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On the Seventh Day #1
A Orillas de Rio Piedra Me Sente y Llore
Viaje a través delos pirineos junto a dos amantes en una busqueda espiritual sin tiempo, y descubra los prufundos secretos del amor y la vida en esta nueva novela comovedora, estilulante y mágica escrita a la manera de su aclamado libro El Alquimista,por el incomparable narrador Paulo Coelho.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
3129 people are currently reading
43316 people want to read
About the author
Paulo Coelho
435 books138k followersThe Brazilian author PAULO COELHO was born in 1947 in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Before dedicating his life completely to literature, he worked as theatre director and actor, lyricist and journalist. In 1986, PAULO COELHO did the pilgrimage to Saint James of Compostella, an experience later to be documented in his book The Pilgrimage. In the following year, COELHO published The Alchemist. Slow initial sales convinced his first publisher to drop the novel, but it went on to become one of the best selling Brazilian books of all time. Other titles include Brida (1990), The Valkyries (1992), By the river Piedra I sat Down and Wept (1994), the collection of his best columns published in the Brazilian newspaper Folha de São Paulo entitle Maktub (1994), the compilation of texts Phrases (1995), The Fifth Mountain (1996), Manual of a Warrior of Light (1997), Veronika decides to die (1998), The Devil and Miss Prym (2000), the compilation of traditional tales in Stories for parents, children and grandchildren (2001), Eleven Minutes (2003), The Zahir (2005), The Witch of Portobello (2006) and Winner Stands Alone (to be released in 2009). During the months of March, April, May and June 2006, Paulo Coelho traveled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his pilgrimage to Saint James of Compostella in 1986. He also held surprise book signings - announced one day in advance - in some cities along the way, to have a chance to meet his readers. In ninety days of pilgrimage the author traveled around the globe and took the famous Transiberrian train that took him to Vladivostok. During this experience Paulo Coelho launched his blog Walking the Path - The Pilgrimage in order to share with his readers his impressions. Since this first blog Paulo Coelho has expanded his presence in the internet with his daily blogs in Wordpress, Myspace & Facebook. He is equally present in media sharing sites such as Youtube and Flickr, offering on a regular basis not only texts but also videos and pictures to his readers. From this intensive interest and use of the Internet sprang his bold new project: The Experimental Witch where he invites his readers to adapt to the screen his book The Witch of Portobello. Indeed Paulo Coelho is a firm believer of Internet as a new media and is the first Best-selling author to actively support online free distribution of his work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,198 reviews
June 26, 2010
Thank you, Mr Coelho.
At a time when my parents and my son are dying, and can't accept love, help and support, this one paragraph in your Author's Note gave me joy and hope:
"But ultimately there is no good reason for our suffering, for in every love lies the seed of our growth. The more we love, the closer we come to a spiritual experience. Those who are truly enlightened, those whose souls are illuminated by love, have been able to overcome all the inhibitions... They have been joyful — because those who love conquer the world and have no fear of loss. True love is an act of total surrender.
"...One doesn't love in order to do what is good, or to help, or to protect someone. If we act that way, we are perceiving the other as an object, and we are seeing ourselves as wise and generous... To love is to be in communion with the other and to discover in that other the spark of God."
You have chartered for me a path of sanity, serenity, and true generosity. I can only hope to be able to walk it!
At a time when my parents and my son are dying, and can't accept love, help and support, this one paragraph in your Author's Note gave me joy and hope:
"But ultimately there is no good reason for our suffering, for in every love lies the seed of our growth. The more we love, the closer we come to a spiritual experience. Those who are truly enlightened, those whose souls are illuminated by love, have been able to overcome all the inhibitions... They have been joyful — because those who love conquer the world and have no fear of loss. True love is an act of total surrender.
"...One doesn't love in order to do what is good, or to help, or to protect someone. If we act that way, we are perceiving the other as an object, and we are seeing ourselves as wise and generous... To love is to be in communion with the other and to discover in that other the spark of God."
You have chartered for me a path of sanity, serenity, and true generosity. I can only hope to be able to walk it!
July 26, 2007
I have just experienced a wonderful and enlightening love story that has moved me deeply. Indeed, Paulo Coelho's "By The River Piedra I Sat Down And Wept" is a must read for people who have lost, found, or still seeking for love.
I have made some references to this novel in some of my past blogs. But now, I am writing more about it on my personal realizations after experiencing this enigmatic literary work.
I have jotted down some lines from the book that struck me the most, and taken note of my insights.
(1) But love is much like a dam:if you allow a tiny crack to form through which only a trickle of water can pass, that trickle will quickly bring down the whole stucture and soon no one will be able to control the force of the water.
Me: Falling in love is a beautiful experience. Deciding to fall in love is the hard part. But this analogy of love and a dam, explains it quite well. Once you start having the slightest thought that maybe love is possible or start seeing a person in a different light, all other feelings and ideas will start to rush in. Then you feel afraid of what you have just realized and try to thrust it away. No escape. Your heart and mind fight it out. Still, it doesn't matter which ends up victorious, because from then on, you will never see things the same way again.
(2) In real life, love has to be possible. Even if it is not returned right away, love can only survive when the hope exists that you will be able to win over the person you desire.
Me: Love is forbearing. But sometimes the heart is impatient. This statement is still unclear to me. Maybe because, I have often easily given up in this quest for "winning over the person I desire". I guess this statement is experiential, only then will there be full understanding of it.
(3) Waiting is painful. Forgetting is painful. But not knowing which to do is the worst kind of suffering.
Me: How would we know if it is time to move on or that it is still worth another try? I have seen a lot with this dilemma, both from movies and through acquaintances. And indeed, seeing them in that state where they have no idea which way to take is truly heart breaking. I have been in both situations. I have waited. I have forgotten. But by some cosmic conspiracy, somehow I still find myself wondering, what if I took the other path? Forgetting is like a point of no return. If you choose to forget and leave, then you must stand by your decision, no matter how difficult it promises to be. Only by then will you be able to move on. In waiting, the clincher would be how long should you wait, and do you really have something to wait for. Either way, you will find yourself hurting at one point in time.
(4) What I remember is that love returned in the form of another man, new hopes and new dreams.
Me: The bible says that love is constant and that love is forever. Poets reiterate this in their masterpieces. Hopeless romantics sing about it. Then if this be the case, I have no reason to believe that love ever fails. It just transforms. This should be able to keep the flame of hope of finding the love of our lives burning through and through.
There you go. I am done with another book. A couple of weeks later, I would no longer fully remember what it was about or who the characters were. But somehow I would still recall the feelings I got as I was reading through it and my pot of insights has yet again been stirred and repleted.
P.S. The female character is Pilar. She was the one telling the story. But the male character remained nameless. Hmm... Or did I just forget his name already? ;)
(Wrote this review in 2004 right after reading the book. Review published on my (ex)blog @ http://theobnoxiouslevin.blog-city.com)
I have made some references to this novel in some of my past blogs. But now, I am writing more about it on my personal realizations after experiencing this enigmatic literary work.
I have jotted down some lines from the book that struck me the most, and taken note of my insights.
(1) But love is much like a dam:if you allow a tiny crack to form through which only a trickle of water can pass, that trickle will quickly bring down the whole stucture and soon no one will be able to control the force of the water.
Me: Falling in love is a beautiful experience. Deciding to fall in love is the hard part. But this analogy of love and a dam, explains it quite well. Once you start having the slightest thought that maybe love is possible or start seeing a person in a different light, all other feelings and ideas will start to rush in. Then you feel afraid of what you have just realized and try to thrust it away. No escape. Your heart and mind fight it out. Still, it doesn't matter which ends up victorious, because from then on, you will never see things the same way again.
(2) In real life, love has to be possible. Even if it is not returned right away, love can only survive when the hope exists that you will be able to win over the person you desire.
Me: Love is forbearing. But sometimes the heart is impatient. This statement is still unclear to me. Maybe because, I have often easily given up in this quest for "winning over the person I desire". I guess this statement is experiential, only then will there be full understanding of it.
(3) Waiting is painful. Forgetting is painful. But not knowing which to do is the worst kind of suffering.
Me: How would we know if it is time to move on or that it is still worth another try? I have seen a lot with this dilemma, both from movies and through acquaintances. And indeed, seeing them in that state where they have no idea which way to take is truly heart breaking. I have been in both situations. I have waited. I have forgotten. But by some cosmic conspiracy, somehow I still find myself wondering, what if I took the other path? Forgetting is like a point of no return. If you choose to forget and leave, then you must stand by your decision, no matter how difficult it promises to be. Only by then will you be able to move on. In waiting, the clincher would be how long should you wait, and do you really have something to wait for. Either way, you will find yourself hurting at one point in time.
