3.95

4

Jul 03, 2008

Onze minutos = Elf minuten = Eleven Minutes, Paulo Coelho
Eleven Minutes is a 2003 novel by Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho. Maria, a young girl from a remote village of Brazil, whose first encounters with love leave her heartbroken, goes to seek her fortune in Switzerland. She works for a time in a nightclub but soon becomes dissatisfied and after a heated discussion with her manager one night, she quits her job. She tries to become a model but is unsuccessful. Because she is running out of Onze minutos = Elf minuten = Eleven Minutes, Paulo Coelho
Eleven Minutes is a 2003 novel by Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho. Maria, a young girl from a remote village of Brazil, whose first encounters with love leave her heartbroken, goes to seek her fortune in Switzerland. She works for a time in a nightclub but soon becomes dissatisfied and after a heated discussion with her manager one night, she quits her job. She tries to become a model but is unsuccessful. Because she is running out of money, she accepts 1000 francs from an Arab man to spend the night with him. She then decides to become a prostitute and ends up in a brothel on Rue de Berne, the heart of Geneva's red-light district. There she befriends Nyah who gives her advice on her "new profession" and after learning the tricks of the trade from Milan, the brothel owner, she enters the job with her body and mind shutting all doors for love and keeps her heart open only for her diary. Quickly she becomes quite successful and famous and her colleagues begin to envy her. Months pass and Maria grows into a professionally groomed prostitute who not only relaxes her clients' minds, but also calms their souls by talking to them about their problems. Her world turns upside down when she meets Ralf, a young Swiss painter, who sees her "inner light". Maria falls in love with him immediately and begins to experience what "true love" is (according to the author, it is a sense of being for someone without actually possessing him/her). Maria is now split between her sexual fantasies and true love for Ralf. Eventually she decides that it is time for her to leave Geneva with her memory of Ralf, because she realizes that they are worlds apart. But before leaving, she decides to rekindle the dead sexual fire in Ralf and learns from him about the nature of Sacred Sex, sex which is mingled with true love and which involves the giving up of one's soul for the loved one.

عنوانها: 11 دقیقه؛ یازده دقیقه؛ نویسنده: پائولو کوئیلو؛ تاریخ نخستین خوانش: ماه جولای سال 2003 میلادی
عنوان: 11 دقیقه، نویسنده: پائولو کوئیلو؛ مترجم: آزاده تویسرکانی؛ تهران، زرین؛ 1382؛ در 328 ص؛ شایک: 9644073908؛ از ترجمه آلمانی به فارسی ترجمه شده؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان برزیلی سده 21 م
عنوان: یازده دقیقه، نویسنده: پائولو کوئیلو؛ مترجم: شهرزاد فتوحی؛ تهران، کتابسرای نیک؛ 1383؛ در 264 ص؛ چاپ دیگر: تهران، پوینده، 1387؛ در 130 ص؛ شابک: 9789642950140؛
عنوان: یازده دقیقه، نویسنده: پائولو کوئیلو؛ مترجم: کیومرث پارسای؛ مشهد، نی نگار 1385؛ در 303 ص؛ شابک: 9642617021؛

