"The Witch of Portobello" is a novel written by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho. Published in 2006, the book explores themes of spirituality, love, and self-discovery through the story of a young woman named Athena, who is regarded as a witch by those around her. The novel is presented in a unique format, as it is written as a compilation of testimonies from various people who have known Athena throughout her life. Through these testimonies, the reader gains insight into Athena's unconventional journey and her search for truth and meaning. Athena is described as an enigmatic and charismatic woman who defies societal norms and embraces her own unique spiritual path. From a young age, she displays a strong connection to spirituality and a desire for personal growth.
From a young age, she displays a strong connection to spirituality and a desire for personal growth. As she grows older, Athena becomes involved with various spiritual practices, including Sufism, Hinduism, Catholicism, and pagan rituals. Throughout Athena's journey, she encounters both love and loss.
The Witch of Portobello
It is not too often when I come across a book that can touch people in so many different ways. In reading The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho we find a character named Athena whose very life force touched everyone in many different ways. It does not matter what faith you are aligned with, this book will connect with you and draw you in. My very long time Christian friend suggested this book to me, and I was not expecting the powerful message that this book revealed, and how it can be shared by so many different faiths, touching them in a way that they can understand.
In The Witch of Portobello, Athena is a woman touched by the divine spark, searching for ways to connect to God, The Mother, and The Divine. It almost seems as if no one faith could contain her, she had to expand her spiritual mind, or wither and die and yet that did not save her in the end. The author took a different approach to narration. The narrator wants to share the story of Athena to the world, and therefore decided to write the biography of Athena. He transcribed interviews with people who shared their feelings, thoughts and memories of Athena. By doing this, we as the readers get to see how Athena was perceived by others, how they reacted to her, and their true feelings about her. Some saw what they wanted to see in Athena: a teacher, a mother, a wife, a witch, a priestess, or a manipulator. Athena may have been all those things and more; but in the end, no one really understood Athena and what she was trying to do. I have a feeling Athena was not always sure herself, she was just following the path less traveled as she quoted in the book, and doing what she was pulled to do.The one thing that I came to realize by reading this book is: the world will see us the way it wants to see us no matter how hard we try to change its mind. All we can do is live the life we want, try to find the divine in our own way, and not worry about what others think of us, because most of the time they get it wrong (but you cannot tell them that—they do not listen).
In reading this book, Athena helped me to be a better teacher to students I currently teach and those I will teach in the future by reminding me of the concept: “learning through teaching”. One cannot claim to know all for we learn through the help of others, even when we are the teachers. She inspired me to drop my inhibition, and dance to connect with the Mother without worrying of what others might think. Now I know that Athena is a fictional character from the mind of a Brazilian author, but you can feel her power, her spirit emanating from the papers in this book. Read it, and see how this story touches your life.
Review by: Lady Arawyn Lyonesse
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Mr. Coelho's latest book, "The Witch of Portobello," is the story of a young Romanian orphan adopted by a Lebanese couple. She opens her heart, gains intoxicating powers and becomes a controversial spiritual leader in London.
Her relationships with men, especially her first love and the father of her child, contribute to her self-discovery and transformation. As Athena searches for her own identity, she faces criticism and judgment from those around her, who view her as eccentric and unconventional. The novel raises questions about societal expectations, the nature of spirituality, and the importance of following one's own path. Coelho's writing style is reflective and philosophical, encouraging readers to think deeply about their own beliefs and values. "The Witch of Portobello" offers a thought-provoking exploration of spirituality and self-discovery. Through the captivating story of Athena, Coelho invites readers to question their own beliefs and embark on their own journey of self-exploration. The book serves as a reminder to embrace individuality and to live a life aligned with one's true purpose..
Reviews for "The Witch of Portobello: Embracing the Unknown"
1. John - 2/5 - I really wanted to like "The Witch of Portobello," but unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype. The story felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction. The characters were also poorly developed, making it difficult to connect with them or care about their journeys. Moreover, the writing style was overly descriptive and often dragged on, making it a struggle to stay engaged with the plot. Overall, I found "The Witch of Portobello" to be a disappointing read that didn't live up to its potential.
2. Rebecca - 2/5 - I found "The Witch of Portobello" to be a tedious and confusing book. The narrative was overly complex and fragmented, making it hard to follow the story. The main character, Athena, came across as self-absorbed and unrelatable, which made it challenging to feel invested in her journey. The constant shifting of perspectives and timeframes further added to the confusion and made it difficult to connect with the other characters. Additionally, the spiritual and philosophical themes explored in the book felt superficial and poorly developed. Overall, "The Witch of Portobello" was a disappointing and confusing read for me.
3. Sarah - 1/5 - I couldn't finish "The Witch of Portobello." From the start, the writing style felt pretentious and convoluted. The story was filled with unnecessary tangents and philosophical ramblings that distracted from any semblance of a plot. I didn't find the characters engaging or believable, and the continuous jumps in perspectives and timeframes only added to the confusion. Furthermore, the lack of a clear resolution or purpose left me feeling unsatisfied and frustrated. Ultimately, "The Witch of Portobello" was a book that didn't resonate with me and left me feeling disappointed.
4. Michael - 2/5 - "The Witch of Portobello" had an interesting premise, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The narrative was disorganized and disjointed, making it difficult to follow the story or connect with the characters. The incessant use of flowery language and excessive descriptions felt forced and slowed down the pacing of the book. I also found the spiritual and philosophical elements to be shallow and lacking depth. Overall, "The Witch of Portobello" was a disappointing read that didn't deliver on its potential.