Witch of Portobello

Paulo Coelho

I guess I am way behind the times, or you could say I am very late to the party. Whatever, I am finally enjoying the fiction of Paulo Coelho, who, unbeknownst to me has probably become the world’s most read living author. According to the book jacket of The Witch of Portobello, Coelho’s books have sold over 85 million copies in 63 languages. (I guess I am being drawn to Brazil, as both John of God and Coelho are Brazilian.)

The Witch of Portobello, is a novel unique in style and content, and almost mythic in its presentation. This is the story of Athena, named by her adoptive parents Sherine Khalil. The story is recounted by excerpting statements made in taped interviews by those who knew her. The story is fascinating, deep, and lilting. There is not much I can say because I don’t want to spoil the experience for the reader. It is a fascinating story with a very wonderful and surprising denouement. Coelho is a master of both narration and insight. I found the following quote to be particularly entrancing and I believe it gives some flavor of the writing and the wisdom: “We see the divine in each speck of dust, but that doesn’t stop us from wiping it away with a wet sponge.”

Review by Len Oppenheim

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