ماریا، دختری برزیلی، از شهری کوچک است. او نیز همانند همه آدمها پاک به دنیا آمد، و در ابتدای نوجوانی، مرد زندگی خود را، در رویاهای خود، به صورت مردی ثروتمند، و خوش قیافه، و باهوش و...؛ تجسم میکرد. او تا زمانیکه که این شاهزاده ی رویاها، سوار بر اسب سفید بیاید، کاری جز خیالپردازی نداشت. در یازده سالگی، عاشق همکلاسی خود میشود، اما در فرصتیکه به دستش آمد، سر صحبت را باز نکرد، و زمانیکه خود را آماده گفتگو نمود، آن پسر از آن شهر، به جایی دور میرود، و بدین ترتیب یاد گرفت، که انسانهای محبوب، و مورد علاقه، سرانجام میروند. در پانزده سالگی دوباره عاشق پسری میشود، و اینبار اشتباه پیشین را تکرار نمیکند و ...؛ اما به دلیل بی تجربگی! آن پسر نیز، او را تنها میگذارد. به فکر پناه بردن به صومعه میافتد، و میخواهد همه ی زندگی خود را، وقف عشقی کند، که نه زخم میزند، و نه داغ بر دل میگذارد، عشق به مسیح! پس از آشنایی بیشتر با اندام خویش، و تناقض آن با آموزشهای کلیسا، زندگی مذهبی را ترک میکند. در یکی از تجربه های بعدی خویش در حالیکه از باکره ماندن، در میان سایر دوستانش خسته و نگران است، خود را تسلیم میکد، در حالیکه هیچ احساسی، در این رابطه هم نبود، این تجارب، او را به این نتیجه رساند، که مردان چیزی جز درد، ناراحتی، رنج و ناامیدی، برایش به ارمغان نمیآورند. همچنین علیرغم اینکه، همه جا و همه کس، القا میکنند، که بخش مهمی از زندگی یک زن را، یک مرد شکل میدهد، او هرگز نفهمید ارتباط با جنس مخالف چه لذتی دارد. او پس از پایان دبیرستان، در مغازه ای آغاز به کار میکند، صاحب مغازه عاشق اوست، اما تجارب او، به اندازه ای است، که نگذارد از او سوء استفاده شود. زمانیکه «ماریا» برای گذراندن تعطیلات، به ریودوژانیرو میرود، در ساحل کوپاکابانا، با مردی سوییسی روبرو میشود، که این مرد به او پیشنهاد کار در سوییس میدهد. کار در یک کاباره، به عنوان رقاصه، و ورود به دنیای هنر! با درآمدی مناسب و...؛ «ماریا» تصمیم میگیرد، که مسیر زندگی خود را اینچنین تغییر دهد. او پس از ورود به «ژنو» و مدتی کار در کاباره، متوجه میشود، که حقوق او، با کسورات قانونی قابل توجه، معادل یک دهم مبلغ وعده داده شده است! و تازه پس از آن نیز، به دلیل اینکه یک روز سر کار خود، حاضر نمیشود (به دلیل گردش با دوستی عرب)، از کار خود اخراج میشود. او پس از مدتی بیکاری، و هزینه کردن پس انداز خویش، و گشتن دنبال کار به عنوان مانکن و...؛ نهایتاٌ بالاجبار یا با اختیار، به کار روسپیگری میپردازد، و تصمیم میگیرد که آنکار را به مدت محدودی (یک سال) انجام دهد، تا بتواند با اندوخته ی خود، خانه ای برای خانواده، و مزرعه ای نیز در «برزیل» بخرد، و به وطن بازگردد....؛ موضوع داستان البته به خودی خود جنجالی است، و جالب توجه؛ اما نخستین نکته ای که خوانشگر را تحت تاثیر قرار میدهد، آن است، که «ماریا» یک فرد ویژه است: او به کتابخانه میرود، و کتاب میخواند، و کوشش میکند، تا آموخته هایش را گسترش دهد. یادمانهای خود را مینویسد، و مدام در حال تجزیه و تحلیل شرایط خویش است. قلمش نیز زیباست. ...؛ نقل از متن: من دو زن هستم: یکی که میل دارد همه ی شادیها، عشقها و همه ی ماجراهای زندگی را داشته باشد، دیگری میخواهد برده ی روزانه، برده ی زندگی خانوادگی، و برده ی چیزهائی که برنامه ریزی میشوند، باشد. پایان نقل از متن کتاب. ا. شربیانی ...more

1

Nov 05, 2012

So while living in Switzerland, I had this book recommended, nay practically forced upon me by a male acquaintance (the book was put into my hands at a party and he told me that I should borrow it). Not having read anything by Coelho previously, though with a vague remembrance of my high school teacher violently hating the guy, I set about politely reading it.

