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El esclavo

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Un terrible accidente paraliza a nuestro protagonista dejndolo en coma por 8 meses. No se puede mover, pero se queda con el ojo abierto, viendo y escuchando como el personal medico piensa desconectarlo y vender sus rganos. Su voz interior le hace ver como ha sido esclavo del consumismo, alcohol, e idioteces que no lo dejan apreciar la vida. El Esclavo nos ensea como despertar de nuestra coma y disfrutar de la vida.

272 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2001

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About the author

Anand Dilvar

32 books37 followers

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5 stars
1,595 (34%)
4 stars
1,398 (30%)
3 stars
1,045 (22%)
2 stars
421 (9%)
1 star
186 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 449 reviews
Profile Image for Mar.
205 reviews61 followers
September 5, 2025
-Adult
-Fiction, Philosophical, Spiritual Reflection
-A young man suffers an accident and falls into a coma. From there, he begins an “inner dialogue” about his life, mistakes, ego, and all the things he took for granted. Imagine you wake up and your conscience starts roasting you, yeah well this is basically it.
-Very short read, you can finish it in one sitting.
-Pacing is fast, but not always deep. Sometimes it feels more like motivational quotes than actual storytelling. It felt a bit rushed, but I get that the plot having an actual pace isn’t necessarily the point in this book.
-The protagonist is essentially an inner voice, which makes it unique… but also a bit detached.
-No real secondary characters, it’s more of an internal journey. I mean, sure, there’s a few family members then and there but… they’re there. But they do make the read a little more emotional.
-There’s just tiny bits of romance, but it’s something that’s kinda already established? But the majority of the book is just existential musings and self-awareness.
-Standalone. Feels like reading a TED Talk disguised as a short story.
-Some messages resonated, others felt cliché. Ngl, IT ALMOST made me tear up. Which part, you will ask. I can’t remember lmao.
-A few lines stay with you, but others feel like coffee-mug quotes.
-Liked it, but it didn’t change my life. It does make a few good points but… also not at certain parts. But that’s just my perspective.
-“Humans labor under the misconception that they must have that ‘something’ to be happy. They don’t realize that they already have everything they could possibly need. They don’t realize that happiness is just a way of looking at life—a state of mind, a habit.”
Profile Image for Joe Krakovsky.
Author 6 books281 followers
January 17, 2018
I won "The Slave" in the Goodreads giveaway. Before I get anyone upset, I want to point out that I am talking about the book by Anand Dilvar. According to the bright red sign on the front it sold 1.8 million copies. Successful authors are entitled to their bragging rights, but I always try to not let that influence or cloud my judgment as I read the material. One best seller had close to 2000 'likes', mine included, for a rather caustic review on Goodreads. You can't please everybody. This was my frame of mind as I read this work.

My first Impression? "This is a small book, an easy read."

My second impression? "This is depressing and boring."

However ... Feeling obligated to read what I won, I persevered with the monumental task, whining all the way. But you know what, the more I read, the more the story drew me in. It was if I was watching a life's drama as "filmed before a live audience". They couldn't see me but I was right there with them. This usually doesn't happen with me, but for some reason this time it did.

What the story is about is this guy who got in some heated argument with his girlfriend, so he drinks and pops some pills before taking off in a car. He and his buddy get into an accident and he winds up in a coma. However to his horror he realizes that he is actually paralyzed to the point where they think he is in a coma. This gives him plenty of time to take a deeper look at life and realize what a misguided, selfish, dumbass he has been. And if that is not bad enough, he finds out his girlfriend is pregnant, but he fears that he will never see the baby as a certain nurse and doctor are planning to 'pull the plug' to harvest his organs.

I don't remember why I put this book on my list, but I am glad I did. I would highly recommend it to my Goodreads friends. 
Profile Image for Amy.
2,642 reviews2,023 followers
December 31, 2017
This book is way out of my comfort zone and not at all like anything I would normally read, but when I was approached about receiving a copy I was intrigued. It’s s short read, but it packs an almighty punch and definitely forces you to think on a deep level.

