Title: Aleph
Author: Paulo Coelho
Pages: 320
‘Aleph,’ as described in the book is a place where time and space converge.
In this book, Paulo writes about the journey he undertook between March and July 2006.
Below is an excerpt from Paulo’s blog article about this journey, and which is the subject matter of this book:
Between March and July 2006, letting himself be guided by signs, he travelled to various continents – Europe, Africa and Asia – on a journey through time and space, through past and present, in search of himself.
The novel starts with Paulo talking to his Master about the dissatisfaction in Paulo’s life and the stagnation of his spiritual growth. As per the suggestion from his Master, Paulo sets off onto a journey starting from Africa, and then to Europe and Asia via the Trans-Siberian Railway. Most of the novel or rather the book describes about the author’s experiences during the train journey he took with his publishers and a girl whom he meets in the journey.
The girl who insists that she will join the journey with him – as Paulo soon will find out that – is Hilal whom he loved five hundred years ago in a different incarnation. What follows is a very personal account where the author talks about the relationship with Hilal in the previous incarnation. Hilal in this life is a gifted violinist. Hilal is not the actual name of the real world character, but a changed name in the novel for privacy reasons.
Initially, Hilal’s joining the journey is not appreciated by the publishers, but eventually they understand that Paulo will be accompanied by her in the entire trip. Paulo will experience The Aleph for the first time in the train looking into the eyes of Hilal and discovers the details about the past life. The relation between the author and Hilal is expalined in detail.
Another important character in the book is Yao, the translator for Paulo in the journey. There are many interesting conversations between Yao and the author.
Paulo also talks in length about love and forgiveness.
Paulo describes about a technique he uses to know about his past lives. Though the technique seems to be very easy, and Paulo learned this while reading a book on the same subject, he warns us about not using it without really knowing what we are attempting at.
If you do not believe in reincarnation and related theories, then reading this book is not a good option for you.
If you have never read Paulo Coelho before, I would say you start with his other books, either The Alchemist or The Zahir will be a good starter.
I read Pualo Coelho not for his teachings, but for the beauty of few sentences that leave a lasting impression on me. Even though the novels are translated into English, the magic of his words in few places is overwhelming. My favorite book by Paulo is The Zahir. I have read this book two times.
Personally for me, The Zahir is really good when compared to The Aleph. But both are very different in the story-line and the subject matter too.
If you believe in reincarnation and related theories, you will enjoy reading this book.
Aleph is a really good read if you are a fan of Paulo Coelho’s previous books.
28 Comments
I have read the The Alchemist . its just great. I will try to read Zahir and Aleph
Nice review
nice narration
Nice!
I wouldnt read it though.
I would read Zahir first
I read the Alchemist and I finished almost 80% of Zahir, both of them are very amazing and very touchingly.
really Paulo you are amazing, thanks a lot for these feelings and words.
Mohamed
I read Aleph. Amazing. It took me to a different world altogether.
I have read the The Alchemist.it was amazing experience. i try to read zahir and and Aleph. and at the last good review…
The author is successful in evoking ideas and feelings by triggering emotional responses and mental pictures.The characters communicate through images and symbols.Aleph is a metaphor for comprehending reality,now refers to mindfulness, and love refers to the power of faith having confidence and trust for transforming and healing,which leads one to freedom and liberation.The message is more personal and meanings are dependent on one”s perception,imagination and feelings.All the fictional characters are in harmony.
The theme of the novel is elevation,to obtain a greater power;the power to be happy right in the present moment,free from addiction,fear,despair,discrimination,anger and ignorance.The author questions if you are rich and powerful but unhappy,then what is the point of being powerful and rich..For that he advises that we should live with awareness,with the ability to truly see the world around us,as our life is often like a runaway train.He emphasizes that by cultivating our spiritual or true power and bringing mindfulness to our daily interaction,we can completely change the quality of our work and life around us.He believes that mindfulness is being fully present in the here and now,being in touch with what is going on inside us and around us.He insists on being compassionate without which one can not be happy,no matter how rich one is, as one becomes isolated and trapped within one”s own world,unable to relate to people or understand them.
He draws our attention to be more mindful to look deeply,only then one can see pain and suffering in the world and can recognize the deep desire to relieve it.By recognizing all this one can be more satisfying and happy.
please see my review of Aleph
http://sibi-cyberdiary.blogspot.com/2011/10/aleph-paulo-coelho-and-my-friend.html
i read it, good review
Read Pilgrimage, Eleven Minutes, The Alchemist and have just started with Aleph. Its very thoughtful and divine as usually.
