Paulo Coelho: Confessions of a Pilgrim

by Juan Arias

These conversational style interviews with Paul Coehlo, conducted by journalist Juan Arias, cover a wide range of topics including: Paul's being institutionalized as a young man for his artistic leanings; his kidnapping and torture by paramilitaries; his experiences with Black Magic and drugs; his epiphany at Dauchau, and vision of his own death; his views on the nature of writing and the spiritual quest.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Spirituality, Self Help

254 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Dish Wanderer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything happens for a reason and one should believe and look out for signs. This simple precept from Paulo Coelho is so true and timeless. I had bought Confessions from a Pilgrim eight years ago at a bookstore since I love all things Paulo Coelho and wanted to read this one too. However, as all bibliophiles know, our to-read pile is so high, I never got around to reading this book until now. I carried this book with me when I travelled across the seven seas for my education six years ago and still did not get around to it. Until now. The reason I could finally read this book was because it was time. All books know when they have to come to us and be read. This one knew I was ready for it. I was anyway going to discuss Coelho’s The Alchemist for my book club in February and I wanted a break from fiction and needed a little spiritual reinvigoration and so everything came together perfectly for me to read this book. The reason that I went into such great detail about this is because things happen when they are supposed to us and the universe blesses us when we are on the path to our personal destines. And we don’t need Coelho to tell us this; we know it but forget it and that is why we need writers like Coelho to remind us!

Coming back to the book, it is a series of interviews by Julian Arias to Coelho. They range on a number of subjects from writing, readers to omens and magic. If you are interested in Coelho’s work and love his books and would also want to know more about the author’s life, this is the book for you. There are things he said I completely agreed with, some I disagreed and with some I was skeptical. And that was the fun part, do I like the man behind the work? Do I have to agree with everything he says/ believes in? And is it important? The author is dead so is it important to know or care about him or his personal life? Is important that I like the author? These are all relevant questions that I grappled with while reading the book. And as always, the book reaffirmed my faith in omens and pursuing a personal destiny.
Do I recommend it? Yes, if you love Coelho’s books and want to know more and especially about the man behind the writing. I don’t know how much a non-reader of his books will be able to appreciate it. It does deserve the four stars that I am giving it.

[Amani · Rating 5 out of 5]

كتاب حلو جدا
سيرة ذاتية لهذا الرجل المبدع
على الرغم من بساطة أسلوبة في الروايات وبساطة الطرح إلا ان التفاصيل الصغيرة تعطي للرواية بعدا آخر
في مذكراته تحدث بطريقة مختلفة
تألمت كثيرا لفكرة إيداع عائلته له في مستشفى المجانين
بالفعل كل إنسان مختلف عن مجتمعه يمكن أن يحارب ربما ليكون متفق مع الجميع وهذا ربما يفسر ماحدث له رغبة والدية عندما اختلفت معه كان مصيرة المصحة النفسية
فكرة مرعبة والحمد لله لم يفكر فيها والدي على الأقل
ولكن روايته الرائعة فيرونيكا تقرر أن تموت عندما قرائتها شعرت أن الكاتب لابد وأن عاش في مستشفى المجانين
كل تلك التفاصيل لا يمكن أن تكتب من قبل شخص عادي
تظل باولو كويلو أحد أفضل الكتاب بالنسبة لي
شكرا على اعترافاتك فقد عرفتنا على شخصية مختلفة صنعت من قاع الفشل نجاح رائع

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real insight into the life of the author which also sheds light onto the themes and reasons why he chooses the subjects of philosophy and life experiences to write about.
A very candid, frank view of his life and it reveals warts and all. At times he was not a very nice person but he has also done some good work in his life. Overall a very interesting read if you like the work of the author in general.

[Novie Octavia · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a fan of Paulo Coelho, you must read this book. Paulo Coelho tell everything that he can share to us. About his darkest life. He was a hippies, drug addicted, was staying in soul assylum (assuming this story inspired him to write Veronica Decides to Die), looking for God existense, his supranatural experiences which effect to his next life.

