The Witch of Portobello

How do we find the courage to always be true to ourselves—even if we are unsure of who we are?That is the central question of international bestselling author Paulo Coelho’s profound new work, The Witch of Portobello. It is the story of a mysterious woman named Athena, told by the many who knew her well—or hardly at all. Like The Alchemist, The Witch of Portobello is the kind of story that will transform the way readers think about love, passion, joy, and sacrifice.

From the Back Cover

How do we find the courage to always be true to ourselves—even if we are unsure of who we are?The Witch of Portobello is the story of a mysterious woman named Athena, told by the many who knew her well—or hardly at all."People create a reality and then become the victims of that reality. Athena rebelled against that—and paid a high price."—Heron Ryan, journalist"Athena's great problem was that she was a woman of the twenty-second century living in the twenty-first. Did she pay a price? She certainly did. But she would have paid a still higher price if she had repressed her natural exuberance. She would have been bitter, frustrated, always saying 'I'll just sort these things out, then I'll devote myself to my dream,' always complaining 'that the conditions are never quite right'."—Deirdre O'Neil, known as EddaLike The Alchemist, The Witch of Portobello is the kind of story that will transform the way readers think about love, passion, joy, and sacrifice.

From AudioFile

Paulo Coelho does not disappoint in this story of the mysterious Athena and her quest for truth, love, and spirituality. Told through a series of interviews with at least a dozen characters, Coelhos tale is perfect for the audiobook format. This plot technique would challenge any narrator, but Rita Wolf is equal to the task. She moves seamlessly and convincingly between a British banker, a Romanian gypsy, and a holy man in the deserts of Dubai, to cite only a few of the characters. Portrayals of both genders and characters of varying ages are accomplished just as credibly. Wolfs performance and Coelhos writing combine to give the listener that rare experience in which message and medium are ideally matched. M.O.B. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

About the Author

One of the most influential writers of our time, Paulo Coelho is the author of thirty international bestsellers, including The Alchemist, Warrior of the Light, Brida, Veronika Decides to Die, and Eleven Minutes. He is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters and a United Nations Messenger of Peace. Paulo is the recipient of 115 international prizes and awards, among them, the Chevalier de l'Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur (Legion of Honor). Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1947, he soon discovered his vocation for writing. He worked as a director, theater actor, songwriter, and journalist. In 1986, a special meeting led him to make the pilgrimage to Saint James Compostela (in Spain). The Road to Santiago was not only a common pilgrimage but a turning point in his existence. A year later, he wrote The Pilgrimage, an autobiographical novel that is considered the beginning of his literary career. He lives in Geneva, Switzerland.

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