The Zahir: A Novel of Obsession Paperback – August 3, 2021

I am on my 2nd time reading this marvelous book. I have loved Mr. Coelho's books since the first one I read, "The Alchemist" and have several others. They are like old friends, and I go back and re-read them. Some I got from the library, some I have purchased, and now I am getting some old friends and some new for my tablet. Coelho's books aren't really novels in the traditional sense, at least to me. He is a marvelous "storyteller" and, as with any good story teller, he leads you into, through and around the twists and turns of the story, spilling out pearls of wisdom or giving a situation a different perspective; hence my comment about "thought provoking." Too, his stories contain moral dilemmas presented to the reader, with the reader being allowed to determine or wonder what he/she might do if faced with the same or a similar dilemma. I would highly recommend this book, particularly to anyone who is in a relationship (or ever been or wants to be) with someone who has a strong, but perhaps not obvious, spiritual bent. It does let us draw our own conclusion as to whether what sends the seeker in this story on a quest for one dear to him and the change in his perception as he rises, and sometimes slips, in attempting to fulfill his truth. And now that I've discovered his daily blog, my day isn't complete without reading it - not too long but just the lift I need for my spirits. I've not done justice to the book and others have described it better, but I couldn't go by without rating it and recommending it. Serious stuff, but not heavy! Some have said rather autobiographical; if so, I say great, he's just telling it like it is. I see no arrogance at all; conversely a successful man with humility enough to know there's more to life and love than "success."

As with all of Paulo's books, the Alchemist was a tough act to follow, but with that said I thought this was one of his better books. I find it wonderful the way he typically weaves his own life's lessons into a "fictional" story line (Of course only he knows how much is fiction and how much was real). The underlying theme of this book is "Relationship rescue", and I would recommend it to anyone who is experiencing relationship challenges. He places this story in the nightlife scene of present day Paris, and has woven in some very interesting characters from the former Soviet block countries. As always, his story captivated my interests - and once I get into it - it was hard to put down. An interesting coincidence is that I started reading his books (starting with The Pilgrimage) just prior to beginning my 500 mile hike on the El Camino de Santiago in Spain - and this one was the last one I read as I was completing that journey.

Great book, but the cover is not as pictured. This disappointed me because I was hoping it would match my copy of The Alchemist.But Paulo Coelho is amazing. His books have helped me to learn Portuguese; first reading the English version, then Portuguese.

One of the very best book I've read!!! Very insightful and provide valuable answers to some of life essential questions through this beautifully written story. Everybody will learn a thing or two by reading this book.

It is not often that I am left at a loss for what to say about a book. The Zahir has that quality that it impacts your soul without being able to describe the method. Coelho speaks of love, the freedom of love, commitment, relationships and obsession. In this way it is like many of his other works. Yet, the Zahir is different.Not all love stories are the same. Love and relationships are not like a railway track - a set of standardized sizes, headed in one direction, unchanging, without the possibility of turning. Love is everything and nothing. It is like the wind - powerful, everywhere and nowhere. Through his autobiographical novel, Coelho takes the reader to the depths of their soul to reveal the nature of love. It cannot be possessed, clung to or consigned to a personal history. It must be lived and experienced in the now. It must be freely given and received. If read with the heart opened, the book will touch you.Few books have the capacity to change a perception of such a fundamental element of life - and this one did it for me.

The author clearly put a good deal of thought and passion into this book, however it rambles along and never quiet grabbed my attention. I have not read this author before so based on the description, I was expecting a suspense/mystery. Instead, it is a spiritual, philosophical novel With a few interesting moments of insight buried in a long story.

On the tree of Paulo Coelho books this is classified as "obsession," which fits the book perfectly. It shows the reader how to deal with an obsession and how to cope with it well, in particular love obsessions. It's an epic but realistic love story, that in one way or another everybody goes through. It puts an emphasis on finding yourself, which is really important in relationships. A lot of lessons can be learned in terms of love, acceptance and self- search. It's a great read for anyone!

This is the story of a self indulgent, self obsessed man, and the emotional, spiritual and philosophical journey generated for him by the loss of his wife. The author's skill is in his ability to take us, his readers, on that journey, too. This is a story about the layers and forms and depths of love. It's also about the ways we get trapped in the superficial; how we fail to bring our full attention and appreciation to the vast, complex expansiveness of every moment and every relationship. Even though the writing / storytelling style in parts of this book were tedious, I am glad I continued reading The Zahir because the last third or quarter of the book holds some true gems -- unforgettable teaching stories.This was my first Paulo Coelho book. I am honestly not sure whether the boring, stilted dialogue in this book was intentional, a flaw of the translation, or simply writer's error.