Imagine my surprise when I found out that the book was about an immigrant sex worker in Switzerland. It made me more than a little So while living in Switzerland, I had this book recommended, nay practically forced upon me by a male acquaintance (the book was put into my hands at a party and he told me that I should borrow it). Not having read anything by Coelho previously, though with a vague remembrance of my high school teacher violently hating the guy, I set about politely reading it.

Imagine my surprise when I found out that the book was about an immigrant sex worker in Switzerland. It made me more than a little uncomfortable, not because I have anything against sex workers, but because I was also an immigrant living in Switzerland and I was in fact looking for a new job at the moment, and this guy knew that, and well, it wasn't really what I had in mind.

I'm guessing (or hoping) that my friend's intrigue was with Coelho's general pseudo-philosophy and that's why he recommended it. I'm hoping that he wasn't really fascinated and wanting to discuss the plot. The lovely plot of how Maria, the sex worker, has to choose between two of her millionaire clients; one who's a sadistic bad boy and one who is more into delayed sexual gratification (or even abstinence if I remember correctly) but kind of complicated and hard to get close.

The reason for posting this review now, besides being reminded of it while I was reviewing a streak of horrible books, is that I suddenly realised that there was actually already a BDSM-story from a very popular author way before Fifty Shades of Grey. Or rather, from what I've read about Fifty Shades, it's about BDSM only while suggesting that anyone who's into it is really a depraved lunatic.

In the end of this book (spoiler!) Maria denounces her previous wicked BDSM-ways and chooses the right man! Yay! (Urgh.) I'm actually thinking about writing an analysis on the whole phenomenon of writing detailed descriptions about BDSM, while at the same time denouncing it. It is really about trying to have the cake and eating it at the same time.

I might include Cosmopolis by Don DeLillo in that analysis as well after reading a bit about it and seeing the following quote from that book :

"My mood shifts and bends. But when I'm alive and heightened, I'm super-acute. Do you know what I see when I look at you? I see a woman who wants to live shamelessly in her body. Tell me this is not the truth. You want to follow your body into idleness and fleshiness. That's why you have to run, to escape the drift of your basic nature. ...What do I see? Something lazy, sexy and insatiable."

They "[reach] completion more or less together, touching neither each other nor themselves."

First of all the writing style remind me of the previous two authors. But also: what is it with these people (Coelho, James and DeLillo) and writing about young millionaires with a 'depraved' badly written sex lives? Seriously, why are people buying into this? Is this the ultimate wish fullfillment for both genders: the men can imagine they are rich young millionaires having sex with willing sex dolls and the women that they get the bad boy with an unlimited credit card? I really think better of people in general, but of course with the way mainstream media looks, these types of fantasies are only the logical conclusion of more subtle versions on the same theme.

One last thing. The most enjoyable experience when reviewing this book came when reading the five star reviews of it and read this:

“How can he articulate so many nuggets of wisdom, often through characters the writing of which expresses the irony and profundity of their insights, and yet packaged in stories with such cliche outcomes?!?!”

If even your biggest fans think your writing is cliché, maybe you might want to reconsider your writing style. ...more

2

Apr 02, 2007

I didn't find this nearly as good as The Alchemist. I do not know if Coelho was trying to really get in the mindset of a woman by over-analyzing sex, but I felt a real woman would be less philosophical and more emotional about her experiences. It seemed to me that she was detached from herself and no matter what shocking things would come her way, she would still never be phased by it and I just felt it was too dehumanized. Philosophical rampages on love and being the mother and friend to her I didn't find this nearly as good as The Alchemist. I do not know if Coelho was trying to really get in the mindset of a woman by over-analyzing sex, but I felt a real woman would be less philosophical and more emotional about her experiences. It seemed to me that she was detached from herself and no matter what shocking things would come her way, she would still never be phased by it and I just felt it was too dehumanized. Philosophical rampages on love and being the mother and friend to her clients turned me off entirely to this book. Don't get me wrong, Coelho is an eloquent and gifted writer, I just did not find this book as enjoyable as his other works. ...more

5

Aug 25, 2007

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I'm giving this book five stars because I definitely thought it was amazing. BUT ... like every other Coelho book I've read, it let me down in the end.

