The Witch of Portobello: A Gripping Tale of Mystery and Magic

Rkv: good book

India on Aug 15, 2023

Pauline Burnett: I spent my time reading this book, there was some parts in it I could just about relate to. However, the ending of this book came across as if the author had lost the momentum yo keep writing or as if they had not had a well organised ending. So, pretty rushed and not a witch insight. Maybe, a person with the start of mental issues like facing multi personality disorder. But no witch insight as stated.

United Kingdom on Jul 20, 2023

JEDD: Daughter enjoyed it

United States on Jul 12, 2023

Alexis S. Goins: This is my second time reading a Coehlo novel. I loved it. I didn’t love the ending but I won’t give anything away. Paulo Coehlo always takes me on a journey as if I’m sitting right there amongst the characters.

United States on May 27, 2023

Vishnu L.: I didn't like teh storyline though it started good.. The story is related to spiritual connection. But I liked the ending. I would suggest you tonread winners stand alone by the same author which was far better from this

India on Mar 29, 2023

A A: This book is amazing. Pablo Coelho is a wonderful author. He does an amazing job setting the stage with a fun and interesting plot, while also emulating the human experience.

United States on Dec 07, 2022

SidBookReviewer: THE WITCH OF PORTOBELLO BY PAULO COELHO
This is the story of Athena, struggling with broken marriage and raising a son, Viroel . Being raised by guardian she was completely unaware about her roots and blood running in her veins. She use to feel empty and void whenever her mind was at rest. One day she decided to go and meet her real mother just to fill in the blanks in her life. In this whole journey she learned many things like how music and dancing can be used to connect with that common vertex which binds us all. She learned calligraphy, perhaps another medium to come in contact with inner self. Whole book is written from perspective of people who met Athena during different stages of life. The people Athena meet are telling what conversations they had and what guidance they provided to her. Hence moving the story at perfect pace and forward. The book is gripping since page one and its unputdownable. There are so many things to learn from this book like how one can view anxiety with humor, or love can be built rather than being discovered. This book places the reader into trans like state. It's a must read book.

India on Mar 04, 2017

Marvin Smith: The Witch in question is the protagonist of the piece, but we never meet her first hand. In the beginning we are told that she was murdered. We don't know why or by whom. Each chapter is a narrative told by her friends, family, and acquaintances. They describe their relationships with her and how they were impacted by having known her. Born in Transylvania to a Romany gypsy mother and a "foreign" father after a brief affair, our heroine is given up for adoption immediately after birth. She is adopted by a Lebanese couple, the Kahlils, and they bring her to their home when Beirut had a reputation for being a glittering, vibrant city.
They name her Shirine and raise her in their Roman Catholic faith. When war breaks out in Beirut they immigrate to London and become well established. Shirine grows up and marries and has a son. The marriage ends in divorce. When she is denied communion she leaves the Catholic Church, and this is the beginning of her journey to becoming Athena, the Witch of Portobello.

Through various relationships she develops her own philosophy and belief system which is a mix of gypsy superstition, mid-eastern dervish, and wiccan beliefs. She becomes well...

United States on Mar 31, 2014

BAD: First and foremost, widely anticipated The Witch of Portobello doesn't disappoint in its overall presence. It retains Paulo's grand theme of spirituality as depicted by a leading character that goes through the journey to be able to live each own legend and fulfill each true destiny, which every now and then inspires seekers like myself. I find in Paulo's work books (this one included) that I will keep in my bookshelf to reread whenever I need a boost in my journey.

What's new in The Witch of Portobello is that rather than using the normal sort of chronological narrative, Paulo succeeds to beautifully craft many first accounts of people who have crossed Sherine Khalil's (or Athena's or Hagia Sofia's) path. Through these accounts, Sherine Khalil came to life even with the absence of Sherine's own account.

The story also has a little unexpected twist in the end too. No, I don't want to ruin it for you by telling you what the twist is. Just read the book yourself. Unlike a number of readers, I don't think that the author ends the book rather hastily by sprinting throughout the last couple of pages. And I don't question the validity of the featured ancient spiritual...

United States on Jul 04, 2007

Alison Winter: This is different in style to the Coelho books I have already read (The Alchemist, The Pilgrimage and Veronica Decides to Die) and at first I was disappointed not to have more of Paulo's voice. However, I pressed on, and I have just this minute finished - unable to put it down for the last 8 hours. His 'voice' is there all the way through - in the soul of the book.

I think it may be less 'accessible' than stories such as The Alchemist (which can be considered one big metaphor) because it is the story of a women told through those who knew her. It may also have suffered from the notoriety of its author - the expectations, etc, when it is a story that deserves attention, but not hype.

However, I wholly recommend it. As a lover of biographies I can't get enough of the stories of others. Surely the most important thing is to learn of it - whether you like it or not is almost irrelevant. This is a story that should be heard.

Come at it with an open heart. It is the story of a fascinating woman.

United Kingdom on May 04, 2007