The concept is fairly simple as is the writing style, where this shines is in it’s message. An unnamed man, The Slave, is in a coma where he can’t move but he can hear, see and knows exactly what is going on around him. This could be considered a self help type of read but I think it’s much more than that. The Slave meets his spirit guide during his coma and much of it follows the guide helping him realize what is actually important in life, what truly matters. The overall message is uplifting and powerful, I can definitely see how it would speak to many people and could even encourage them to change the way they view the world. I agreed with most of the ideas and found this to be a very insightful read.
Profile Image for Kat Jauregui.
133 reviews
April 14, 2013
Con este libro me di cuenta de que no me gustan para nada los libros de superación personal.
No me gusto para nada la forma en la que esta escrito, si bien es rápida es muy pobre. Sentí que todo era un gran cliché sacado de una telenovela o de la Rosa de Guadalupe.
Profile Image for Veronika Can.
321 reviews49 followers
February 24, 2020
Ši knyga - kaip balzamas sielai.
Knygos įvertinimas labai priklauso ar tinkamu laiku ji pateko skaitytojui. Vienam knyga bus laiko švaistymas ir viskas kas rašoma joje savaime suprantama, kitam tai bus tie žodžiai, kurie reikalingi tuo metu.
Knygoje aprašoma situacija sunki, skaudi, bet tuo pačiu ir kiek joje šilumos bei vilties. Rašytojas kalba su mumis, supurto ir primena kas svarbiausia gyvenime. Man asmeniškai tai įkvėpimo knyga - viskas tavo rankose.

✒ Žmonės laikosi klaidingos nuostatos, kad laimei kažko reikia. Jie nesupranta, kad laimė - tam tikras požiūris į gyvenimą, elgesys, įprotis.
✒ Iš kur tas atkaklus noras nepaisyti to, ką turime, ir galvoti tik apie tai, ko neturime?
✒ Tu kasdien turi progą viską pradėti iš naujo.
Profile Image for Sadie Forsythe.
Author 1 book287 followers
May 25, 2018
Sooooo, I read The Slave and I rolled my eyes so hard I think I saw the back of my skull. Why do people keep publishing books telling others to accept reality and take responsibility for their own actions and emotions, while pretending this is some new ground-breaking idea? I'm pretty sure Lao Tzu said it in the 6th century (BCE). And it probably wasn't even a new idea when he decided to write it down!

The writing is stiff and there are several inconsistencies. For example, the unnamed protagonist was a John Doe at the hospital. But he was injured in a car accident at a party with people he knew. Surely someone could ID him to the paramedics. And his spirit guide was supposed to be part of himself and not know anything he didn't. But he could prompt enlightenment and teach lessons John Doe didn't know.

It was also vague on details. A hospital staff said the character was in "some sort of rigamortis." A doctor claimed his "heart stopped," instead of saying cardiac arrest or asystole. The girlfriend said she moved in with her aunt who lived "quite far from here," etc.

All in all, I found the whole thing sappy and unoriginal. It's been done better before.
Profile Image for Covarrubias Gemma.
72 reviews3 followers
November 12, 2020
Muchas reflexiones y frases que te hacen valorar tu vida. Este libro te libera de tus miedos, rencores y malos pensamientos. Te abre el panorama de todo aquello que tiene valor en la vida, que solo se vive una vez y debes valorar todo y todos los que son parte de tu vida.
5 reviews
January 11, 2012
i wish i could give this book a billion stars...this is a life changing book!
Profile Image for Justinas.
197 reviews35 followers
March 30, 2019
Perskaitę šią knygą iš pradžių sušuksite kokį nors jaustuką, pvz. "Oh, f**k!, taigi aš visą savo gyvenimą buvau veeergas, bliamba!" Tai va, šita knyga TOKIA pamokanti apie gyvenimą, kad jūs taip ir sušuksite. Duodu Justino garantiją (NOT!). Nes šita knyga apie dvasinį vedlį, apie į komą patekusį vyruką, kuris ima suprasti, kad visą savo gyvenimą buvo v-e-r-g-a-s.
O jei rimtai, tai nežinau, apie ką ši knyga, nes neskaitysiu jos iki galo.
Knygos pradžia sako "Tas, kuris dėl saugumo aukoja laisvę, nenusipelno nei laisvės, nei saugumo". Tai va, tokia ta knyga viską žinanti, kas ko vertas, kas nevertas. Kas ieško tokio mokytojo, kuris moko žodžiais, o ne savo pavyzdžiu - prašom. Šioje knygoje rasite daug protingų ir teisingų žodžių ir frazių, pvz.: "Žodis 'trauma' kilęs iš graikų kalbos ir reiškia žaizdą".
Arba: "Kai tėvas tau sakydavo, kad esi mulkis ir nieko nesugebi, tu juo tikėdavai.
- Žinoma, ne!
-Ne? Ką sau sakydavai, kai padarydavai klaidą?
- Kad aš mulkis." Plojiimai! Nuostaba. Taip mūsų veikėjas patiria vieną nušvitimą, po kito!
Profile Image for Patricia Carstairs.
189 reviews1 follower
December 9, 2013
Al principio pensé que se trataría sobre el problema de esclavitud de personas, y bueno, me equivoque por completo. No me van los libros que son una especie de 'superación personal' y este es muy distinto de los pocos que he leído, en verdad me hizo pensar.