How can he articulate so many nuggets of wisdom, often through characters the writing of which expresses the irony and profundity of their insights, and yet packaged in stories with such cliche outcomes?!?! So many of his books explore the ephermerality of love, the moment, the permanence of change, the fleetingness of forever... and yet, his I'm giving this book five stars because I definitely thought it was amazing. BUT ... like every other Coelho book I've read, it let me down in the end.

How can he articulate so many nuggets of wisdom, often through characters the writing of which expresses the irony and profundity of their insights, and yet packaged in stories with such cliche outcomes?!?! So many of his books explore the ephermerality of love, the moment, the permanence of change, the fleetingness of forever... and yet, his characters always seem to end up living "happily ever after."

This one was about my favorite topic(s): sex, pain and suffering, pleasure, enthrallment, identity; the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves ("trust me, I'm telling you stories"), the rationalization of emotion and spiritualization of the mundane--Hey: the mystery of life.

Maria--a prostitute--is exposed to an evening of sado-masochistic role play with a "special client" and finds freedom from herself and her desires during orgasm, tied up and whipped. Then another lover (another "special client") convinces her to not to go down that path, that freedom can be found testing the limits of desire, not the limits of pain. They have their own little role play--their relationship is based as much on fantasy as the other. After a night of bliss, she leaves him to go back to Brazil, cherishing the memory that can be spoiled by "real life."

But, then he intercepts her in Paris with roses (it was their destiny! ick) and they live happily ever after.


So, to sum up (as E just pointed out): The dirty parts I liked. The ending, not so much.

That's my review. Happy reading. ...more

1

Oct 29, 2016

Reluctantly admit to having read this subterranean book, and there is absolutely no excuse, as I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER, after The Alchemist. I only remembered having read it because I was trying to find something on my top shelf (the one with the "Let's forget I own them"-books), and it fell into my hands. A quick scan of its content reminded me that even quick scans are a waste of time when it comes to Coelho. Note to self: until I find the company of sheep more educating than reading, his Reluctantly admit to having read this subterranean book, and there is absolutely no excuse, as I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER, after The Alchemist. I only remembered having read it because I was trying to find something on my top shelf (the one with the "Let's forget I own them"-books), and it fell into my hands. A quick scan of its content reminded me that even quick scans are a waste of time when it comes to Coelho. Note to self: until I find the company of sheep more educating than reading, his "novels" are a no-go-area.

Too harsh? Maybe. Am in a bad mood, as I can't find the book I really want to read!

Sorry. Eleven minutes review over. ...more

4

Oct 16, 2007

In comparison to my experiences with his other pieces. I can confidently say that this Paulo Cohelo work tests the reader in a unique and dangerous way.

Each of his novels teach valuable lessons for adults through the interesting happenings of his protagonists. This story does the same. However the lesson taught borders on relationship counseling and sexual education. It was just as compelling and effective as it was uncomfortable. Uncomfortable in the sense that the information being learned as In comparison to my experiences with his other pieces. I can confidently say that this Paulo Cohelo work tests the reader in a unique and dangerous way.

Each of his novels teach valuable lessons for adults through the interesting happenings of his protagonists. This story does the same. However the lesson taught borders on relationship counseling and sexual education. It was just as compelling and effective as it was uncomfortable. Uncomfortable in the sense that the information being learned as one reads each chapter is not theirs to have. He accomplishes this through the less than innovative approach of journal or diary entries, but envertheless, it is striking how moving it is to read the sexual and romantic discoveries of a conventional young lady.

