“No one loses anyone, because no one owns anyone. That is the true experience of freedom: having the most important thing in the world without owning it”
― Paulo Coelho, Eleven Minutes
I am a huge fan of Coelho’s books. Coelho writes very well and he has great amount of life philosophies to share with his readers. He also shares his advices using very simple and universal language that everyone understands. Eleven Minutes has great be opening line. Once upon a time, there was a prostitute called Maria… is interesting and catchy way to start a book. Maria, Brazilian prostitute is the main character of the book. I liked her, she was constantly trying to learn something new and develop herself as person. Yes, she’s a prostitute but she’s not just a prostitute. Moreover, it’s something new & different& rare, I don’t think I have read many other books with prostitute as main character (only thing that comes to my mind are books by Belle de Jour).
I like the way Coelho mixes some fairytale into this. In theme that is far from fairytales, we have the fairytale beginning & fairytale way of telling a story. For example, Once upon a time, there was a bird. He was adorned with …. What can I say…It’s definitely interesting mix. Moreover, I also like the concept of love in Eleven Minutes (+huge amount of very quotable lines about love.) Love is beautiful and love is horrible. Love can end very soon or it can last forever. Love is free.
“When we meet someone and fall in love, we have a sense that the whole universe is on our side. And yet if something goes wrong, there is nothing left! How is it possible for the beauty that was there only minutes before to vanish so quickly? Life moves very fast. It rushes from heaven to hell in a matter of seconds.”
― Paulo Coelho, Eleven Minutes
What you might not like about the book is the level of cheesiness. Seriously, Paris? However, knowing Coelho’s style, he has a certain way to finish his books.What might also cross your mind is that Paulo Coelho enters the womans mindset. Does he know how woman thinks? Most part of his books concentrate on women.
I’d give this book 8/10
“In love, no one can harm anyone else; we are each responsible for our own feelings and cannot blame someone else for what we feel.”
― Paulo Coelho, Eleven Minutes
How- To Read Eleven Minutes
1. Paulo Coelho supports the ebook piracy so it’s very easy to find electronic copies of the book online. (You did not hear this from me…)
2. If you don’t consider yourself a reader, I would maybe not recommend this one for you. Nor if you didn’t enjoy reading other books by the author. Fans of Coelho…this is a must read for you!
3. It’s short book (approx.300 p.), however prepare yourself for deep philosophy of different matters.
4. Novel deals among other with prostitution, sex, sado-masochism.
5. Clichéiness..Cheesiness…but we need that right?…Right?
6. You won’t completely get Maria’s character.
7. Some same elements but not really similar to 50 Shades of Grey in case you were wondering.
“…and that, in the end, the most interesting people always leave.”
― Paulo Coelho, Eleven Minutes
Have you read Coelho’s books? Which one is your favorite/least favorite?
Sounds like interesting book :) Read the Alchemist some years ago and loved it!
It is :D As you loved the Alchemist, I would warmly recommend other books by Coelho. Have you read other than Alchemist?
Not yet but my friend presented me Brida and Winner Stands Alone so I’ll read them during the holidays
I’ve only ever read The Alchemist by Coelho, but the beginning of this book had me curious to read more of his work. Great review!
:) The opening line was I think why I read this book. Thanks :)
I find Coelho interesting but frustrating….I can’t tell if he’s a philosopher or pretending to be….
Maybe he’s in between. I was quite happy with his philosophies until I read Manuscript Found in Accra. It seemed to be full of wannabe life advices.
Interesting mixture and well promoted. But as to your point number 1 – shame on him!
:) I think it’s because he is the bestseller author so he doesn’t really care about piracy of his books. Do you always buy the books you read then?
No. However, when I don’t buy, it’s either a gift or a loan. Most writers (myself included) don’t make much money from their writing and the last thing we need is a best-selling writer telling people it’s OK to steal others’ work.
I see, I’ve always appreciated people who write for their passion to it. It’s not right to steal anyone’s work, though I’m addicted to find free stuff.
Having just read The Alchemist I’m intrigued as to what this novel would be like ! I think once i finish The Cuckoos Calling i might just give it a try haha .. A little cheesiness never hurt right?
:D I think maybe you should go with some other Coelho book before this one to figure his style out a bit more :) Nope XD cheesiness in literature annoys a bit but never hurt
I don’t know why,but every time I see Coelho’s name,I instantly think of Robin Sharma.
And I’m not a particular fan of Sharma; he just is someone who makes loads of money by preaching things you know deep down! -_-
Have you read The Alchemist?
I think Coelho has very beautiful mind :) He’s unique in the way he writes. There was only one book of his I didn’t enjoy: Manuscript Found in Accra. Book was as if he just needed to publish something in the middle and it seemed to be full of dumb preaching. But it’s like with Stephen King, sometimes books are really good and sometimes I wonder if they just want to cash out. Yes, I have :) I think Alchemist is deepest of his books. Have you read it?
Thanks for the lead. I am hooked by just reading the first paragraph. I will check this book out when I have time
You’re welcome :D other Coelho’s books are great too. Alchemist and I think my favorite is still Veronica Decides to Die
What a provocative way to begin a book! Definitely a hook and sinker for me. I want to read it to find out exactly what possessed the author to begin a book like THAT. Wow… what a juxtaposition!
:D tell me about it. The reason why I took this book home from library the first time I read this. I think it’s very fitting to Coelho’s style to start book shockingly. Although sometimes he starts books better than carries the plot itself.
I hear ya! *nod nod* Sometimes the first few pages start good and end badly. Hopefully that wasn’t the case here. Thanks to you, I’m going to look for a copy to bring home and read myself. Probably for the holidays. I would love to “shock” some people too! ;D
I think it errr started better than it was but definitely good book still :) I know that feeling XD it’s kind of like you’re not embarrassed by what you read but it might still seem weird to others. People only think highly of classics. Let me know what you thought of it
Believe it or not, I find this book really really good! Coelho is amazingggg!!! :D
Haha, I really enjoyed this book too, then I liked hmm ‘Veronika Decides To Die’ (maybe I didn’t get the title quite right) Some of his books are a bit too philosophical for me though
I admit I had a hard time understanding the Alchemist for a while. Lol. Veronika Decides to Die is also good!! Omg
I do love Alchemist haha but hmm his book Manuscript Found in Accra…that was so annoying one o.O
Coelho’s books are always knee-deep in thought, and as you said, philosophical. But once we tend to get the message he wanted to convey through his stories, we could really learn a thing or two from him. :) Well, at least, that’s what I think. Haha. :D
That’s true :) that’s why he’s bestseller author I guess XD and allows his books to be downloaded free online
LOL yeah! That is so true!! Hahaha
Hahaha your title for this review caught my eye XD This sounds like a very good book. I have read Veronika Decides To Die and it’s one of my favorites. I’ll give this a try :)
Haha :) it was a great opening line in this book. Great!