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The Zahir

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The Zahir by Paulo Coelho is a novel that delves into the theme of obsession, focusing on a renowned author who embarks on a journey to find his missing wife, who has become his Zahir - an object or person that occupies his every thought. The story takes the reader on a spiritual and physical quest through various countries, exploring themes of love, spirituality, redemption, and growth. Coelho's writing style is described as captivating and insightful, providing a deep understanding of human nature and the complexities of relationships.

Characters:

The characters are complex, with the protagonist often seen as selfish and arrogant, reflecting on complex relationships and motivations.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is philosophical and reflective, incorporating inspirational passages and a somewhat repetitive prose.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around a man's obsessive search for his missing wife, prompting a deep exploration of love and self-understanding.

Setting:

The setting transitions mainly between Paris and Kazakhstan, reflecting a journey across various global locations.

Pacing:

The pacing is lengthy and drawn out, presenting challenges in maintaining engagement but has compelling moments.
I immediately come under suspicion and am detained because I refuse to say where I was on the day she disappeared. However, a prison officer has just opened the door of my cell, saying that I’m a free...

Notes:

The main character is a famous author whose wife, Esther, mysteriously disappears.
Esther is a war correspondent and her absence leaves the narrator deeply troubled.
The narrator becomes obsessed with finding his wife, whom he refers to as his Zahir, an Arabic term for something that cannot be forgotten.
Mikhail, a man claiming to be Esther's boyfriend, informs the narrator that Esther is alive but he must first embark on a journey of self-discovery before learning her whereabouts.
The narrative explores themes of obsession, love, and self-reflection.
Coelho suggests that fear from past events can prevent personal growth and happiness.
The author uses the Zahir concept to reflect on how some people become the center of our thoughts.
Many characters in the novel are seen as unconvincing, including the narrator himself, who appears selfish and arrogant.
Despite the journey taken, the ending is left quite open and unresolved.
Coelho's writing contains many spiritual and philosophical insights, making readers question their own beliefs about love and happiness.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of loss, obsession, infidelity, and existential crises.

Has Romance?

There are elements of romance present, particularly through the exploration of the protagonist's relationship with his wife and his romantic pursuits.

From The Publisher:

Set in Paris and in the enchanting landscape of central Asia, this new novel by the author of the international bestsellers The Alchemist and Eleven Minutes follows the journey of a man obsessed with finding the wife who left him without an explanation.

The narrator of The Zahir is a bestselling novelist who lives in Paris and enjoys all the privileges that money and celebrity bring. His wife of ten years, Esther, is a war correspondent who, despite her professional success and freedom from the conventional constraints of marriage, is facing an existential crisis. When she disappears along with a friend, Mikhail, who may or may not be her lover, the authorities question the narrator. Was Esther kidnapped, killed, or did she simply abandon a marriage that left her unfulfilled? The narrator doesn't have any answers but he has plenty of questions of his own.

Then one day Mikhail, the man with whom Esther was last seen, finds the narrator and promises to take him to his wife. In his attempt to recapture a love lost, the narrator discovers something unexpected about himself.

A haunting and redemptive story about the dark side of obsession, The Zahir explores its potential to both fulfill our dreams and to destroy them. It is also a thoughtful meditation on faith, celebrity, marriage - and their relationships to freedom and creativity.

Ratings (3)

Loved It (1)
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It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (9):

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Want To Read (3)
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1 comment(s)

It Was OK
3 months

***3.0***

A good read...

Happy Reading!!

 

About the Author:

Paulo Coelho, born in Rio de Janeiro in 1947, is one of the bestselling and most influential authors in the world. The Alchemist, The Pilgrimage, The Valkyries, Brida, Veronika Decides to Die, Eleven Minutes, The Zahir, The Witch of Portobello, The Winner Stands Alone, Aleph, Manuscript Found in Accra, and Adultery, among others, have sold over 175 million copies worldwide, and The Alchemist has been on the New York Times bestseller list for over 360 weeks.

Paulo Coelho has been a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters since 2002, and in 2007, he was appointed United Nations Messenger of Peace. He is also the most followed author on social media.

 
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