A book that is difficult to put down. A must-read for many, but especially those who have not yet discoveredy what makes them tick, oo and ahhh. Again, an inspiration! ...more

1

Jul 29, 2007

I was burnt by his book titled "Veronica decides to die". When I flipped through his bestseller, "The Alchemist", I was not too impressed either. I thought he was too "Celestine Prophecy". When I asked people what "The Alchemist' was all about, they always said it was about searching for something. But they could never be able to explain what that something was and they quickly moved on to rave about how inspirational the book was. How you can say searching for something you don't even know I was burnt by his book titled "Veronica decides to die". When I flipped through his bestseller, "The Alchemist", I was not too impressed either. I thought he was too "Celestine Prophecy". When I asked people what "The Alchemist' was all about, they always said it was about searching for something. But they could never be able to explain what that something was and they quickly moved on to rave about how inspirational the book was. How you can say searching for something you don't even know inspirational is beyond me. I'm too dumb for stuffs like that.

Anyway, I picked up this book in Freiburg's train station while waiting for our train to Titisee. I remembered wrongly that this was the book that Cindy raved about. Having read her review, I wanted to give Paulo Coelho a second chance.

The book is about Maria, a young Brazilian girl who comes from a poor family, dreams of fairy tales and ends up as a prostitute in Geneva. Apparently, this is based on a true story. That's the first mistake. The idea is not unique but I suppose variations can be spun into interesting stories. However, he fails to marry his philosophical style with this true story with a fixed ending, which, to do it successfully, I'm sure must be extremely difficult.

The first few chapters outlining the life of little Maria are engaging enough. I couldn't put the book down at this stage. Once she gets to Switzerland, the lecturing, dreamy, philosophical style that I dislike starts. Maria is no ordinary prostitute. She is beautiful as well as smart (Yawn). She first attempts to justify her reasons or anybody's reasons to be a prostitute. Before that is concluded, she moves on to find a rich and young and handsome painter who worships her (Snore). At the same time, she is tempted into masochism by a rich (again) and famous music producer who is disappointed by his wife's infidelity. She must choose between these two! That is essentially the story. In between the story about Maria, the author inserts graphic descriptions of various sexual acts, sex education, which sometimes read like a newspaper's sex column (ejaculation is not the same as sex, please!), and historical information (the history of prostitution complete with years marking civilization. Pah!).

I also note a few exaggerations in this book. One I cannot stand is this. He describes that the loneliest people are the top executives, commanding lots of money and respect and having great families, when asked to change jobs by head hunters. The reasons? Because this executive cannot talk to his colleagues as they wouldn't let them go (This is misleading. It highly depends on situation) and he can't talk to his family because the wife, who knows nothing about taking risk, wouldn't let him. HELLO?? Despite his attempt to be sophisticated and deep, this is very shallow indeed.

I wrote the review when I was about 3/4 into the story. Toward the end, her struggle between staying in Geneva or going back to Brazil is slow and painfully dotted with unnecessary pretentious and meaningless analysis of love, sex, women, men, the universe, and the rubbish. After reading the ending, I was further disappointed and decided to downgrade the rating by one more star.

The story can be interesting but it has to be done strictly as a biography, as a story-telling.

This book sorts of seals my dislike of his writings. I dislike the content, I dislike the style. I dislike his empty philosophies. I don't know what to learn from his books. Maybe that's because I don't care to interpret. But shouldn't good writings do not require people to interpret their messages but ponder on the contents? Having said that, try and read it especially if you are a fan. You may beg to differ. ...more

3

Oct 03, 2015

All you need to know for picking this book.

“At every moment of our lives, we all have one foot in a fairy tale and the other in the abyss.”

“While she was waiting for her Prince Charming to appear, all she could do was dream.”

“She had to content herself with loving and suffering in silence until the end.”

“When we meet someone and fall in love, we have a sense that the whole universe is on our side. And yet if something goes wrong, there is nothing left! How is it possible for the All you need to know for picking this book.