(4) What I remember is that love returned in the form of another man, new hopes and new dreams.
Me: The bible says that love is constant and that love is forever. Poets reiterate this in their masterpieces. Hopeless romantics sing about it. Then if this be the case, I have no reason to believe that love ever fails. It just transforms. This should be able to keep the flame of hope of finding the love of our lives burning through and through.
There you go. I am done with another book. A couple of weeks later, I would no longer fully remember what it was about or who the characters were. But somehow I would still recall the feelings I got as I was reading through it and my pot of insights has yet again been stirred and repleted.
P.S. The female character is Pilar. She was the one telling the story. But the male character remained nameless. Hmm... Or did I just forget his name already? ;)
(Wrote this review in 2004 right after reading the book. Review published on my (ex)blog @ http://theobnoxiouslevin.blog-city.com)
February 26, 2011
this book was a joke.
horrible, pretentious, verbose, and yet basically content-free language - which in itself might be seen as quite an achievement if you're trying to do really bad writing.
and the content....?! uummmmm, empty, trite banalities and cliches. - i really dont understand how anyone who has even spent a *minute* reflecting on any philosophical question would get any sort of insight out of such a book!
as i remember it, the outline of the plot even sounded pretty promising.... sth about a woman and a man reuniting and falling in love again, i mean, you could work with that, right? but since the entire plot was nothing but a stage for his, as i mentioned, really very insightless "insights"..... it was not much help, either. especially, when he started the crazy religious talk, that i seem to remember, some crazy "miracle" stuff..... yeah, that was when i seriously lost patience with that book.
i honestly have to say, in terms of style, language, *and* content, this was probably the worst book i have ever finished reading.
horrible, pretentious, verbose, and yet basically content-free language - which in itself might be seen as quite an achievement if you're trying to do really bad writing.
and the content....?! uummmmm, empty, trite banalities and cliches. - i really dont understand how anyone who has even spent a *minute* reflecting on any philosophical question would get any sort of insight out of such a book!
as i remember it, the outline of the plot even sounded pretty promising.... sth about a woman and a man reuniting and falling in love again, i mean, you could work with that, right? but since the entire plot was nothing but a stage for his, as i mentioned, really very insightless "insights"..... it was not much help, either. especially, when he started the crazy religious talk, that i seem to remember, some crazy "miracle" stuff..... yeah, that was when i seriously lost patience with that book.
i honestly have to say, in terms of style, language, *and* content, this was probably the worst book i have ever finished reading.
May 12, 2012
هذا الكتاب .. ولأني أعرف الكم الهائل فيه من العاطفة والحب أجلت قراءته حتى أصل اللحظة الحالية !
أحياناً .. أحس أني الكثير من التأجيل يجتاحنا .. الكثير من الشوق لأن نؤخر العلم الذي نريده يسكننا .. الكثير والكثير من اللهفة لأن نتواصل مع أنفسنا تزهر في قلوبنا ..
هذا الكتاب بالذات .. قرأته ولظرف ما قطعت قراءتي في منتصفه .. مضت أيام لمجرد ذكر كتاب على نهر بيدرا .. يتأجج الحب من جديد في قلبي .. لمجرد ذكر كلام باولو في الحب يجتاحني شعور غريب في ذكريات الهمسات والوسوسات والكلام المعسول .. لمجرد ذكرى باولو وتذكرات للعشق الممنوع والمرغوب .. أهيم في وجهي وأسرح في نفسي طويلاً ..
على نهر بيدرا .. هناك جلست فبكيت أجزم أنها أكثر رواية عاطفية لباولو .. وربما يتفوق عليها رواية ألف الجديدة والتي يقال بأنها من أبدع ما كتب باولو بعد أسطورة الأساطير 11 دقيقة !
لا داعي لأن أنصحكم بقراءة الرواية خصوصاً أنني للتو وضعت المؤشر " البوكمارك " فيها .. ولسبب وحيد وخذوه مني على طول الطريق !
شهادتي في باولو مجروحة .. على الدوام !
تقديري
-----------
إضافة
أجمل ما في باولو .. النهايات الجميلة !
النهايات .. التي تجعلك تشع أملاً وحبوراً .. كل الرواية توحي لك أن النهاية بائسة وحين تصل .. تبتسم وتكون النهاية التي أردت وتمنيت وأنست بها !
باولو كاتب يجعلك تحزن أنك انتهيت منه !
تتمنى لو أنك لم تنتهي .. طيلة الأيام الماضية أشاهد الرواية وأتحاشا أن أنهيها وأحاول أن أقتضمها لقمة لقمة كأني أتلذذ بها عنوة .. باولو كاتب يجعلك تلتفت للحب من جهة أخرى .. باولو كاتب يحيي في قلبك أشياء غريبة ويجعلك تلتفت لأشياء لم تطرأ لك على بال !
كاتب من زمن آخر .. ويجعلك تسير وتتحرك في زمن آخر !
باولو وأمين معلوف .. كاتبان وإن اختلف نسقهما لكنهما لهما نفس النفس في الكتابة .. فأمين يحب التفصيل وباولو يحب التعليل .. أمين يحب الوصف وباولو يحب الشعور .. باولو يعشق القلب وأمين يجعلك تقتنع أكثر !
على نهر بيدرا .. هناك جلست فبكيت .. هكذا عنوان الرسالة لكن باولو الذي يجعل الدنيا التي تتابعه تبتسم .. لم يرض أن يجعلك تبكي في نهاية روايته .. فكانت على نهر بيدرا هناك جلست فضحكت !
نعم .. ضحكت .. لأن العالم كله سيضحك لحب اثنين صافي طفولي حيا بعد موات وعاش بعد سنين عجاف !
عدتُ لأقرأها .. لحاجتي لشيء يحيي في قلب الحب بعد أن مكثت وقتاً طويلاً أكتب في الحب على جدار يقرأه العالم .. ولا أقرؤه !
حبي
أحياناً .. أحس أني الكثير من التأجيل يجتاحنا .. الكثير من الشوق لأن نؤخر العلم الذي نريده يسكننا .. الكثير والكثير من اللهفة لأن نتواصل مع أنفسنا تزهر في قلوبنا ..
هذا الكتاب بالذات .. قرأته ولظرف ما قطعت قراءتي في منتصفه .. مضت أيام لمجرد ذكر كتاب على نهر بيدرا .. يتأجج الحب من جديد في قلبي .. لمجرد ذكر كلام باولو في الحب يجتاحني شعور غريب في ذكريات الهمسات والوسوسات والكلام المعسول .. لمجرد ذكرى باولو وتذكرات للعشق الممنوع والمرغوب .. أهيم في وجهي وأسرح في نفسي طويلاً ..
على نهر بيدرا .. هناك جلست فبكيت أجزم أنها أكثر رواية عاطفية لباولو .. وربما يتفوق عليها رواية ألف الجديدة والتي يقال بأنها من أبدع ما كتب باولو بعد أسطورة الأساطير 11 دقيقة !
لا داعي لأن أنصحكم بقراءة الرواية خصوصاً أنني للتو وضعت المؤشر " البوكمارك " فيها .. ولسبب وحيد وخذوه مني على طول الطريق !
شهادتي في باولو مجروحة .. على الدوام !
تقديري
-----------
إضافة
أجمل ما في باولو .. النهايات الجميلة !
النهايات .. التي تجعلك تشع أملاً وحبوراً .. كل الرواية توحي لك أن النهاية بائسة وحين تصل .. تبتسم وتكون النهاية التي أردت وتمنيت وأنست بها !
باولو كاتب يجعلك تحزن أنك انتهيت منه !
تتمنى لو أنك لم تنتهي .. طيلة الأيام الماضية أشاهد الرواية وأتحاشا أن أنهيها وأحاول أن أقتضمها لقمة لقمة كأني أتلذذ بها عنوة .. باولو كاتب يجعلك تلتفت للحب من جهة أخرى .. باولو كاتب يحيي في قلبك أشياء غريبة ويجعلك تلتفت لأشياء لم تطرأ لك على بال !
كاتب من زمن آخر .. ويجعلك تسير وتتحرك في زمن آخر !
باولو وأمين معلوف .. كاتبان وإن اختلف نسقهما لكنهما لهما نفس النفس في الكتابة .. فأمين يحب التفصيل وباولو يحب التعليل .. أمين يحب الوصف وباولو يحب الشعور .. باولو يعشق القلب وأمين يجعلك تقتنع أكثر !
