The Pilgrimage - Paulo Coelho

== A journey with Paulo Coelho ==

Today I am reviewing "The Pilgrimage", a book by the well-loved author Paulo Coelho.
This book was given to me by a friend who is a massive fan of his works.

Who is Pauloe Coelho?
Paulo Coelho was born in 1947 in Rio de Janero (Brazil) and has written quite a few
bestselling books. His works are partly autobiographic. He has recieved many awards
from 1993 up until now and his works are greatly appreciated.

Why did I read this book?
One of my best friends gave it to me, telling me that it would help me figuring out
life and overcoming tragedies and personal experiences. She said it would positively
influence me - and it really did.
I took my time reading this book as I wanted to enjoy it as much as possible.

The plot
The narrator of this book is a member of a Christian group called RAM. What they
are is never explained in clear words, but it is a Christian, spiritual and secret
group that, to some degree, practices magic and preserves tradition.
The narrator of the story seems to be at the end of a phase of RAM and is ready
to move to a higher degree. He is supposed to recieve a sword from his Master,
but in the ritual, he does not humbly refuse the sword and thuss fails.
Now he has to go the road of San Tiago in Spain to find his sword all over again
and understand the true meaning of it. He will live through this journey with a guide
who teaches him new practices of RAM, widens his personal horizon and teaches
him a lot more about faith, love and life.
The journey is described vividly and Coelho gives away his true feelings, doubts and
fears. The reader grows with him on this beautiful journey.
Paulo's encounters with his personal devil as well as getting to know his holy
messenger are very insightful and well-written. His guide, Petrus, becomes a friend
to Paulo as well as to the reader. The imagery in the book is vivig and exciting.

What the book looks like
The book has a beautiful picture of purple mountains under a light blue sky as it's cover.
In the sky, the name of the author is written in bold, white capital letters, and below
that, it says "The Pilgrimage" in smaller letters.
On the back of the book, you get a short text summarizing the book. Comments by
The Express, The Times, the Independent on Sunday and The Irish Times
are also given. They highly praise the book. The Irish Times claims that Coelho
"evokes loyalty and emotion around the world".
The back of the book continues the design of the cover.
Of course, we also get a barcode and the recommended price.
The book has 226 pages and some additional information on Coelho's other works.

Price
On Amazon.co.uk, you can get "The Pilgrimage" for £4.31 with a different cover than
my version. The recommended price on the back of the book is £7.99, which you
will most likely pay at a regular book shop.

My opinion
I really, really enjoyed this book.
I am not really Christian and although this book is about a Christian pilgrimage
path and contains many Christian references, I really found some answers to life
in it. It gives you a lot information and advice without judging and as Paulo journeys
along the road of San Tiago, you grow with him.
This book will open your mind to the things around you as well as the things deep
inside of you, no matter what religion you believe in.
The book felt almost soothing to me as we understand how much patience and
endurance you need for the journey - and the journey along the road can be seen
as a metaphor for life.
Paulo learns to solve problems and understand the deeper meaning of the things
around him.
I also think the book repesents Christianity in a very interesting and surprisingly
different way. The group of RAM seems to practice Christianity in a very open-
minded and open-hearted away, going back to it's magical and traditional roots.

Conclusion
This is defenitely a five-star read. I recommend it to every deep thinker or those
aspiring to become one! You can read this book in your living room as well as on the
beach. You will learn so much about life.
I would absolutely read it again. I like the characters and the whole story and
setting. I will defenitely try another book by Paulo Coelho - from what I have been
told, all his books are a piece of art!

5 stars without a trace of doubt!