Me quedo sin duda con estas frase (aunque hay muchas que hacen reflexinar):

Con traumas y todo, con heridas y todo, el hombre tiene la posibilidad de hacer que su vida vaya mejor o destruirse a sí mismo.
La mayoría de la gente vive en un sueño toda su vida y, lo peor de todo, que ni siquiera es un sueño agradable.
A lo único que le debes de tener miedo es a no ser tú mismo, a dejar pasar tu vida sin hacer lo que quieres.
Date cuenta que nadie lleva un registro de tus faltas, sólo tú mismo.
Profile Image for Simona.
54 reviews8 followers
October 14, 2020
O carte emotionanta despre cauzele greselilor noastre, despre traume si ce inseamna sa fii om cu bune dar si cu rele. O carte superba despre iertare si acceptare .... o carte cu multe mesaje, pe care as vrea sa o recitesc .
Profile Image for Ramon Lamadrid.
27 reviews1 follower
May 3, 2013
Es un buen libro, me enseño que tenemos pensamientos que nos esclavisan.
Lo recomiendo. Abre la mente para ver el modo en que nos obligamos a vivir.
Profile Image for Alina Nisioiu.
2 reviews
March 25, 2020
I was bored from the beginning of the book. My luck was that the book is very thin and the letters are very large.
Profile Image for Nizar Hukic.
52 reviews36 followers
April 18, 2020
Pročitao sam ovu knjigu u jednom sedenju, knjiga mi se svidela.
Pomislio sam - " Pa ovo treba svi da pročitaju , ovo baš pogađa u centar ."
Ali kada sam video komentare ljudi o ovoj knjizi shvatio sam da su je pročitali u pogrešno vreme.

Ono što želim svima je da ne robuju nikome i ničemu već da žive. Osećaj je izvanredan 🤗🥰
Profile Image for Zuzulivres.
463 reviews115 followers
May 17, 2019
Ako hodnotiť nehodnotiteľné. Keby som si kupovala slovenskú verziu, tak by som si prečítala toto: "Predali sa z nej takmer dva milióny výtlačkov a je na najlepšej ceste zaradiť sa medzi klasické duchovné práce, aké napísali William P. Young, Paulo Coelho či Eckhart Tolle." Uznajte, knihu by som si v žiadnom prípade nekúpila. Žiaľ, kupovala som si českú verziu, zaujala ma anotácia a predstavovala som si niečo úplne iné ako som dostala. Spracovať tému o tom, že všetci sme otrokmi niečoho, považujem stále za výborný nápad, ale úplne v inom románe bez patetických fráz. Všetky tie klišé donekonečna sa opakujúce frázy o tom, že máme žiť pre prítomnosť a zbaviť sa minulosti, nemyslieť na to, čo sa nám stalo, na rany, sklamania, svojich kostlivcov v skrini a neriešiť budúcnosť, nebáť sa o ňu, všetko je v našich rukách. Nemáme prahnúť po majetkov a vážiť si čo máme, lebo často túžime po niečom, čo nás šťastných neurobí, bla bla bla. Toľko krížov človek dostáva, koľko dokáže uniesť, skúšky patria k životu, bla bla bla, keď nie si spokojný v práci, vo vzťahu, v živote, osloboď sa, máš na to všetky páky, bla bla bla, všetci sme tu z nejakého dôvodu, bla bla bla...nie, nie je to pre mňa "life-changing" kniha, ako som si prečítala z komentárov, mňa uvrhla ešte do väčšej depky, akú som mala pred čítaním knihy :D Kniha víťazí v kategórii NAJHORŠIA kniha roka 2019 (neverím, že to niečo prekoná) a preberá štafetu po Daj mi tvoje meno.
Profile Image for Bruno.
248 reviews2 followers
June 22, 2017
Devorei este cartucho apenas 1 dia, uma obra pequena mas profunda!

"É um livro digno de ser lido e depois relido varias vezes".

"Quem nunca foi - ou continua a ser - um escravo de problemas, medos e culpas? "

"Liberta-te! A responsabilidade é toda tua. A tua felicidade não depende dos teus pais, da pessoa com quem estás, dos teus amigos ou do teu passado, depende apenas de ti."