على نهر بيدرا .. هناك جلست فبكيت .. هكذا عنوان الرسالة لكن باولو الذي يجعل الدنيا التي تتابعه تبتسم .. لم يرض أن يجعلك تبكي في نهاية روايته .. فكانت على نهر بيدرا هناك جلست فضحكت !
نعم .. ضحكت .. لأن العالم كله سيضحك لحب اثنين صافي طفولي حيا بعد موات وعاش بعد سنين عجاف !
عدتُ لأقرأها .. لحاجتي لشيء يحيي في قلب الحب بعد أن مكثت وقتاً طويلاً أكتب في الحب على جدار يقرأه العالم .. ولا أقرؤه !
حبي
October 4, 2017
“To love is to lose control.”
Hm, this is a strange and hard one to review.
On the one hand, there is no plot, barely anything happens at all.
Yet on the other the writing is so lyrical, so peaceful, and tackles such interesting and important topics that it kept me reading.
Pilar is invited to a seminar by an old friend. Their reunion strikes a chord and changes them both. They travel together across parts of Spain and France, discussing life, love, faith and spirituality.
A lot of the focus is on Christian ideas, but there are also plenty of other forms of spirituality included.
At times it really made me stop and think, and the writing took me away from myself and into another world, a simpler world where faith is easier and the people are kinder.
Overall I did enjoy it, I liked some of the different ideas included - a major one being God portrayed as a woman, or ‘the mother'; a lot of interesting stuff. Reckon I’ll keep this one to reread someday as I’m sure there was plenty that I missed or went over my head.
“Love can consign us to hell or to paradise, but it always takes us somewhere.”
3.5 stars
Hm, this is a strange and hard one to review.
On the one hand, there is no plot, barely anything happens at all.
Yet on the other the writing is so lyrical, so peaceful, and tackles such interesting and important topics that it kept me reading.
Pilar is invited to a seminar by an old friend. Their reunion strikes a chord and changes them both. They travel together across parts of Spain and France, discussing life, love, faith and spirituality.
A lot of the focus is on Christian ideas, but there are also plenty of other forms of spirituality included.
At times it really made me stop and think, and the writing took me away from myself and into another world, a simpler world where faith is easier and the people are kinder.
Overall I did enjoy it, I liked some of the different ideas included - a major one being God portrayed as a woman, or ‘the mother'; a lot of interesting stuff. Reckon I’ll keep this one to reread someday as I’m sure there was plenty that I missed or went over my head.
“Love can consign us to hell or to paradise, but it always takes us somewhere.”
3.5 stars
November 5, 2011
MY FAVORITE LINES FROM THE BOOK:
At some point, we have each said through our tears, “I’m suffering for a love that’s not worth it.” We suffer because we feel we are giving more than we receive. We suffer because our love is going unrecognized. We suffer because we are unable to impose our own rules.
True love is an act of total surrender.
You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.
Every day, God gives us the sun - and also one moment in which we have the ability to change everything that makes us unhappy. Every day, we try to pretend that we haven’t perceived the moment, that it doesn’t exist – that today is the same as yesterday and will be the same as tomorrow. But if people really pay attention in their everyday lives, they will discover that magic moment. It may arrive in the instant when we are doing something mundane, like putting our front-door key in the lock; it may lie hidden in the quiet that follows the lunch hour or in the thousand and one things that all seems the same to us. But that moment exists – a moment when all the power of the stars becomes a part of us and enables us to perform miracles.
I could have. What does this phrase mean? At any given moment in our lives, there are certain things that could have happened but didn’t. The magic moments go unrecognized, and then suddenly, the hand of destiny changes everything.
If pain must come, may it come quickly. Because I have a life to live, and I need to live it in the best way possible. If he has to make a choice, may he make it now. Then I will either wait for him or forget him. Waiting is painful. Forgetting is painful. But not knowing which to do is the worst kind of suffering.
Dreams mean work.
At some point, we have each said through our tears, “I’m suffering for a love that’s not worth it.” We suffer because we feel we are giving more than we receive. We suffer because our love is going unrecognized. We suffer because we are unable to impose our own rules.
True love is an act of total surrender.
You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.
Every day, God gives us the sun - and also one moment in which we have the ability to change everything that makes us unhappy. Every day, we try to pretend that we haven’t perceived the moment, that it doesn’t exist – that today is the same as yesterday and will be the same as tomorrow. But if people really pay attention in their everyday lives, they will discover that magic moment. It may arrive in the instant when we are doing something mundane, like putting our front-door key in the lock; it may lie hidden in the quiet that follows the lunch hour or in the thousand and one things that all seems the same to us. But that moment exists – a moment when all the power of the stars becomes a part of us and enables us to perform miracles.
I could have. What does this phrase mean? At any given moment in our lives, there are certain things that could have happened but didn’t. The magic moments go unrecognized, and then suddenly, the hand of destiny changes everything.
If pain must come, may it come quickly. Because I have a life to live, and I need to live it in the best way possible. If he has to make a choice, may he make it now. Then I will either wait for him or forget him. Waiting is painful. Forgetting is painful. But not knowing which to do is the worst kind of suffering.
Dreams mean work.
March 18, 2019
“If pain must come, may it come quickly. Because I have a life to live, and I need to live it in the best way possible. If he has to make a choice, may he make it now. Then I will either wait for him or forget him.”
― Paulo Coelho, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept
🌟1/5🌟
Really!... Is this a joke??!! because I thought this was absolutely horrible.
― Paulo Coelho, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept
🌟1/5🌟
Really!... Is this a joke??!! because I thought this was absolutely horrible.
May 16, 2025
By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept by Paulo Coelho offers an exploration of love, spirituality, and personal transformation, but ultimately falls short in delivering a meaningful or engaging narrative. The prose feels overly simplistic, and the philosophical musings often come across as repetitive or forced rather than thought-provoking. Coelho's attempt to explore the deep connection between the protagonists and their journey towards self-actualization feels superficial, lacking the emotional depth or complexity needed to make their journey resonate.
The pacing is slow, with long stretches of introspection that detract from any potential momentum. The romance, which is central to the story, feels clichéd and contrived, making it difficult to connect with the characters or their emotions. Rather than offering insight, the book seems more like a collection of vague aphorisms, which may appeal to readers seeking spiritual guidance but will likely frustrate those hoping for a more substantial or nuanced story. Overall, it’s a disappointing read that fails to live up to the promise of its premise.
The pacing is slow, with long stretches of introspection that detract from any potential momentum. The romance, which is central to the story, feels clichéd and contrived, making it difficult to connect with the characters or their emotions. Rather than offering insight, the book seems more like a collection of vague aphorisms, which may appeal to readers seeking spiritual guidance but will likely frustrate those hoping for a more substantial or nuanced story. Overall, it’s a disappointing read that fails to live up to the promise of its premise.
March 19, 2018
*takes deep breath*
Okay , so I saw a GR update about this book and I was like yeah..!! I have read it and its a really good one but i couldnt remember the plot and everything. So I started searching for this book and for what it felt like a million years I found it and read it AGAIN.
Then I mentally slapped my brain for not remembering this book, and my brain was like -'yeah..!! Theres only one explanation for not remembering it, that the aliens must have had abducted me and wiped my memory clean'.
Just kidding (or not) 😅
Anyways.. About the book,
You know about those book where you dont have to know anything about the book or its story or its characters, you just have to dive in. This is one of those book. Its the kind of book you'd either Love or Hate, theres no in between.
I Loved this book, I know some people hated it, maybe they didnt understand the whole concept( for lack of better word) but i adored it.
It has so many good quotes, I have highlighted almost whole book and now my book looks like a rainbow. (Yes I use different color highlighters everytime).
The book is about loss, seeking love, finding love around you, keeping your love, your beliefs. Yes many people can argue about somethings in this book and thats okay, everything has two sides, its upto you how you look at it. Even somethings left me questioning too but thats okay. Maybe we are allowed to have some doubts and questions.
I dont know what else to say about this book, its just that you have to trust me, and just dive in. And i promise you won't come out empty hand, you'd either Learn or Understand or Find something, I can gurantee you that.
Okay , so I saw a GR update about this book and I was like yeah..!! I have read it and its a really good one but i couldnt remember the plot and everything. So I started searching for this book and for what it felt like a million years I found it and read it AGAIN.
Then I mentally slapped my brain for not remembering this book, and my brain was like -'yeah..!! Theres only one explanation for not remembering it, that the aliens must have had abducted me and wiped my memory clean'.
Just kidding (or not) 😅
Anyways.. About the book,
You know about those book where you dont have to know anything about the book or its story or its characters, you just have to dive in. This is one of those book. Its the kind of book you'd either Love or Hate, theres no in between.
