The Witch of Portobello

This book is amazing. Pablo Coelho is a wonderful author. He does an amazing job setting the stage with a fun and interesting plot, while also emulating the human experience.

Not sure why so many people on here wrote bad reviews... This is hands down my favorite Coehlo book, hell, this is my favorite book ever actually.I first read this book in 2014, bought it again 6 years later. Shortly after, purchased two more to gift to my Mother and my best friend.Tip: Read to understand not just to read and get it over with.If you get confused, go back and re read the part that confused you.Honestly, this book has hidden answers to life.

First and foremost, widely anticipated The Witch of Portobello doesn't disappoint in its overall presence. It retains Paulo's grand theme of spirituality as depicted by a leading character that goes through the journey to be able to live each own legend and fulfill each true destiny, which every now and then inspires seekers like myself. I find in Paulo's work books (this one included) that I will keep in my bookshelf to reread whenever I need a boost in my journey.What's new in The Witch of Portobello is that rather than using the normal sort of chronological narrative, Paulo succeeds to beautifully craft many first accounts of people who have crossed Sherine Khalil's (or Athena's or Hagia Sofia's) path. Through these accounts, Sherine Khalil came to life even with the absence of Sherine's own account.The story also has a little unexpected twist in the end too. No, I don't want to ruin it for you by telling you what the twist is. Just read the book yourself. Unlike a number of readers, I don't think that the author ends the book rather hastily by sprinting throughout the last couple of pages. And I don't question the validity of the featured ancient spiritual practices and beliefs either. To me, it doesn't matter if a fiction is supported by accurate factual information or not. It's a fiction anyway. The most important thing in Paulo's work is that the stories he presents never fail to inspire readers to wake up to the Reality.I find in the book similarities to The Fifth Mountain in terms of extreme reservation towards newly emerging spiritual beliefs by incumbent religious supporters. To me, The Witch of Portobello is like a modern version of The Fifth Mountain. Both also transmit hopeful message that implies the win of the emerging (which can be a revival of ancient practices) over the old in reforming the world. In terms of how the ending goes, the book also reminds me of the movie The Illutionist, which I love.

This is my second time reading a Coehlo novel. I loved it. I didn’t love the ending but I won’t give anything away. Paulo Coehlo always takes me on a journey as if I’m sitting right there amongst the characters.

I had read The Alchemists and loved it. This book I found more difficult to read as I was never really "hooked" on it. The main character was difficult for me to like. She was so spontaneous in living her life and I live such an ordered life that she made me uncomfortable. That said, I plan on reading it again in the future to see if it speaks to me then.

Daughter enjoyed it

This book was a break from my usual tedious reads and it brought me so much joy, raw emotion and mystery I was speaking. It’s beautiful written and I just cannot wait to read it 100 times over again.

At the time I read The Witch of Portobello I had only read one other Paulo Coelho book and that was Veronika Decides to Die. I must say that I LOVED The Witch of Portobello. It is very rare for me to find a character like Athena, Sherine, that I absolutely fall in love with. I was so intrigued by her story. I loved that way the story was told from everyone's perspective. The message within the book was a fabulous uplifting expression of pure love. I have never written a review for a book up to this point, but I felt led to for this book.It is a must read!I would give the book 10 stars if I could. I was also very impressed with the ending, it made me extremely happy how he added a bit of a twist with ending.

The book was as described and arrived quickly very happy

good book

First off I did not think that I would enjoy this book when I realised that it was flipping from one person's account to another. However, after a very short time I became hooked and fascinated. It is a fascinating journey of Athena's life which applies to each and every one of us. I can relate to much of this book through my own journey and it can teach us a much more deeper meaning to life. You need to be open to learn and listen within as you read and not just read it as a story. A great book, very inspiring and I highly recommend it, especially for those who are currently searching for something deeper 8n life.

I can only recommend it. I read the Alchemist before this one and I must say this book is even better!

I've read a few of his books and this is definitely the one that I have enjoyed the least.Not a waste of time though. Worth reading if you already have it, but choose another one if you still have some other Paulo Coelho books to read