"Só deves ter medo de não seres quem és, de deixares passar a vida sem fazeres o que queres, de não aproveitares esta oportunidade para te mostrares aos outros, dizeres o que pensas, partilhares o que tens."
Profile Image for Barbara Senteney.
494 reviews42 followers
December 12, 2017
I thought I would not like this book, I mean the main character is in a coma, but it was different then what I expected. Laying in bed for 9 months in a coma but being able to see what's going on and hear your family's voice and not being able to respond , must be terrifying. But there is more, so much more, a baby on the way, a wife, parents, siblings, pouring their hearts out.
The things this man overhears could turn your blood cold, but being in a coma so long teaches him forgiveness. I don't want to spoil it, so that's all you get from my review.
Profile Image for dezhdak.
19 reviews
February 27, 2023
si pudiera ponerle 0 estrellas lo haría, tenía una premisa muy buena pero terminó siendo un pendejo libro cristiano de autoayuda
Profile Image for NemNemPhoto*.
99 reviews46 followers
August 13, 2021
Net neabejoju, kad daugumai paklydusių gyvenimo sielų, ši knyga bus didis atradimas. Kitaip nepavadinsi. Nors knyga plonytė, o istorija trumpa, tačiau žodžiais čia veltui nesišvaistoma.
Istorija skaudi, tačiau su šviesa tunelio gale – Pagrindinis knygos veikėjas po avarijos nugrimzta į ilgai trunkančią komą, kurioje „kovoja“ pats su savo vidiniu balsu.

„- Kieno tu esi vergas? Skriaudų, kurias patyrei, būdamas mažas? Vaikystės traumų? O gal kas nors nusprendė, kad turi juo būti? Tavęs netenkinančių santykių? Darbo, kurio nemėgsti? Savo gyvenimo kasdienybės?“

Išsilaisvink! – taip apibūdinčiau pagrindinę knygos mintį: išlaisvinti kiekvieną mūsų iš savo vidinio kalėjimo.

Manęs asmeniškai, knyga labai nesukrėtė, joje neradau nieko nauja, ko pati nežinočiau ( nors vietomis tikrai labai įsijaučiau į šią istoriją) , tačiau tikrai nuoširdžiai tikiu,kad ši knyga padėtų į savo gyvenimą pažiūrėti kitomis akimis tiems,kurie jaučiasi pasiklydę…
Profile Image for Ugnė Lukošienė.
608 reviews15 followers
September 11, 2023
Greičiausiai kada perskaityta mano knyga. Už tai duokim žvaigždutę.
Knyga - pusę romano, pusę filosofijos apie gyvenimo prasmę. Kaip romanas - labai lėkštas, neįtikinamas, vietomis juokingas. Kaip filosofija mokanti gyventi - nebloga. Tikrai buvo gerų, stiprių pamąstymų nors kažko naujo čia nesukurta...Na už tai irgi žvaigždutė.
O pabaiga - keista, vaikiška, meksikietiška, bet visgi, buvau tikra jog pabaiga bus kitokia. Taigi, žvaigždutę dar už nenuspėjamumą 😄

O šiaip tiesa - kam patiko Dievas keliauja incognito, patiks ir ši. Aš jas vertinu kone vienodai.
Profile Image for Miruna Direa.
74 reviews5 followers
April 24, 2019
“Când nu îi mai învinuiești pe ceilalți de ceea ce ți se întâmplă, redevii puternic.”
Profile Image for Šarūnė.
170 reviews
December 20, 2019
Puikus, trumpas kūrinys apie gyvenimo ir akimirkų svarbą, kurias per dažnai pamirštame ir ignoruojame savo pačių pasirinkimu. Puikiai rekomenduota knyga tinkamu gyvenime momentu.
Profile Image for Zanda.
204 reviews1 follower
April 19, 2019
Izcila grāmata. No sirds IESAKU!

Grāmata par to, ka nekas nav labāks un skaistāks par savu dzīvi, būt dzīvam, patiesi novērtēt to un vienlaicīgi vienmēr būt brīvam no verga statusa it visā.
Grāmata, kurā blakus aizraujošai sižeta līnijai ir tik daudz vērtīgu atziņu.