“At every moment of our lives, we all have one foot in a fairy tale and the other in the abyss.”

“While she was waiting for her Prince Charming to appear, all she could do was dream.”

“She had to content herself with loving and suffering in silence until the end.”

“When we meet someone and fall in love, we have a sense that the whole universe is on our side. And yet if something goes wrong, there is nothing left! How is it possible for the beauty that was there only minutes before to vanish so quickly? Life moves very fast. It rushes from heaven to hell in a matter of seconds.”

“…but something always went wrong, and the relationship would end precisely at the moment when she was sure that this was the person with whom she wanted to spend the rest of her life. After a long time, she came to the conclusion that men brought only pain, frustration, suffering and a sense of time dragging.”

“I can choose either to be a victim of the world or an adventurer in search of treasure. It’s all a question of how I view my life.”

“(Don’t) listen to the malicious comments of those friends who, never taking any risks themselves, can only see other people’s failures.”

“If I can walk on my own, I can go wherever I like.”

“Life always waits for some crisis to occur before revealing itself at its most brilliant.” ...more

5

Feb 19, 2010

Book Review

Once upon a time, there was a bird. He was adorned with two perfect wings and with glossy, colorful, marvelous feathers. In short, he was a creature made to fly about freely in the sky, bringing joy to everyone who saw him.

One day, a woman saw this bird and fell in love with him. She watched his flight, her mouth wide in amazement, her heart pounding, her eyes shining with excitement. She invited the bird to fly with her, and the two traveled across the sky in perfect harmony. She Book Review

Once upon a time, there was a bird. He was adorned with two perfect wings and with glossy, colorful, marvelous feathers. In short, he was a creature made to fly about freely in the sky, bringing joy to everyone who saw him.

One day, a woman saw this bird and fell in love with him. She watched his flight, her mouth wide in amazement, her heart pounding, her eyes shining with excitement. She invited the bird to fly with her, and the two traveled across the sky in perfect harmony. She admired and venerated and celebrated that bird.

But then she thought: He might want to visit far-off mountains! And she was afraid, afraid that she would never feel the same way about any other bird. And she felt envy, envy for the bird's ability to fly.

And she felt alone.

And she thought: "I'm going to set a trap. The next time the bird appears, he will never leave again."

The bird who was also in love, returned the following day, fell into the trap and was put in a cage.

She looked at the bird everyday. There he was, the object of her passion, and she showed him to her friends, who said: "Now you have everything you could possibly want." However, a strange transformation began to take place: now that she had the bird and no longer needed to woo him, she began to lose interest. The bird, unable to fly and express the true meaning of his life, began to waste away and his feathers to lose their gloss; he grew ugly; and the woman no longer paid him any attention, except by feeding him and cleaning out his cage.

One day, the bird died. The woman felt terribly sad and spent all her time thinking about him But she did not remember the cage, she thought only of the day when she had seen him for the first time, flying contentedly amongst the clouds.

If she had looked more deeply into herself, she would have realized that what had thrilled her about the bird was his freedom, the energy of his wings in motion, not his physical body.

Without the bird, her life too lost all meaning, and Death came knocking at her door. "Why have you come?" she asked Death. "So that you can fly once more with him across the sky," Death replied. "If you had allowed him to come and go, you would have loved and admired him even more; alas, you now need me in order to find him again."

So now I think that passage from the book already ate up my review so I'll just add some extra things.

First: As expected from Paulo Coelho this is another philosophical somewhat self-help, inspirational novel. This book was actually dedicated to a fan named Maurice Gravelines and Coelho met this guy unintentionally when he visited the Grotto in Lourdes. When they met the guy was like "You know, you look just like Paulo Coelho." And then Coelho said that yeah it was really him. And then the guy embraced him and he said to Coelho that, "They(Coelho's books) make me dream." I think that pretty sum up what kind of books Coelho's are.