I Loved this book, I know some people hated it, maybe they didnt understand the whole concept( for lack of better word) but i adored it.
It has so many good quotes, I have highlighted almost whole book and now my book looks like a rainbow. (Yes I use different color highlighters everytime).
The book is about loss, seeking love, finding love around you, keeping your love, your beliefs. Yes many people can argue about somethings in this book and thats okay, everything has two sides, its upto you how you look at it. Even somethings left me questioning too but thats okay. Maybe we are allowed to have some doubts and questions.
I dont know what else to say about this book, its just that you have to trust me, and just dive in. And i promise you won't come out empty hand, you'd either Learn or Understand or Find something, I can gurantee you that.
August 23, 2009
This book wasn't even close to as good as The Alchemist, and it seems as though it was translated really poorly too. If I could read Portugese I would try it, but since I'm limited to English or Spanish, I think I'm done with trying to make this book better than my original reaction deemed it.
It wasn't a very cohesive story, the whole "feminine face of God" thing was cool, but fairly random and not well elaborated, the "love story" was sappy and pathetic.
It is a super short book, especially when considering the size of the font and the margins, and yet I felt like I was creeping through it. I finished it, as other reviewers have mentioned, solely for the sake of finishing it. Why do we do this to ourselves? Why can't I be more like Trish and just let sucky books go without having to finish them?
Anyway, save yourself from the self-flagellation that will come when you don't feel like finishing it, and don't even start it.
It wasn't a very cohesive story, the whole "feminine face of God" thing was cool, but fairly random and not well elaborated, the "love story" was sappy and pathetic.
It is a super short book, especially when considering the size of the font and the margins, and yet I felt like I was creeping through it. I finished it, as other reviewers have mentioned, solely for the sake of finishing it. Why do we do this to ourselves? Why can't I be more like Trish and just let sucky books go without having to finish them?
Anyway, save yourself from the self-flagellation that will come when you don't feel like finishing it, and don't even start it.
February 24, 2018
رواية اخرى رائعة من الكاتب الكبير باولو كويلو, عند قراءة الكتاب تذهب الى رحلة جميلة وانت تقراء كل صفحة منها ورحلة جميلة لاكتشاف الذات والحب والدين والكثير والكثير من الاشياء التي يكون الانسان عادتنا فيه مُحير الافكار والقرار.
من الأشياء الجميلة في الكتاب هي الحب بين شخصين عكس الافكار والمعتقد ولكن (الحب) الذي جمعهم وقرر ان يحبوا بعظهم على رغم اختلاف الفكار, وهي الحب الذي جعل الاثنين يتقبل افكار الاخر ويؤمن به ويمكن ان نقول ايظا ان يختار الافضل له وللشخص الذي يحبه.
هي رواية سرد لنا الايمان والحب والصداقة بطريقة رائعة كمثل عادتها في الكتابة من باولو كويلو.
على رغم انني مسلم والرواية هي مسيحية ومن قبل بولو كويلو ولكن كتبه بشكل ممتاز, على رغم بعض الافكار التي لا تدعم من قبل ديني او بلأحرى في الواقع ولكن الاهم الرسائل والمعاني الذي قد نتحصل عليه من هذه الرواية رائعة, والاهم هي يجب فصل هذه الاراء والمعتقدات عن واقعي انا وماهي في في الرواية واخذ الاشياء التي استفاد منه في الحياة.
من الأشياء الجميلة في الكتاب هي الحب بين شخصين عكس الافكار والمعتقد ولكن (الحب) الذي جمعهم وقرر ان يحبوا بعظهم على رغم اختلاف الفكار, وهي الحب الذي جعل الاثنين يتقبل افكار الاخر ويؤمن به ويمكن ان نقول ايظا ان يختار الافضل له وللشخص الذي يحبه.
هي رواية سرد لنا الايمان والحب والصداقة بطريقة رائعة كمثل عادتها في الكتابة من باولو كويلو.
على رغم انني مسلم والرواية هي مسيحية ومن قبل بولو كويلو ولكن كتبه بشكل ممتاز, على رغم بعض الافكار التي لا تدعم من قبل ديني او بلأحرى في الواقع ولكن الاهم الرسائل والمعاني الذي قد نتحصل عليه من هذه الرواية رائعة, والاهم هي يجب فصل هذه الاراء والمعتقدات عن واقعي انا وماهي في في الرواية واخذ الاشياء التي استفاد منه في الحياة.
March 16, 2023
چقدر قشنگ بود این کتاب.
این داستان، هرچیزی که میخواستم رو داشت و تمام چیزهایی بود که واقعا نیاز داشتم تو این برهه از زندگیم بشنوم.حرفها و معناها و ریتم فوقالعادهای که بینِ عقل و احساس،عشق و دین،انتخاب و جدال بین "خود" های مختلفی که درونمون داریم یا ایجاد میکنیم...هروقت تو کتابخونم ببینمش یاد این میفتم که چقدر تو زمان درستی خوندمش و تونستم به بهترین شکل لمسش کنم.بعضی قسمتهارو بارها خوندم،خط کشیدم،ضبط کردم و نوشتم...
-داستان حکایتی است که عشق ورزیدن و مواجهه با ترسهایمان را یادآوری میکند، پس دیر یا زود برای دستیابی به بخش دیگر وجود خود، ناگزیریم بر ترسهایمان غلبه کنیم و در وادی عشق گام نهیم.
《هنوز جوونتر از اونی که پلیدی دنیا رو بشناسی.تو هم الان خودت رو یه انقلابی میدونی و میخوای کنار اون دنیا رو عوض کنی.میخوای راه ها رو هموار کنی.دلت میخواد قصهی عشقتون رو به یه افسانه تبدیل کنین تا نسل با نسل اون رو به یاد داشته باشن؛چون هنوز این باور رو داری که با عشق میشه فاتح بود.
-مگه نمیشه؟
-چرا میشه،اما به وقتش،زمانی که جنگهای آسمونی به پایان رسیده باشن.
-من دوستش دارم،نمیتونم تا تموم شدن جنگهای آسمونی صبر کنم.》
این داستان، هرچیزی که میخواستم رو داشت و تمام چیزهایی بود که واقعا نیاز داشتم تو این برهه از زندگیم بشنوم.حرفها و معناها و ریتم فوقالعادهای که بینِ عقل و احساس،عشق و دین،انتخاب و جدال بین "خود" های مختلفی که درونمون داریم یا ایجاد میکنیم...هروقت تو کتابخونم ببینمش یاد این میفتم که چقدر تو زمان درستی خوندمش و تونستم به بهترین شکل لمسش کنم.بعضی قسمتهارو بارها خوندم،خط کشیدم،ضبط کردم و نوشتم...
-داستان حکایتی است که عشق ورزیدن و مواجهه با ترسهایمان را یادآوری میکند، پس دیر یا زود برای دستیابی به بخش دیگر وجود خود، ناگزیریم بر ترسهایمان غلبه کنیم و در وادی عشق گام نهیم.
《هنوز جوونتر از اونی که پلیدی دنیا رو بشناسی.تو هم الان خودت رو یه انقلابی میدونی و میخوای کنار اون دنیا رو عوض کنی.میخوای راه ها رو هموار کنی.دلت میخواد قصهی عشقتون رو به یه افسانه تبدیل کنین تا نسل با نسل اون رو به یاد داشته باشن؛چون هنوز این باور رو داری که با عشق میشه فاتح بود.
-مگه نمیشه؟
-چرا میشه،اما به وقتش،زمانی که جنگهای آسمونی به پایان رسیده باشن.
-من دوستش دارم،نمیتونم تا تموم شدن جنگهای آسمونی صبر کنم.》
Read
March 1, 2024“If pain must come, may it come quickly. Because I have a life to live, and I need to live it in the best way possible. If he has to make a choice, may he make it now. Then I will either wait for him or forget him.”
This book was so relatable, so heartfelt. I think I should read it every year.
This book was so relatable, so heartfelt. I think I should read it every year.
March 20, 2016
If you're expecting another The Alchemist, just stop right there, turn around, and never look back. Seriously. Trust me and do yourself a favor.
After the success of The Alchemist, I feel like Coelho just threw a bunch of ideas together and called it a new story. Sure, it has the themes of faith, love, and following your dreams, but in my opinion, the story just wasn't concrete enough to really... I don't know, actually teach you anything - if that's what Coelho sought to do. The events just felt disconnected.
It took me a few months to finish this book because I kept getting bored of it. I finally finished it for the sake of finishing it.