[Shima Mahmoudi · Rating 5 out of 5]

نمی دونم چرا تا امروز نخونده بودمش ❤
مصاحبه ای هست با پائولو کوئیلو که از مسیر زندگیش و سختی هایی که کشیده و دیدگاهش نسبت به مواردی از جمله جادو، سفر، اعتیاد، ... میگه
فوق العاده لذت بخش بود تجربه مطالعه این کتاب

[Roniq · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bio of my Favorite Writer Paulo Coelho. Very good so far.
Chronicles his life as a Lyricist, Catholic, Atheist, victim of the Brazilian Paramilitary held captive and tortured, Confined to a mental hospital by his parents and His pilgrimage on the ancient road to Santiago. On loan from an out of state library, I had no idea that Seattle Public Library did this.. Very cool.

[أروى · Rating 5 out of 5]

أجرى الكاتب والصحفي الإسباني" جان إيرياس" مقابلة طويلة امتدت لعدة أيام مع الكاتب البرازيلي "باولو كويلهو" في منزله..كان يلقي عليه الأسئلة ثم يتركه ليبحر أنى شاء..في النهاية أصدر الصحفي هذا الكتاب وكأنه توثيق لسيرة الكاتب الذاتية
تحدث باولو كويلهو عن تجاربه المتطرفة في الحياة..عن إيداع والديه له في مصح نفسي منذ كان في السابعة عشرة لأنه أراد العمل في المسرح عوضاً عن دراسة تخصص مرموق..
تكرر هروبه ثم إجباره إلى العودة إلى المصح عدة مرات في ذلك العمر المبكر..
هرب بعدها ملحداً وانضم إلى جماعة الهيبيين ، اعتنق الماركسية ثم مارس السحر الأسود وقد كانت أكثر تجاربه إيلاماً وتطرفاً وعدائية..
هرب إلى أمريكا وغرق في المخدرات ..استمر عدة سنوات على هذا الحال حتى أقلع عن المخدرات..
كان مولعاً بالسفر وبالتجارب الروحية بشكل عام..
حج إلى "سنتياغو" كممارسة دينية يؤديها الكاثوليكيين وعاد إلى أحضان الإيمان المسيحي رافضاً التعاليم لكنه مقتنعاً بفكرة الإله والإرتقاء الروحي والسلام الداخلي..
بالطبع سيرة كهذه لا يعجب بها أحد أبداً ، ولكن ما جعل الكتاب مختلفاً بالنسبة لي ذلك الصدق في سرد تجارب الكاتب الشخصية ونظرته الفلسفية للأمور والتي جعلت منه كاتباً من أشهر كتاب العالم..
تحدث عن الشهرة..وعن المرأة في حياته..عن العلامات التي ما زال يتتبعها ..عن طقوسه الكتابية ..عن علاقته بالقراء..وعن حالة الجزر والمد التي تصيبه ككاتب وكإنسان والتي هي جزء من قوانين الكون والطبيعة..
.
.
أحببت الكتاب جداً ..لامس أعماقي..

[Saleem Khashan · Rating 1 out of 5]

أستغرب من الريفيوس العربية والمسلمة المحلقة في السموات مع الكتاب والكاتب، أنا أكره كوليو، أسلوبه إنشائي لا يصلح للعصر الحديث يخبرك ماذا يجب أن تفعل وتفكر و ليس هناك وقت ولا داع لذلك في عصرنا الحديث (أعترف أني فقط قرأت هذا الكتاب من مقابلات معه و الكيمست). المهم أن قراءة هذا الكتاب تمر بك قصة عن مقابلته لشيمعون بيريز وإعتبار الكاتب لشمعون بيريز أهم شخصية يقابلها وكان مأخوذ به، يامسلمين ياعرب بابني آدميين بلاش أي شي ثاني غير الآدمية والأخوة الإنسانية هل شمعون بيريز مثلكم الأعلى؟ أم إنكم قرأتم نسخة لم يذكر فيها ما ذكرت؟
I wish he would stand to what he is preaching and at least be ashamed from Describing Shimon Perez as the most influential person he met and was impressed with. Preach all you want being owed by a mass murderer like Shimon Says a lot about you.

[Marwa Qais · Rating 5 out of 5]

(كل شخص هو خيميائي نفسه)


كتاب عبارة عن لقاء مطول مع واحد من افضل عشرة كتاب في العالم في الوقت الحالي..اجرى اللقاء " جان ارياس " وضمنه في نهايته بلقاء اجرينه معه ثلاث فتيات من عشاق ادب كويلو التقين صدفة بجان في رحلته من اسبانيا الئ البرازيل لاجراء اللقاء.