Second: This book actually talks a lot about sex so I really recommend this book to adult readers, 18 years old and above. The novel has some masturbation scenes, BDSM, a blowjob scene etc. It just talks a lot about orgasm and in the other hand it also talks about the sacredness of sex and some history of prostitution blah blah blah. So really, adult readers or if you're sensitive about sex or anything about it maybe this book is not for you.

Third: My only complain about this book is that...there's actually a Filipino character in this book and she's a prostitute in the book and she's Maria's friend. My only problem about her is her name which is Nyah. I just really find her name weird and not very quote and quote Filipino. Maybe the author did not have time to research on it but the common names of Filipinos are similar to Spanish names and American names so I just really find it odd that her name's Nyah since it doesn't sound like a Filipino name. Maybe he could just name that character Juana or Ana or Susan but to name her Nyah, it was just odd. *shoulder shrug*

Thoughts before Reading

Finally this has been available in our library. So many people have been borrowing it, and when I go to the libray its always unavailable. Now it's my time to read it and I'm so excited since one of my classmate really like it and he said that this is his most favorite Coelho book. I'm curious to know why. ...more

5

Jul 08, 2011

I haven't read any of his works before, a friend told me that "Eleven Minutes" is very good, a story of finding true love and where sex should play part in the search for it but without a sense of vulgarism in the plot. Other friend told me that it is Paulo Coelho at his best. So I decided to borrow the book from the bookshop where I work and read it all the way till the last page. And I have to say both of my friend is right, this book is so good to read. It talks more than just finding true I haven't read any of his works before, a friend told me that "Eleven Minutes" is very good, a story of finding true love and where sex should play part in the search for it but without a sense of vulgarism in the plot. Other friend told me that it is Paulo Coelho at his best. So I decided to borrow the book from the bookshop where I work and read it all the way till the last page. And I have to say both of my friend is right, this book is so good to read. It talks more than just finding true love and sex, for me it's more about searching and understanding yourself where at the end you'll find true compatible feeling in loving someone.

So many quotable lines, if the book is mine I'm sure I've mark most of the pages. I think I need to buy one and put it in my bookshelf. One day, I'll make "that someone" read this book, this book is a must read book for any couple who want to understand each other better. ...more

4

Apr 10, 2016

Eleven Minutes is a story about a young girl who is a prostitute by profession and is trying to learn and find the mysteries of the pleasure of the world.

Finding it in a spiritual way was her purpose.

I adored Eleven Minutes instantly.

Thank You Rashmi for getting this book available for me. :*

2

Aug 24, 2008

Some of my friends were raving about Coelho's "The Alchemist"; however, my first encounter with his writing is this book. I'm a little bit disappointed, though, because I expected more.

My friends said that Coelho writes simple topics but with philosophies that could give new meanings on the subject--and some enhancement to the readers. I do agree on the philosophical thingy, but for my point of view, it doesn't quite fit in this book.

Maria, the prostitute who became the main character in this Some of my friends were raving about Coelho's "The Alchemist"; however, my first encounter with his writing is this book. I'm a little bit disappointed, though, because I expected more.

My friends said that Coelho writes simple topics but with philosophies that could give new meanings on the subject--and some enhancement to the readers. I do agree on the philosophical thingy, but for my point of view, it doesn't quite fit in this book.

Maria, the prostitute who became the main character in this book, is too sophisticated--way too sophisticated and too philosophical to the point of sounding false. Although the first part was engaging enough when Coelho describing Maria's desperate life in the small village in Brazil, he became too preachy when he started to explain the reasons of why Maria finally ended up being a prostitute, with the many false justifications on the many things she decided or thought of, including on the spiritual side.

