Witch of Portobello due to her mysterious and unconventional ways. Athena is a young woman with a deep spiritual longing and a strong desire for self-discovery. The story is narrated from the perspective of various characters who have had a significant impact on Athena's life, including her adoptive mother, a journalist, a professor, and her lover. Through these multiple perspectives, Coelho explores various themes such as spirituality, love, and the search for one's true identity. Athena's journey is marked by her unyielding desire to uncover the mysteries of life and the power of femininity.
Athena's journey is marked by her unyielding desire to uncover the mysteries of life and the power of femininity. The novel is structured as a series of interviews and testimonials, allowing the reader to piece together Athena's life story. Coelho masterfully weaves together different narratives, revealing the complexities of human nature and the interconnectedness of our lives.
Book 356: The Witch of Portobello – Paulo Coelho
In a further attempt to get a few more posts up while I’m on vacation I went to my TBR shelf and found I had two more Paulo Coelho novels yet to go so I grabbed them to read. They’re always easily written, well translated and fascinatingly beautiful and The Witch of Portobello (Amazon Affiliates link), was no exception. I’m actually not sure when I picked up this book as I can’t find a photo of it, so I’m going to assume it was sometime in 2011 right after I read The Alchemist.
Every time I read a book by Coelho, I find myself wondering about and searching for my spirituality. Whether he is talking about the Mother or organized religion (usually not), Coelho has a way of writing incredibly complex ideas and intricate narratives that is so simple and beautiful that it’s almost breath-taking. I do wonder if it is even more beautiful in his native Portuguese, how can it be so incredibly beautiful translated into English and not be beyond beautiful originally. So that being said, some credit must, obviously, be given to Margaret Jull Costa who has translated other works by Coelho including Veronika Decides to Die and Eleven Minutes (my next read) and many works by José Saramago including Seeing.
The Witch of Portobello is no different from Coelho’s other works that I’ve read in theme and ideas, but in style it was a completely different experience. Rather than a “straight-forward” story, this novel is a series of vignettes told by different people and collected by a mysterious editor/compiler (you do find out who it is at the end. What was most interesting is that the entire story leads to the main character’s, Athena/Sherine’s, death. You know she’s dead when the book starts, but you don’t know why, how or when.
What I took away from the novel was how beautiful the every day and the mundane are, like music and “white noise,”
“As I later learned, music is as old as human beings. Our ancestors, who traveled from cave to cave, couldn’t carry many things, but modern archaeology shows that, as well as the little they might have with them in the way of food, there was always a musical instrument in their baggage, usually a drum. Music isn’t just something that comforts or distracts us, it goes beyond that—it’s an ideology. You can judge people by the kind of music they listen to.” (35)
or passages like tis about calligraphy and posture,
“Elegance isn’t a superficial thing, it’s the way mankind has found to honor life and work. That’s why, when you feel uncomfortable in that position, you mustn’t think that it’s false or artificial: it’s real and true precisely because it’s difficult. That position means that both the paper and the brush feel proud of the effort you’re making. The paper ceases to be flat, colorless surface and takes on the depth of the things placed on it. It’s the same with life: when all superfluous things have been discarded, we discover simplicity and concentration. The simpler and more sober the posture, the more beautiful it will be, even though, at first, it may seem uncomfortable.” (79)
Coelho’s focus on the space between and the small details is so moving I’m honestly surprised a cult hasn’t sprung up around him like it did Athena/Sherine. There sort of is a cult vibe around The Alchemist, but I feel like so many people only read that work and never get to see how broad and wonderful his thoughts truly are.
The other thing that really stands out to me across Coelho’s works is anti-institutionalization. He is not a fan of organized religion, regardless of the religion. His beliefs, to me at least, revolve around the freedom of spirituality and discovering what it is that makes the world what it is and what makes you who you are. It’s been far too long since I read The Alchemist, almost four years, to compare the two explicitly, but I almost feel as if I would choose this one over it. There’s something to be said about a strong female protagonist and a mother goddess story, and how they center you within the chaos of modern society.
The one “odd” thing about this book is that it wasn’t listed on the Tree of Life (my term) that I found in the back of The Devil and Miss Prym I read last year. I guess it has more to do with the fact this is a larger over-arching story about the Great Mother, rather than any one specific emotion/feeling, but I don’t know.
Recommendation: Obviously, this is a must read. Even if you are a strong believer in organized religion, Coelho doesn’t go over the top to criticize, so don’t be afraid to listen to another view-point. I might just hold on to my copy of this one to re-read and savor the beautiful passages and the challenging ideas.
Opening Line: “Before these statements left my desk and followed the fate I eventually chose for them, I considered using them as the basis for a traditional, painstakingly researched biography, recounting a true story.”
Closing Line: “Love simple is.” (Whited out, highlight to read.)
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Publisher: HarperCollins
"The Witch of Portobello" also delves into the societal pressures and judgments that Athena faces as a woman who defies conventions and follows her own path. Her journey is met with resistance and skepticism, but she remains steadfast in her quest for self-discovery. Coelho's writing style is both lyrical and thought-provoking. He explores profound philosophical and spiritual concepts with simplicity and clarity, making his prose accessible to readers from all walks of life. The novel not only entertains but also inspires readers to reflect on their own lives and search for meaning and purpose. Overall, "The Witch of Portobello" is a compelling and deeply philosophical novel that explores the power of self-discovery, spirituality, and the importance of embracing one's true identity. Coelho's poetic prose and intricate storytelling create a captivating read that lingers with readers long after they have finished the book..
Reviews for "The Witch of Portogello: Reconnecting with Ancestral Wisdom and Traditions"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "The Witch of Portobello" after hearing so many great reviews, but I was extremely disappointed. The story felt disjointed and difficult to follow. The narrative structure, with multiple perspectives, made it hard for me to connect with the characters and understand their motivations. Additionally, the themes of spirituality and mysticism were presented in a way that felt confusing and shallow. Overall, I found the book to be lacking in depth and failed to deliver on its promises.
2. Michael - 1 star - I couldn't stand "The Witch of Portobello". It felt like a pretentious and overly intellectualized attempt at exploring spirituality. The characters were uninteresting and their actions often lacked any emotional resonance. The writing style was convoluted and self-indulgent, making it a chore to decipher the author's intentions. I struggled to find any redeeming qualities in this book and ultimately felt like my time was wasted.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Witch of Portobello" as I had enjoyed other works by Paulo Coelho, but this one fell flat for me. The story lacked a clear direction and the characters were poorly developed. There were moments of insight and wisdom scattered throughout, but they were overshadowed by the confusing narrative structure and lack of emotional depth. I found it hard to connect with the protagonist and her journey, ultimately leaving me unsatisfied with the overall reading experience.
4. James - 2 stars - I found "The Witch of Portobello" to be a tedious and overly philosophical read. While I appreciate exploring spiritual themes in literature, this book seemed to lack a cohesive plot and left me feeling confused and unfulfilled. The characters were one-dimensional and their actions felt detached from any real emotions. The writing style was also a challenge to follow, with excessive use of flowery language that distracted from the story. I'm sad to say that this book did not live up to my expectations.