Eleven Minutes | Paulo Coelho | Book Review
"I am two women... I'm a house-wife and a prostitute, both of us living in the same body and doing battle with each other. " - from Maria's diary, Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho.
Book Description
Eleven Minutes is the story of Maria, a young girl from a Brazilian small town, whose first innocent brushes with love leave her heartbroken. At a tender age, she becomes convinced that she will never find true love.
Being desperate to explore the world, make money and become famous, she sets off on a path of unknown. A chance meeting in Rio takes her to Geneva, where she ends up as a prostitute. There Maria’s despairing view of love is put to the test and she has to choose between pursuing a path of darkness or risking everything to find her own “inner light” and the possibility of real love.
Book Review
The description makes it quite evident that Eleven Minutes is indeed a very daring novel and particularly explicit. It provides detailed insights on the lifestyle of a prostitute, their occupational hazards, their personal needs, and why they ended up in the profession at all. The novel is more like a treatise to a young woman who is being constantly tested by fate. But the book transcends beyond the 'shameful' lifestyle of a prostitute. In a true Coelho manner, I found the novel more emotional and philosophical than I had expected.
It's not just about buying physical pleasure, it's a book that seeks true love - finding what one truly desires even through worst circumstances. I can't help but draw a subtle parallel to Alchemist, because in both cases it is essentially about finding the destiny (in this case true love).
Pros
The book is essentially a love story in the truest sense. But very unlike any contemporary, or classic, romance. It is exceptionally philosophical and makes you think, really, think from Maria's point of view.
Cons
The book is explicit, as I've mentioned. So it is not an ideal read for young people, even many adults can find it a bit uncomfortable.
Who Should Read It?
If you enjoy Paulo Coelho or any other literature with a spiritual and philosophical bend, then I'd say the book is pretty ideal for you. But if you are not exactly reading about explicit adult content, then it is highly recommended that you skip it.
I read this book back in January or February of this year. I found so many mixed reviews on this book that I thought may be I'll share my opinion. And if you are looking forward to read some daring yet spiritual story of girl in search of her destiny, then grab a copy of this book!
Until next time.
XOXO
Comments
Post a Comment