اشبع الكتاب نهمي في معرفة كل شيء تقريبا عن الروائي المفضل بالنسبة لي حيث تحدث عن ادق تفاصيل ما مر به في حياته؛ بدءآ من دخوله المصح دون اي ذنب! مرورا بالسجن ثلاث مرات وحتى حجه واكتشافه لمعنى الحياة ..وايضاحه للسبب الذي يدفع البعض لتجنب قراءة رواياته..ويدفع القسم الاخر للاشادة بما يكتب..وقد وجدت ذلك فعلا حقيقي.

في هذا الكتاب (اللقاء) اقتبست منه جملة ليست بالهينة من عبارات تسبر اغوار النفس والبحث عن المعنى والقيمة الجمالية في جوهر الحياة وليس بظاهرها وحسب..وذلك ماتشتمل عليه رواياته.

[Noor alobaid]

I've read half of it last year, then i stopped continue reading becouse it a studying crossed at that time so i should close every book other than studying books, : the book was so nice, gives info about life of paulo which was not soo easy he went through tough times in his life, and my admiration increased after knowing more about him gonna reread if and continue it, and currently i am reading his biography written by Fernando Morais, and i always enjoy reading about Paulo, and knowing from where or by what he is getting his beautiful inspiration

[Uthpala Dassanayake · Rating 3 out of 5]

First I must say I see Paulo Coelho simply as a good writer, I do not look up to him as some spiritual guide. However, reading this book, I can understand better how he has become the author he is. The whole book is written in interview mode. For a short article it is fine, but I found it bit boring after a while.

[domniemanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niektóre statementy są już trochę nieaktualne i mogą uwierać, jak np postrzeganie szpitala psychiatrycznego. Ale mam taki sentyment do tego człowieka, że czytało mi się to z ogromną przyjemnością. To wywiad, w którym nie ma sztucznej poprawności politycznej, a raczej rozmowa od serca. Wiele mądrych rzeczy się tu pojawia. Niezmienne - uwielbiam Paula Coelho!

[JW van der Merwe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The life story of a man who came from nowhere, drugs, etc to be a great writer! Great stuff.

[Rhidi Joyee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I try to humble before mystery""There is no reason that something I don't understand rationally should not be true. Mystery Exists."
I see religion as a group of people who make up a living body that develops and includes all its miserable and sublime aspects"
We put thirty spokes together and call it a wheel ,
But it is on the space where there is nothing that the
usefulness of the wheel depends.
we turn clay to make a vessel,
But it is on the space where there is nothing that the
usefulness of the vessel depends.
We pierce doors and windows to make a house,
And it is on the spaces that there is nothing that the usefulness of the house depends.
Therefore, Just as we take advantage of what is,
we should recognize the usefulness of what is not.

"No one can feel full if they haven't first been able to empty themselves from within, as all the great mystics of all the great religions have told us."
" The acceptance of life as an adventure of the spirit"
" There are eight or nine ways to die, if you choose your way its your personal story, your destiny, your legend. What you shouldn't do is live your father's way or your husband's, because they are not your paths, and you'll get to the end of your life without experiencing your own"
I think its not just about changing, but of recognizing that I'm small, fragile but i have to love myself anyway and people have to accept me the way I am.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Paulo Coelho's books, so when I learned that someone had interviewed him and put it in a book, I didn't mind shelling out the $25 for a paperback.

Coelho has no doubt led a very interesting life - from writing hit songs, to being tortured by the Brazilian secret police, to dabbling in black magic and drugs. He is no less eccentric today, and no doubt no less interesting. However, I had a hard time getting past the book's structure and the translation from Spanish (the language of the original interview - not Portuguese as one would expect) into rather awkward English.

The book will still be interesting to absolute buffs, but it may be best left unread by those who wish simply to revel in the beauty of such books as The Alchemist.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yah, I liked this, because it's awesome to be able to put a face to the books I've been reading. To read about the author, and his life, gives a richer meaning to the experience of reading his books.

[Fatma Alobaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

أحببت الكتاب كثيراً جدا حيث أظهر بساطة وعمق أفكار كويلّو كالعادة، كان ملهماً جدا واستمتعت برحلتي معه

[Primadonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh so many questions and insights.

Unfortunately, the ending is a bit too abrupt, otherwise I'd give it 5 stars.