Šeit dažas manā skatījumā īstenas pērles jeb atslēgas:

""Savās nelaimēs tu arvien vainoji apstākļus un citus cilvēkus. Tu biji upuris."
Nu vispār jā. Zini, mana dzīve nebija no vieglajām: ģimene vien ir ko vērts. Un turklāt man nekad neveicās.
"Ak tu mazais nabadziņš! Ar tādu domāšanu tu patiešām esi vergs - savas pagātnes, citu iegribu, apstākļu un veiksmes vergs"" (19)

"Daudzi ir pieraduši ciest un būt nelaimīgi. Turklāt tik ļoti pieraduši, ka nelaimīgumu padarījuši par savas identitātes un personības daļu. Tāpēc arī šie ļaudis vairs neprot būt priecīgi. Viņi koncentrējas uz negatīvo, aizmirstot par visām tām svētībām, ko saņem ik dienu." (64)

"Ciešanas rodas no atteiksanās pieņemt notiekošo, no domas, ka visam jānotiek citādi, proti, tā kā ES gribu" (65)

"Ārpasaulē nekas nav mainījies. Mainījusies ir vienīgi tava attieksme pret notiekošo. Tas ir cilvēku lielākais spēks: iespēja izlemt, kā reaģēt uz dzīves piespēlētajām situācijām" (65)

"Dzīve nesākas ar līdz ar tavu plānu īstenošanos vai ar kādas kārotas lietas iegūšanu. Dzīve ir tas, kas notiek šajā brīdī. ... Šajā pašā mirklī tas, ko mēs pilnībā neizprotam, tevi uztur dzīvu un ļauj redzēt, domāt, izteikties, kusēties, smieties un pat raudāt, ja vēlies!" (111)

"Neuztver dzīvi kā kaut ko pašsaprotamu. Nepierodi rītos pamosties un būt sliktā omā, garlaikots vai noraizējies. Atver acis un saki paldies par brīnumu, kas ļauj tev redzēt.Saki paldies par spēju dzirdēt putnu dziesmas un savu bērnu smieklus. Uzliec rokas uz krūtīm un sajūti spēcīgus sirdspukstus, kas tev vēsta: "Dzīvs, dzīvs, tu esi dzīvs!"" (111)

"Es zinu: dzīve nav perfekta. Tajā ir papilnam dažādu sarežģītu situāciju. Bet varbūt tādai tai ir jābūt. Varbūt tieši tāpēc tev piemīt tik daudzpusīgas spējas, lai ar to tiktu galā: asaras, lai skumtu par zaudējumu, vārdi, lai izteiktu mīlestību, rokas, lai apskautu, plaukstas, lai palīdzētu, sirds, lai saņemtu un dāvātu mīlestību, un prāts, lai izvēlētos, kā reaģēt uz visu notiekošo.
Es zinu arī to, ka tu neesi perfekts. Neviens tāds nav. Un tomēr miljoniem atšķirīgu mainīgo ir apvienojušies, lai tu varētu dzīvot. Tu esi radīts pēc apbrīnojama projekta, un tu dalies ar pārējo cilvēci gan savā spēkā, gan vājībās." (112)

Šī grāmata viennozīmīgi ir manā grāmatu topu topā ❤️
Profile Image for ChallengeGReads.
17 reviews
October 13, 2017
An absolutely stunning novel that I was fortunate enough to have an English ARC of.

Normally I don't advocate reading any novel more than once, but this is one of those rare books one should reread every year to soak in the messages that this novel brings forth.

I sit here amazed after reading this in one evening at my kitchen island. Grateful that this was translated into English so beautifully. I cried and hoped for the main character while absorbing and taking notes on all the little quotes I found inspirational and moving.

Life is a gift, and we each have a unique life force. We should not cling to the past, but accept the present while realizing the power of the mind and belief.

Cannot recommend this enough!

Profile Image for John Kaufmann.
683 reviews68 followers
August 12, 2019
A parable about freedom, choice, and responsibility. Rather than being set in some fantastical place or alternative culture, its ostensible setting is a modern hospital room. On the one hand, you almost slip into reading it as a real story rather than a parable; alternatively, it is easier to relate to because it is familiar.
Profile Image for ARQUI . LECTURA .
181 reviews30 followers
July 11, 2020
Sin duda una buen libro para cuando te sientas perdido en el camino...al menos a mi me ayudó en eso.. traté de no hacer juicios previos por ser un libro de superación.
La historia previa es muy simple. Pero el mensaje final salva la lectura.
Profile Image for Carly Patterson.
34 reviews3 followers
December 7, 2017
I don't know how anyone could give this book less than 5 stars..It was so enlightening and address the problems I'm going through with my daughter..
Profile Image for Ieva Abromavičienė.
77 reviews8 followers
May 8, 2019
Perskaičiau per akimirką. Ar patikėjau nežinau. Ar susimąsčiau? Taip.
Read in a moment. Did I believe I don't know. Did I think? YES
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