“Eleven Minutes” is the second book by Paulo Coelho that I’ve
read. First was “The Alchemist” which I
read many years ago and that I found very philosophical and rich in
imagery. I’ve wanted to read more of
Coelho’s work since then, and I’m glad I chose “Eleven Minutes.”
It was truly lyrical and absorbing. It centered on Maria, a young Brazilian girl
who grew up in a small town and who at a young age, had her eyes opened to the
pain and disappointment of love. Still,
she dreamed idealistically and kept her hopes up for love. In search of adventure and the fulfillment of
vague but grand dreams of fame and fortune, she travelled to Switzerland where
an uncertain future awaits. There in the
land of snow, clocks, and chocolate, circumstances eventually led her to become
a prostitute. In the practice of this
profession she constantly questioned her fate, her identity, and the meaning and
connection between sex and love.
Eventually she meets an artist who insists on being able to see Maria’s “inner
light,” and the relationship that develops between them turns Maria’s world
around. What she believed of herself,
her decisions, her destiny, and her understanding of pain, pleasure, and love
will all be challenged. She must then
choose – to destroy a beautiful dream by letting it come true, or to let the
dream remain as it is, unrealized and perfect.
I love the way the story is told. It almost feels confessional, and that Maria
is talking to you personally. It also made
me deeply admire the author’s insight, sensitivity, and honesty – he spared no
punches in this book. He presented the
concept of sex and prostitution without any malice or condemnation. He was also able to delve into the female
perspective quite thoroughly (which I always find remarkable in a man) but also
gave a candid and thoughtful male viewpoint.
There are moments in the book that felt almost prayerful; times when it
felt like you were reading a history text; and even instances that were graphic
and voyeuristic. It’s amazing how the
author put it all together and came up with something so coldly thought-provoking
yet deeply emotional at the same time.
This book is not for younger readers, but is definitely worth
reading and deserving of high praise. I
almost couldn’t let go of the book once I started to read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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