The author tried to throw in a few themes from The Alchemist, and there are maybe a few good ideas in here, but nothing good enough to waste your time reading an entire book to glean some tidbits.
Note: A lot of reviewers on Amazon said they didn't like the fact that the book delved so much into religion, but I didn't mind that.
After the success of The Alchemist, I feel like Coelho just threw a bunch of ideas together and called it a new story. Sure, it has the themes of faith, love, and following your dreams, but in my opinion, the story just wasn't concrete enough to really... I don't know, actually teach you anything - if that's what Coelho sought to do. The events just felt disconnected.
It took me a few months to finish this book because I kept getting bored of it. I finally finished it for the sake of finishing it.
The author tried to throw in a few themes from The Alchemist, and there are maybe a few good ideas in here, but nothing good enough to waste your time reading an entire book to glean some tidbits.
Note: A lot of reviewers on Amazon said they didn't like the fact that the book delved so much into religion, but I didn't mind that.
July 22, 2017
Πρώτη επαφή με τον Coelho, όχι και η καλύτερη!
Ξεκινά ενδιαφέρον, κάπου χάνεται κάπου κουράζει με τόσες αναφορές στη θρησκεία..
Ξεκινά ενδιαφέρον, κάπου χάνεται κάπου κουράζει με τόσες αναφορές στη θρησκεία..
February 11, 2020
A beautiful experience. Reading Paulo Coelho makes my heart so happy and full, and soaking up the text of this awe-inspiring story has changed my perspective of life itself. The story is much more than a narrative of a love story, it is about following dreams, believing in yourself, supporting others and never giving up. It is about being unique and chsding your own path, instead of a path made by others. It might sound cliche but it makes so much sense. Coelho writes in such an exquisite way. I believe that this book has the ability to change me as a person.
November 25, 2017
El libro más entretenido que he leído del autor. No es mucho de mi gusto pero debo admitir que cumplió su cometido de hacerme pasar el rato. Mas allá de la mitad se volvió tedioso pero como faltaba poco para terminarlo me animé hasta la última página.
January 18, 2016
خیلی بیخود بود... اصلاً تو این داستان میخواست به چی برسه!؟ بهتر بود به جایِ چرخیدن به دورِ پدر روحانی و یا گریه کردن در کنارِ رودخانۀ « پیدرا» خوش رو می انداخت تو رودخانه، تا کرۀ زمین به راحتی از شرِّ یک خرافاتی و یک موجودِ همیشه در حالِ دعا، راحت بشه... چقدر یک موجود میتونه درمانده و بدبخت باشه که مسیرِ زندگیش رو کشیش و کلیسا و یا هر دین و مذهبِ دیگه، تعیین کنه
چقدر یک موجود میتونه خرافاتی و متوهم باشه که به چیزی که نه دیده میشه و نه احساس میشه و وجودش به هیچ روشی ثابت نشده، صفت بده و برای اون جنسیت تعیین کنه
در کتاب آمده که: « در حالی که بقیه مشغولِ خواندنِ سرود مذهبی بودند، با خود گفتم: اگر خداوند دارایِ وجه مؤنث نیز باشد چقدر جالب است. اگر حقیقت داشته باشد پس وجه مؤنثِ خداوند است که عشق را به ما آ��وخت
خوب دوستانِ خردمند، همانطور که در متنِ انتخاب شده از کتاب خواندید، نویسندۀ متوهم غیر از جنسیت تعیین کردن برایِ خدا، او را آموزگاری میدونه که به انسان عشق رو آموزش داه... واقعاً این نوع افراد بیمار هستن
مثلِ این میمونه که بگیم انسانها سوارکاری رو از « اسبِ شاخ دار » آموختن و یا انسان هایِ نادونی که در تاریخ دست به خودکشی و خودسوزی زده اند این کار رو از «ققنوس» یا «سیمرغ» یاد گرفتن
هر خردمندی میدونه که سیمرغ و اسب بالدار چیزی جز افسانه نیستن، پس صفت دادن و یا کار و عملی رو به آنها اختصاص دادن، دور از خرد و بسیار عجیب و مسخره هستش
اگر خداوند عشق رو به انسان آموخته، پس چرا به پیامبرِ اسلام و عرب هایِ بیابانگرد و غارتگر ، عشق رو یاد نداده بود؟!! اگر تمامِ صفحاتِ قرآن کتابِ تازی ها رو زیر و رو کنید نمیتونید واژۀ زیبایِ « عشق » رو بیابید ... همانطور که از « خرد» هم در قرآن چیزی گفته نشده
پیروز باشید و ایرانی
چقدر یک موجود میتونه خرافاتی و متوهم باشه که به چیزی که نه دیده میشه و نه احساس میشه و وجودش به هیچ روشی ثابت نشده، صفت بده و برای اون جنسیت تعیین کنه
در کتاب آمده که: « در حالی که بقیه مشغولِ خواندنِ سرود مذهبی بودند، با خود گفتم: اگر خداوند دارایِ وجه مؤنث نیز باشد چقدر جالب است. اگر حقیقت داشته باشد پس وجه مؤنثِ خداوند است که عشق را به ما آ��وخت
خوب دوستانِ خردمند، همانطور که در متنِ انتخاب شده از کتاب خواندید، نویسندۀ متوهم غیر از جنسیت تعیین کردن برایِ خدا، او را آموزگاری میدونه که به انسان عشق رو آموزش داه... واقعاً این نوع افراد بیمار هستن
مثلِ این میمونه که بگیم انسانها سوارکاری رو از « اسبِ شاخ دار » آموختن و یا انسان هایِ نادونی که در تاریخ دست به خودکشی و خودسوزی زده اند این کار رو از «ققنوس» یا «سیمرغ» یاد گرفتن
هر خردمندی میدونه که سیمرغ و اسب بالدار چیزی جز افسانه نیستن، پس صفت دادن و یا کار و عملی رو به آنها اختصاص دادن، دور از خرد و بسیار عجیب و مسخره هستش
اگر خداوند عشق رو به انسان آموخته، پس چرا به پیامبرِ اسلام و عرب هایِ بیابانگرد و غارتگر ، عشق رو یاد نداده بود؟!! اگر تمامِ صفحاتِ قرآن کتابِ تازی ها رو زیر و رو کنید نمیتونید واژۀ زیبایِ « عشق » رو بیابید ... همانطور که از « خرد» هم در قرآن چیزی گفته نشده
پیروز باشید و ایرانی
May 25, 2018
داستان هفت روز از زندگی دختری به نام پیلار که با پذیرفتن دعوت یک کنفرانس از طرف دوست دوران کودکی اش از زندگی روزمره و تکراری خودش خارج میشه و زندگی تازه ای رو شروع میکنه که سرشار از ناشناخته هاست
داستان اصلی کتاب زیادی کلیشه ای و خسته کننده بود اما جنبه ای از کتاب که برای من از جذابیت ویژه ای برخوردار بود قسمتیه که به ساختار دو قطبی خدواند و جنبه های مادینه ی او پرداخته . اینکه برخلاف باور بسیاری از مذاهب ، خداوند همزمان هم مرد هست و هم زن ، و نه فقط مرد
در این ساختار دو قطبی ، قطب مادرانه و مادینه پرورش دهنده ی عالم رویاست و به جنبه های فلسفی از قبیل عشق و هنر و لذت می پردازد و در مقابل قطب پدرانه یا نرینه که اصولا عملگراست به جنبه های تفکر و منطق گرایش دارد
این اولین کتاب از سه گانه ی"در روز هفتم" هست که توسط كوئيلو نوشته شده و به نظرم نسبت به موضوع و زمان نوشته شدنش زیاد هم کتاب بدی نبود
داستان اصلی کتاب زیادی کلیشه ای و خسته کننده بود اما جنبه ای از کتاب که برای من از جذابیت ویژه ای برخوردار بود قسمتیه که به ساختار دو قطبی خدواند و جنبه های مادینه ی او پرداخته . اینکه برخلاف باور بسیاری از مذاهب ، خداوند همزمان هم مرد هست و هم زن ، و نه فقط مرد
در این ساختار دو قطبی ، قطب مادرانه و مادینه پرورش دهنده ی عالم رویاست و به جنبه های فلسفی از قبیل عشق و هنر و لذت می پردازد و در مقابل قطب پدرانه یا نرینه که اصولا عملگراست به جنبه های تفکر و منطق گرایش دارد
این اولین کتاب از سه گانه ی"در روز هفتم" هست که توسط كوئيلو نوشته شده و به نظرم نسبت به موضوع و زمان نوشته شدنش زیاد هم کتاب بدی نبود
April 16, 2018
Μέχρι να το τελειώσω, κι εγώ έκλαψα. Όχι απ' τη συγκίνηση αλλά από ψυχαναγκασμό. Όμως ήμουν μικρός κι είχα ακόμα ηθικές αρχές, μία εκ των οποίων ήταν να μην αφήνω βιβλία ημιτελή. Κι επειδή είχα ήδη πατήσει τον όρκο μου με βιβλίο του ιδίου που άφησα στη μέση, έσφιξα τα δόντια και το τελείωσα. Μέγα σφάλμα.