Coelho is absolutely amazing. Reading his books has altered my perception on life, and most of all, spirituality. I have read all of his books, and I am currently reading Aleph. Just reading the first few pages of Aleph has touched my heart and soul in such an immense way. Coelho is a truly talented and gifted writer. I always dreamed of meeting Coelho at Starbucks and talk about the wonders and complexity of life. Hmmm maybe one day I will meet him.
Please read Veronica Decides To Die….paolo is awesome in narrating a story and provide some lessions at the end of his writting….
Paulo Coelho is just an amazing writer. His choice of words can spell bound anyone who z d lover of good writing. I have certainly been a very big fan of his writing since the time I read The Alchemist and then Like A Flowing River and then Veronica Decides To Die, The Winner Stands Alone and so on. I have although missed Reading Eleven Minutes and The Valkyries but I am Sure those are equally good as others.
I have been waiting eagerly for the Global Launch of Aleph in English and am really happy that it is available now. I would like to thank Mr. Paulo Coelho for enriching the taste of reading… Hope I get the book soon…
I have had the pleasure now of reading most publications Mr Coelho has written. I am on my spiritual path knowingly now for over ten years and his books have been a huge part of the process. Thank you for books and guidance when needed and I hope there are many more to come.
PEACE TO ALL!!!
Love reading Paulo’s writings….My favourites are Like the Flowing River,Brida,Alchemist,….to say love all,Deperate to read Aleph,will do it immediately and get lost in the new world…wowwwwwwwwwwwww
friends….for people who want to know who really they are THE WITCH OF PORTOBELLO is a really good one to start with……and even THE ZAHIR a good option for beautiful sentences of paulo ceolho
I have read Paulo’s The Alchemist, By the River Piedra I Sat down and Wept, The Fifth Mountain, The Witch of Portibello and just skimmed through The 11 minitues and started to read The Alaph. Alaph in syriac means ‘one’. This review gives me a good beginning.
I just read the aleph. Very moving story.
But can anyone tell me why the author felt he could have stopped the execution? By just saying no
i’d actually started with the zahir and the alchemist and i wasnt able to put the books down untill i finished reading and even then i felt really bad , for knowing that the novel finished!! i read many other books too, like by the river piedra i sat and wept , veronika decides to die and many others that made me believe Paulo Coelho IS a great writer who can get deep down to the readers hearts and provoke the feelings,, that emanates from deep within. i not only love the books but all thearti les tooooo!!!!
‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho is the best book by the author, and i hope that the Aleph would be as good as it sounds in the review.
i m reading aleph ,,really ther is the beauty of some sentences ,
i have alredy read ”the alchemist ” and ” eleven minutes”…
it was really great it is giving me a very perfect way to live my dreams
i really liked ALEPH
read Paula Coelho’s Alchemist, Eleven Minutes and Aleph theyare awesome book.. Takes us to a different world altogether..
I have read most of his books, from Alchemist, Zahir, Veronica Decides to Die, Flowing River, by the Piedra River I wept, The Devil and Miss Prim etc…. only this book “Aleph” do i find it disturbing….although I am aware of the “spiritual experience both he and Halil are undergoing… but …. nonetheless… can anyone convince me that they have not engaged in sex?
I have read alchemist, pilgrimage, winner stands alone, veronica decides to die. I consider alchemist and pilgrimage as really wonderful works of paulo coelho.
I did not encounter any of the books of Paulo Coelho but because of these review, I decided to look and have at least one of his novel. Thank you for the review… very well said.
i am really addicted with PC’s books!..i have already read “THE ALCHEMIST (for 3 times), “THE FIFTH MOUNTAIN”, “WARRIOR OF LIGHT”, “ZAHIR”and “THE PILGRIMAGE”….all were really great!…a Life-affirming stories!..thanks Paulo Coelho, for all the inspiration by your books!…i am running out of stocked with “ALEPH”, wish i could have one, soon!!!
I have read THE DEVIL AND MISS PRYM, BY THE RIVER PIEDRA I SAT DOWN AND WEPT, THE FIFTH MOUNTAIN, VERONICA DECIDES TO DIE, THE ALCHEMIST, ZAHIR & THE PILGRIMAGE.
Those books are AMAZIIIIIING !!!!!!!
Everyone should read it.
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