Book review-The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho

Believe. Be Different. Journey on unknown paths. Courage. Acceptance.

In the days of social-media-wok-ism when everyone (including myself) seems to be in a rigorous search for self, peace, purpose and meaning in life, this re-read of “The Witch of Portobello” by Paulo Coelho gave a fresh insight on spirituality, love, life and hope. 

Coelho's books offer an incredible journey not only into the plot of his story but also into the self-discovery of his reader.

The Witch of Portobello is the story of a mysterious woman named Athena, aka Sherine, who, at the onset of the novel, has been brutally murdered. The rest of the book is filled with transcripts of interviews with different people in her life- her mother, her ex-husband, a lover journalist, an actress who despised her, her teacher, and others- who claim to know her well—or hardly at all presenting the complex and differing views of “who Athena is” through the eyes of all the characters.

As I read this book, I thought that “Äthena” could be any person who dares to listen and challenge themselves to follow their callings and seek answers beyond their mediocre lives.

I recommend reading this book to those who are ready to face thought-provoking questions and are prepared to welcome the new thought patterns about our assumptions and preconditions. We struggle between what we are and what society tells us must be. The book does not answer such “deep” questions but will help broaden the thought process.


Quotes from the book-

“You are what you believe yourself to be.”


“Faith is not Desire. Faith is Will. Desires need to be satisfied, whereas Will is a force. Will changes the space around us...”


“What does learning mean: accumulating knowledge or transforming your life?”


“And although you have mastered the words, you haven't yet mastered the blank spaces.”


“Changes only happen when we go against everything we're used to doing.”