Όταν ένα βιβλίο δε σε συνεπαίρνει από τις πρώτες σελίδες, δεν πρόκειται να βελτιωθεί με κάποιο μαγικό τρόπο λίγο πριν το τέλος όσο κι αν συνωμοτήσει το σύμπαν (ή το Chivas).
Όταν ένα βιβλίο δε σε συνεπαίρνει από τις πρώτες σελίδες, δεν πρόκειται να βελτιωθεί με κάποιο μαγικό τρόπο λίγο πριν το τέλος όσο κι αν συνωμοτήσει το σύμπαν (ή το Chivas).
July 24, 2016
I opened this book with NO expectation's. Many people take Paulo Coelho's books with this expectations that it will be as good as The Alchemist is. But no book will ever be good as Alchemist is. So, for me this book was quite unexpected but in a good way. I have read many books of Paulo but this book was quite exception of Paulo's writing. It was desperate, Spiritual and so knowledgeable. I quite learned about Christianity, Spirituality. Love and Decisions.
And so the novel starts out. The most beautiful opening paragraph I’ve ever read in my life. And unless you are heartless or have never been in love, I don’t know how this wouldn’t at least rank somewhere on your list of most beautiful passages.
This book was told by the protagonist Pilar's POV, she took us from the streets of Zargoza to the mountains of France to the river of Piadera. For not believing in Love to falling in love. This book showed us different phases of a human's life to her journey to the life of spirituality. This book's main focus was on the female face of GOD. That women's have been degraded from the early era to now, that Male God's have been more in light then women's. This book told us so many tales and knowledge about Virgin Mary. Which for me was quite interesting. As a Muslim, after Islam the most interesting is Christianity. and this book provide alot of it.
By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept carries a spiritual theme, as he touches quite a bit on the mystical nature of God. In this particular piece, he focuses on the young man’s belief in a feminine God that grants him the power to heal. and then their is Pilar, Pilar struggles to accept and embrace her feelings for him. He struggles to reconcile his love for the seminary, the gifts he has been given and the love he has held onto for so many years. While the beauty of their love story as it unfolds kept me wanting more, I found myself disappointed, especially toward the end when I didn’t feel the same intensity of emotions as I did with the opening paragraphs.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book. I have two more books by Coelho that I want to read. And if you know me, you’ll know that there are VERY few authors from whom I’ve read more than one book. I must really like this guy.
“If pain must come, may it come quickly. Because I have a life to live, and I need to live it in the best way possible. If he has to make a choice, may he make it now. Then I will either wait for him or forget him.”
And so the novel starts out. The most beautiful opening paragraph I’ve ever read in my life. And unless you are heartless or have never been in love, I don’t know how this wouldn’t at least rank somewhere on your list of most beautiful passages.
“By the River Piedra I sat down and wept. There is a legend that everything falls into the waters of this river – leaves, insects, the feathers of bird – is transformed into the rocks that make the riverbed. If only I could tear out my heart and hurl it into the current, then my pain and longing would be over, and I could finally forget.”
This book was told by the protagonist Pilar's POV, she took us from the streets of Zargoza to the mountains of France to the river of Piadera. For not believing in Love to falling in love. This book showed us different phases of a human's life to her journey to the life of spirituality. This book's main focus was on the female face of GOD. That women's have been degraded from the early era to now, that Male God's have been more in light then women's. This book told us so many tales and knowledge about Virgin Mary. Which for me was quite interesting. As a Muslim, after Islam the most interesting is Christianity. and this book provide alot of it.
“In real life, love has to be possible. Even if it is not returned right away, love can only survive when the hope exists that you will be able to win over the person you desire.”
By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept carries a spiritual theme, as he touches quite a bit on the mystical nature of God. In this particular piece, he focuses on the young man’s belief in a feminine God that grants him the power to heal. and then their is Pilar, Pilar struggles to accept and embrace her feelings for him. He struggles to reconcile his love for the seminary, the gifts he has been given and the love he has held onto for so many years. While the beauty of their love story as it unfolds kept me wanting more, I found myself disappointed, especially toward the end when I didn’t feel the same intensity of emotions as I did with the opening paragraphs.
“But love is much like a dam; if you allow a tiny crack to form through which only a trickle of water can pass, that trickle will quickly bring down the whole structure and soon no one will be able to control the force of the current.”
Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book. I have two more books by Coelho that I want to read. And if you know me, you’ll know that there are VERY few authors from whom I’ve read more than one book. I must really like this guy.
“That is why I write - to try to turn sadness into longing, solitude into remembrance.”
July 21, 2014
آقای کوئیلو ..سلام! کتابتون رو خوندم . باور بفرمائید برای همخوابه شدن یه دختر با یه کشیش نیاز به وساطت عیسی و مریم باکره و کلیسا نیست! با تأسف باید بگم کهنه نتها بشدت کسالت بار و ناامیدکننده بود بلکه احساس کردم شما با این سبک نوشتن دارین دام مذهب رو دوباره جلوی پاهای ما باز میکنیین .. تلاشتون برای معرفی کشیش به عنوان شخصی که معجزه میکنه! جالب بود .. دوبار از طرف یه زن و یه مرد معجزه رو نسبت دادین به کشیش کاتولیک .. آقای کوئیلو .. باور کنین قرون وسطا خیلی وقته گذشته .. قبول دارم اگرچه هنوزم طرز تفکر سیاه و مذهب زده اون دوران در وجود خیلی از ما هست .. ولیکن نمیدونم هدفتون از خلاصه کردن انجیل تووی این کتاب چی بود .. هدفتون از نسبت دادن معجزه به کلیسا و شفا گرفتن مریض توسط کشیش و حرف زدن روح القدس با کشیش چی بود .. با عرض معذرت اما من باید بگم که اگر به چیزی که نوشتین واقعا اعتقاد دارین خرافه تا اعماق مغزتون نفوذ کرده .. آقای کوئیلو شما نویسنده این .. پس لطفا مثل عوام نباشید .. تووی دویست صفحه کتاب چه لزومی داره که بیشتر از ششصد بار اسم عیسی و مریم باکره و روح القدس رو بکار ببرین؟ واقعا برای تبلیغ مذهب روش جالبی نیست .. لازم نیست که ذکر کنم که فروید درباره دین چی گفت .. بهر حال امیدوارم کتابای جدیدتون واقعا رمان باشه .. وگرنه من انجیل رو خوندم .. پیروز باشید
June 10, 2019
μιεχ.... :/
February 23, 2010
“By the River Piedra I sat down and wept. There is a legend that everything falls into the waters of this river – leaves, insects, the feathers of bird – is transformed into the rocks that make the riverbed. If only I could tear out my heart and hurl it into the current, then my pain and longing would be over, and I could finally forget.”
And so the novel starts out. The most beautiful opening paragraph I’ve ever read in my life. And unless you are heartless or have never been in love, I don’t know how this wouldn’t at least rank somewhere on your list of most beautiful passages.
By The River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept was written by Paulo Coelho. He is best known for writing The Alchemist which just so happens to be my least favorite of the three books I’ve read by him. My introduction to Coehlo was The Zahir which was, like the other two I read, a beautiful story of love. Neither of those however prepared me for the beauty I would find in that very first paragraph of the novel.
It then continues:
By the River Piedra I sat down and wept. The winter air chills the tears on my cheeks, and my tears fall into the cold waters that course past me. Somewhere this river joins another, then another, until – far from my heart and sight – all of them merge with the sea."
A couple pages later the protagonist, Pilar, takes us back to the beginning to tell the story of how she ended up weeping for this young man. They seemed to have always loved each other, even as childhood friends. However, they grew up and took separate paths in life. He chose to leave their small town to learn about the world (a theme present in both The Alchemist and The Zahir) while she chose to take the prescribed path of enrolling in a nearby university. They kept in touch throughout his travels, and one day he invited Pilar to hear him give a lecture in Madrid.