[Ondi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite writer ever!!

[Willy Akhdes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wawancara yang sangat mendalam dan personal. Saya jadi banyak tahu mengenai perjalanan hidup dan proses kreatif Coelho dari buku ini.

[Juliana Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something I've heard recently that got to me deeply and has helped me approach certain biographies I've read lately "This generation doesn't have heroes because we crucify them all". Maybe, there isn't a need for heroes even, maybe we are better looking at each other's eyes, recognizing the walking messes that we are, no sugarcoating it, but this doesn't need to shadow away the light that resides in each one of us.

In this book, one can truly appreciate how Coelho, ever the enigmatic figure, shines on so brightly, because of his passion, because of his f*ck ups, because he owns to his horrible sh*t and makes it work. I might not agree with some of the things he says, hell I might be incredibly against them, but there is a lot to be learned from this human being. After, taking a glance at the heart chambers of this man, I will pursue further reading of him.

[João Teixeira · Rating 2 out of 5]

Esta é uma entrevista em forma de livro.

Misticismos, espiritismos, magias (brancas ou negras ou de outra cor qualquer), esoterismos, filosofias de algibeira, etc., não fazem nada o meu género. No entanto, posso admitir que à medida que ia avançando na leitura desta entrevista (não obstante nas primeiras páginas ter a leve sensação de que Paulo Coelho estava a fugir ao que lhe era perguntado e a mostrar um certo "snobismo") fui percebendo um pouco melhor o escritor e o porquê de escrever o que escreve.

Enfim... Trata-se de um autor lido em todas as partes do mundo, por todo o tipo de gente... Quanto mais não seja, Paulo Coelho põe pessoas a ler, e isso lá terá o seu mérito.

[Rhea D'Souza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book because the word 'pilgrim' stood out for me.
Its been a while since I've read Coelho's books , but i too had an 'alchemist' phase and thought reading about Coelho would shed some insight into the spiritual aspects of his writing.
This interview-esque format doesn't sit too well with me personally and it feels like the translation has doused the spirit of these words.

Overall the book wasn't as 'deep' as i expected it to be. But, there still are a few pearls of wisdom in between paragraphs :)

[Mazen Alloujami · Rating 4 out of 5]

هذا الكتاب عبارة عن حوار طويل أقامه المؤلف مع الروائي العالمي باولو كويلو.
في هذا الحوار يكشف الكاتب عن عمق تفكيره وعن سطحيته في آن معاً، فيصعب الحكم عليه، وإن كنت أميل للقول بسطحيته أكثر من عمقه.
Ce livre est une longue discussion avec le romancier international Paulo Coelho.
On découvre la profondeur et la superficialité de sa pensée, ce qui rend le jugement difficile. Moi, personnellement, je le juge plutôt superficiel.

[Tomi Wibisono · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belum pernah baca coelho, penasaran dengan buku ini karena formatnya wawancara. Wawancara panjang dengan penulis ttg banyak topik. Sebuah format favorit saya. di sini kita bisa tau kehidupan dan pemikiran coelho. Keseruan ttg masa muda, hingga betapa membosankannya menjadi tua dan tobat..

Buku yg bagus, penulis yg hebat.. tapi saya tetap Belum tertarik baca karyanya yang banyak lahir setelah dia tobat.

[Sujaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A biographical pick on Paulo Coelho by Juan aris, an author who always reminds us about the other dimensions of life which have been long forgotten
A decent pick to about this loved author his past revolving around mental asylum, black magic, drugs,his battle towards them all

[Ricarda Küper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wie zu erwarten, spannende Eindrücke in das Leben des erfolgreichen Autoren und wichtige Erkenntnisse. Allerdings ist mir das Interview-Narrativ zu inszeniert und Paulo Coelho wirkt nicht sonderlich sympathisch.

[Mattias · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it. It gave you a lot of great perspectives on life.

[Stela Idrizi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who is a big Paulo Coelho fan.

[Radwa Hatem · Rating 5 out of 5]

كتاب جاء فى موعده
إشارة -لنقل-لى
و أنا أقف على متفرق طريق

"الحياة أقصر من أن نعيشها طبقاً لل"دليل
فى نهاية الامر ، هى حياتك وحدك

لابد من إعادة قراءته أكثر من مرة فى نظرى