The story is a whirlwind from here. Pilar struggles to accept and embrace her feelings for him. He struggles to reconcile his love for the seminary, the gifts he has been given and the love he has held onto for so many years. While the beauty of their love story as it unfolds kept me wanting more, I found myself disappointed, especially toward the end when I didn’t feel the same intensity of emotions as I did with the opening paragraphs.
Like the other Coelho books I’ve read, By The River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept carries a spiritual theme, as he touches quite a bit on the mystical nature of God. In this particular piece, he focuses on the young man’s belief in a feminine God that grants him the power to heal. For some this may be an appealing aspect of Coehlo’s writings, but it tends to throw me off. It gives me some of the same vibes that the Celestine Prophecy gave me, which is more eerie than anything else.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book. I have two more books by Coelho that I want to read. And if you know me, you’ll know that there are VERY few authors from whom I’ve read more than one book. I must really like this guy.
And so the novel starts out. The most beautiful opening paragraph I’ve ever read in my life. And unless you are heartless or have never been in love, I don’t know how this wouldn’t at least rank somewhere on your list of most beautiful passages.
By The River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept was written by Paulo Coelho. He is best known for writing The Alchemist which just so happens to be my least favorite of the three books I’ve read by him. My introduction to Coehlo was The Zahir which was, like the other two I read, a beautiful story of love. Neither of those however prepared me for the beauty I would find in that very first paragraph of the novel.
It then continues:
By the River Piedra I sat down and wept. The winter air chills the tears on my cheeks, and my tears fall into the cold waters that course past me. Somewhere this river joins another, then another, until – far from my heart and sight – all of them merge with the sea."
A couple pages later the protagonist, Pilar, takes us back to the beginning to tell the story of how she ended up weeping for this young man. They seemed to have always loved each other, even as childhood friends. However, they grew up and took separate paths in life. He chose to leave their small town to learn about the world (a theme present in both The Alchemist and The Zahir) while she chose to take the prescribed path of enrolling in a nearby university. They kept in touch throughout his travels, and one day he invited Pilar to hear him give a lecture in Madrid.
The story is a whirlwind from here. Pilar struggles to accept and embrace her feelings for him. He struggles to reconcile his love for the seminary, the gifts he has been given and the love he has held onto for so many years. While the beauty of their love story as it unfolds kept me wanting more, I found myself disappointed, especially toward the end when I didn’t feel the same intensity of emotions as I did with the opening paragraphs.
Like the other Coelho books I’ve read, By The River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept carries a spiritual theme, as he touches quite a bit on the mystical nature of God. In this particular piece, he focuses on the young man’s belief in a feminine God that grants him the power to heal. For some this may be an appealing aspect of Coehlo’s writings, but it tends to throw me off. It gives me some of the same vibes that the Celestine Prophecy gave me, which is more eerie than anything else.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book. I have two more books by Coelho that I want to read. And if you know me, you’ll know that there are VERY few authors from whom I’ve read more than one book. I must really like this guy.
November 20, 2008
This is another book of Coelho which couldn't give me satisfaction as what The Alchemist does. I learn a lot from The Alchemist.
However, it still a nice one.
It gives proof that Coelho has a deep knowledge and skills about diverse religions, although it is clear that that He has more about Christianity. However, it might be hard for those non-Christianity readers when they read this book (this is only a guess).
Above all, I do believe that GOD has feminine face. Why I can say that? Well, we are, humans, were created through GOD's image. And I believe that each of us has both, feminine and masculine factors. It just a matter of in what context we put ourselves.
I love the way Coelho says in this book, that every religions put different names for GOD. Thus, every religion are good. Unfortunately, I still can't find the right quotation of it.
Last, I do feel grateful for Coelho. He reminds me to keep on believing GOD's will in my life. To not easily give up, since there always be a rainbow after rain...
However, it still a nice one.
It gives proof that Coelho has a deep knowledge and skills about diverse religions, although it is clear that that He has more about Christianity. However, it might be hard for those non-Christianity readers when they read this book (this is only a guess).
Above all, I do believe that GOD has feminine face. Why I can say that? Well, we are, humans, were created through GOD's image. And I believe that each of us has both, feminine and masculine factors. It just a matter of in what context we put ourselves.
I love the way Coelho says in this book, that every religions put different names for GOD. Thus, every religion are good. Unfortunately, I still can't find the right quotation of it.
Last, I do feel grateful for Coelho. He reminds me to keep on believing GOD's will in my life. To not easily give up, since there always be a rainbow after rain...
September 2, 2023
I'm not entirely sure this was the best Coelho to start with, as this story wasn't straightforward in the sense of it making much sense. (I know what I mean.) The writing was creative and the words were sometimes beautiful, just like a few decorative bows had placed, mostly little and often. I wouldn't say this enthralled me, but I was entertained.
If we let it, the book teaches about the power of love, and what sacrifices a person can make for that, and in the case of this book, it was religion. I'll admit that I was slightly moved by a few select scenes, but nothing earth shattering. I felt like the author held back, and I was waiting for elaboration.
This wasn't a disappointment by any means, but it just didn't tick all my boxes. (I own a lot.)
“By the River Piedra I sat down and wept. There is a legend that everything falls into the waters of this river – leaves, insects, the feathers of bird – is transformed into the rocks that make the riverbed. If only I could tear out my heart and hurl it into the current, then my pain and longing would be over, and I could finally forget.”
If we let it, the book teaches about the power of love, and what sacrifices a person can make for that, and in the case of this book, it was religion. I'll admit that I was slightly moved by a few select scenes, but nothing earth shattering. I felt like the author held back, and I was waiting for elaboration.
This wasn't a disappointment by any means, but it just didn't tick all my boxes. (I own a lot.)
“By the River Piedra I sat down and wept. There is a legend that everything falls into the waters of this river – leaves, insects, the feathers of bird – is transformed into the rocks that make the riverbed. If only I could tear out my heart and hurl it into the current, then my pain and longing would be over, and I could finally forget.”
May 12, 2018
Ok where do I start. Personally for me, whenever you mix religion with a special type of philosophy I get this sense as if someone is calling my name. This book called my name. The character Pilar reflects us all in a way. The man in the story (completely nameless) has loved ever since they were little. They go about roaming in the street for a vacation, but her religion takes a whole different turn.
He guides her through life in a span of a week. Thats pretty cool. They keep mentioning 'Her'. As is the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus and mother to all. What kept me reading was how they discussed god consisting of both male and female. God has a face of a woman and a man. I know, shocking... this is just a VERY brief summary to what the book has to offer. Coelho never disappoints. (Except for The Spy, I'm not really sure what he was thinking.)
He guides her through life in a span of a week. Thats pretty cool. They keep mentioning 'Her'. As is the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus and mother to all. What kept me reading was how they discussed god consisting of both male and female. God has a face of a woman and a man. I know, shocking... this is just a VERY brief summary to what the book has to offer. Coelho never disappoints. (Except for The Spy, I'm not really sure what he was thinking.)
April 19, 2023
Hace AÑOS que quería leer esto, básicamente por el título tan evocador, porque ¿quién no ha tenido ganas de sentarse al borde de un río y llorar? Y entremedio que pase algo interesante, qué entretenido, porque obvio que así ha de ser sino para qué escribir un libro en primer lugar. Es como bien místico y además misterioso, y la emoción... uf. Nunca hay que subvalorar la importancia de un buen título.
Además, pese a que la gente se engolosina mofándose de Coelho (jaja), a mí ME ENCANTÓ "El alquimista", y "Verónica decide morir" me gustó bastante también. Puros prejuicios con él en la mayoría de los casos, en especial, si nos acordamos de que hay gente como KENZABURO OE (Nobel maravilloso, aunque también un tanto oscuro) que lo elogia públicamente.
Sin embargo, este libro... no me gustó. Demasiada parafernalia religiosa, demasiado machismo encubierto más encima en nombre de la mujer, demasiados clichés. Hay partes que subrayé por lo impresionantes que eran en su fanatismo, pero ahora me da pena compartirlas porque cómo tan mala onda, y eso que confieso que me hicieron literalmente carcajear (los episodios del "hablar en lenguas" *risa sofocada.) Y luego los tales descubrimientos del tal protagonista/seminarista, etcétera... a la horita, pues. Quizá fue innovador hace varias décadas, pero pretender que hoy sea rupturista decir que las mujeres están a la misma altura que los hombres... nah. Migajas, por decir lo menos.
En fin, que encontré que gran parte de la historia no era necesaria y que, en el anhelo de hacerla mística (hablar en lenguas, milagros), quedó media caricaturesca. Además, no sé, me sentí como leyendo el diario de vida de unos adolescentes. Quizá la cuarentena ha terminado de matar el sentido de romance en mí, jajaja.
Pero tiene partes muy dulces, y algunas nociones interesantes y distintas, y no fue un completo no para mí. Coelho es definitivamente un buen narrador, aunque en esta ocasión le haya puesto mucho, así que siento que debo darle al menos dos estrellas.
Un par de citas que destaqué:
1.
Es necesario correr riesgos, decía. Sólo entendemos del todo el milagro de la vida cuando dejamos que suceda lo inesperado. Todos los días Dios nos da, junto con el sol, un momento en el que es posible cambiar todo lo que nos hace infelices. Todos los días tratamos de fingir que no percibimos ese momento, que ese momento no existe, que hoy es igual que ayer y será igual que mañana. Pero quien presta atención a su día, descubre un instante de silencio después del almuerzo, en las mil y una cosas que nos parecen iguales.
Ese momento existe: un momento en el que toda la fuerza de las estrellas pasa a través de nosotros y nos permite hacer milagros. La felicidad es a veces una bendición, pero por lo general es una conquista.
2. Un tanto duro el tal maestro, pero no deja de tener su punto.
Pobre del que tiene miedo a correr riesgos. Porque ése quizá no se decepcione nunca, ni tenga desilusiones, ni sufra como los que persiguen un sueño. Pero al mirar hacia atrás - porque siempre miramos hacia atrás - oirá al corazón que le dice: "¿Qué hiciste con los milagros que Dios sembró en tus días? ¿Qué hiciste con los talentos que tu Maestro te confió? Los enterraste en el fondo de una cueva, porque tenías miedo de perderlos. Entonces, ésta es tu herencia: la certeza de que has desperdiciado tu vida".
3. Acá me molestó un poco cómo asignan todo el poder de la naturaleza a las mujeres. Los hombres también son parte del yin yang. Endiosarnos tanto encuentro que es un tipo subterráneo y bastante frecuente de discriminación encubierta.
- Mientras los hombres salían a cazar, nosotras nos quedábamos en las cavernas, en el vientre de la Madre, cuidando a nuestros hijos - prosiguió ella-. Y fue allí donde la Gran Madre nos enseñó todo. El hombre vivía en movimiento, mientras nosotras estábamos en el vientre de la Madre. Eso nos hizo percibir que las semillas se transformaban en plantas y avisamos a nuestros hombres. Hicimos el primer pan y los alimentamos. Moldeamos el primer vaso para que bebiesen. Y entendimos el ciclo de la creación porque nuestro cuerpo repetía el ciclo de la luna.
4. Acá tenía subrayada la cita de la hablada en lenguas, pero después encontré que era un tanto maldadoso, jeje.
5. Machismo encubierto otra vez. Aunque la intención subyacente probablemente sea buena.
- Quiero hablar de otro tipo de amor - insistió -. Aquel que comparten un hombre y una mujer y en el que también se manifiestan los milagros. Le cogí las manos. Él podía conocer los misterios de la Diosa, pero de amor sabía tanto como yo. Por mucho que hubiese viajado. Y tendría que pagar un precio: la iniciativa. Porque la mujer paga el precio más alto: la entrega.
Además, pese a que la gente se engolosina mofándose de Coelho (jaja), a mí ME ENCANTÓ "El alquimista", y "Verónica decide morir" me gustó bastante también. Puros prejuicios con él en la mayoría de los casos, en especial, si nos acordamos de que hay gente como KENZABURO OE (Nobel maravilloso, aunque también un tanto oscuro) que lo elogia públicamente.
Sin embargo, este libro... no me gustó. Demasiada parafernalia religiosa, demasiado machismo encubierto más encima en nombre de la mujer, demasiados clichés. Hay partes que subrayé por lo impresionantes que eran en su fanatismo, pero ahora me da pena compartirlas porque cómo tan mala onda, y eso que confieso que me hicieron literalmente carcajear (los episodios del "hablar en lenguas" *risa sofocada.) Y luego los tales descubrimientos del tal protagonista/seminarista, etcétera... a la horita, pues. Quizá fue innovador hace varias décadas, pero pretender que hoy sea rupturista decir que las mujeres están a la misma altura que los hombres... nah. Migajas, por decir lo menos.
En fin, que encontré que gran parte de la historia no era necesaria y que, en el anhelo de hacerla mística (hablar en lenguas, milagros), quedó media caricaturesca. Además, no sé, me sentí como leyendo el diario de vida de unos adolescentes. Quizá la cuarentena ha terminado de matar el sentido de romance en mí, jajaja.
Pero tiene partes muy dulces, y algunas nociones interesantes y distintas, y no fue un completo no para mí. Coelho es definitivamente un buen narrador, aunque en esta ocasión le haya puesto mucho, así que siento que debo darle al menos dos estrellas.
Un par de citas que destaqué:
1.
Es necesario correr riesgos, decía. Sólo entendemos del todo el milagro de la vida cuando dejamos que suceda lo inesperado. Todos los días Dios nos da, junto con el sol, un momento en el que es posible cambiar todo lo que nos hace infelices. Todos los días tratamos de fingir que no percibimos ese momento, que ese momento no existe, que hoy es igual que ayer y será igual que mañana. Pero quien presta atención a su día, descubre un instante de silencio después del almuerzo, en las mil y una cosas que nos parecen iguales.
Ese momento existe: un momento en el que toda la fuerza de las estrellas pasa a través de nosotros y nos permite hacer milagros. La felicidad es a veces una bendición, pero por lo general es una conquista.
2. Un tanto duro el tal maestro, pero no deja de tener su punto.
Pobre del que tiene miedo a correr riesgos. Porque ése quizá no se decepcione nunca, ni tenga desilusiones, ni sufra como los que persiguen un sueño. Pero al mirar hacia atrás - porque siempre miramos hacia atrás - oirá al corazón que le dice: "¿Qué hiciste con los milagros que Dios sembró en tus días? ¿Qué hiciste con los talentos que tu Maestro te confió? Los enterraste en el fondo de una cueva, porque tenías miedo de perderlos. Entonces, ésta es tu herencia: la certeza de que has desperdiciado tu vida".
3. Acá me molestó un poco cómo asignan todo el poder de la naturaleza a las mujeres. Los hombres también son parte del yin yang. Endiosarnos tanto encuentro que es un tipo subterráneo y bastante frecuente de discriminación encubierta.
- Mientras los hombres salían a cazar, nosotras nos quedábamos en las cavernas, en el vientre de la Madre, cuidando a nuestros hijos - prosiguió ella-. Y fue allí donde la Gran Madre nos enseñó todo. El hombre vivía en movimiento, mientras nosotras estábamos en el vientre de la Madre. Eso nos hizo percibir que las semillas se transformaban en plantas y avisamos a nuestros hombres. Hicimos el primer pan y los alimentamos. Moldeamos el primer vaso para que bebiesen. Y entendimos el ciclo de la creación porque nuestro cuerpo repetía el ciclo de la luna.
4. Acá tenía subrayada la cita de la hablada en lenguas, pero después encontré que era un tanto maldadoso, jeje.
5. Machismo encubierto otra vez. Aunque la intención subyacente probablemente sea buena.
- Quiero hablar de otro tipo de amor - insistió -. Aquel que comparten un hombre y una mujer y en el que también se manifiestan los milagros. Le cogí las manos. Él podía conocer los misterios de la Diosa, pero de amor sabía tanto como yo. Por mucho que hubiese viajado. Y tendría que pagar un precio: la iniciativa. Porque la mujer paga el precio más alto: la entrega.
May 1, 2008
By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept" tells of Pilar, a frustrated scholar looking for some greater meaning in the endless cycle of her days. When a childhood friend contacts her, she is surprised to learn that her former playmate is now a charismatic spiritual leader, someone revered as a miracle worker. She is even more astonished when he reveals that Pilar has always been his great love. Confused by this sudden opportunity for a new chance at life, Pilar gradually comes to realize that the man she loves is being called upon to choose between her and his spiritual calling. As the suffering lovers travel through sacred sites in the French Pyrenees, the difficult choice they face offers a startling revelation about the divine and the redemptive power of love. Full of warmth and wisdom, joy and unexpected sorrow, their story is a magical celebration of the endless possibilities that life has to offer, and a fable about opening your heart to miracles.
September 30, 2020
Started out with its hooks in, but didn't take a super long time to lose me. I wasn't fond of his not unfounded but one-dimensional ideas about women, and the narrative became an exercise in what felt like intentional anecdotal quotes designed to become memorable one-liners but not quite getting there. Coelho is one hell of a talented writer, but this one is far from his best. Your mileage may vary.
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