I could just say that Coelho did a fine research, though, on the sexual subject. ...more

2

Jul 30, 2019

2.5/5
I don't know if this book was meaningless or I just didn't get the point. was it trying to say BDSM is a way to get close to GOD? was it trying to say being a prostitute is holy? was it trying to say true love is always waiting for you with The Light?
I have absolutely no idea
expected more from Paulo Coelho

1

May 20, 2019

Warning, this is a rant.
.
Sometimes a writer thinks that he's flowing with genius and ideas, and that merely basing a story on a real life event would create a masterpiece. well, i thinks it's time they stopped doing it and people stopped canonizing unworthy so-called writers.
this is the second book of Coelho that i've read and it hadn't fail me in disappointment. Obviously, from his afterword, it's evident he's thinking he's doing something earth-shattering and ground-breaking by writing about Warning, this is a rant.
.
Sometimes a writer thinks that he's flowing with genius and ideas, and that merely basing a story on a real life event would create a masterpiece. well, i thinks it's time they stopped doing it and people stopped canonizing unworthy so-called writers.
this is the second book of Coelho that i've read and it hadn't fail me in disappointment. Obviously, from his afterword, it's evident he's thinking he's doing something earth-shattering and ground-breaking by writing about sex and prostitution.... but you know what dude? Marquis de Sade had written about it wayyyyy before you were conceived and it's called libertine literature. and he had the bravery to portray it as real as it was, and not put on a spiritual spin on it as you did.
this book was a complete waste of time and i should have dropped it but i didn't want to add one more to my rising pile, so i bit down my anger and finished it.
the fact that he wrote it as if he was a woman and he could understand women angered me beyond my limit. there's no realism in this book whatsoever, like no mention of a week off cuz of monthly period.
it was a basic trope, falling in love with a prostitute, as Shakespeare did, and so many other unfortunate men, and the story of the whore's redemption and regaining her "light".
what a load of crap!
i should have put this book down when i saw it was opening with scripture. -____- ...more

3

May 09, 2010

I wouldn't recommend this book to just anyone because of it' explicit sexual content. It's about a young women who falls in love and then is heart broken over and over again every time she falls in love. So she decided not to fall in love. She becomes a prostitute and makes good money and never falls in love with any of her clients. She finally meets an artist that is drawn to her, he knows what she does and yet wants her to teach him to find love again. They discover it together. It has a happy I wouldn't recommend this book to just anyone because of it' explicit sexual content. It's about a young women who falls in love and then is heart broken over and over again every time she falls in love. So she decided not to fall in love. She becomes a prostitute and makes good money and never falls in love with any of her clients. She finally meets an artist that is drawn to her, he knows what she does and yet wants her to teach him to find love again. They discover it together. It has a happy ending but, it's not the type of story you hear about. It's based on true events. There is one part in the book that I particularly liked, "I have reached the conclusion that sex has come to be used as some kind of drug: in order to escape reality, to forget about problems, to relax. And like all drugs, this is a harmful and destructive practice. If a person wants to take drugs, in the form of sex or whatever, that's their problem; the consequences of their actions will be better or worse depending on the choices they make. But if we are talking in terms of making progress in life, we must understand that 'good enough' is very different from 'best.'" I think in today's world sex is getting to familiar with all of us. We need to make it sacred again. ...more

5

Jun 24, 2007

Coelho Definately, knows about life!
This book is a story about Maria, a young girl who's really not settle for being just ordinary country girl. Her jouney begins when one day she went for vacation to Rio Da Janero (wow, she live in the same country as Coelho!!)and a stranger offered her fo working abroad as a dancer. Her life changed on the day she accept the offer. And from the very begining until the end of the book readers could see how life can turn out very unexpectedly. You think you
Coelho Definately, knows about life!
This book is a story about Maria, a young girl who's really not settle for being just ordinary country girl. Her jouney begins when one day she went for vacation to Rio Da Janero (wow, she live in the same country as Coelho!!)and a stranger offered her fo working abroad as a dancer. Her life changed on the day she accept the offer. And from the very begining until the end of the book readers could see how life can turn out very unexpectedly. You think you could figure out about everything but actually you cannot control your own destiny. After feeling betrayed by her first love Maria decided not to have room for love in her live.
" Love is a terrible thing that will make you suffer..."
She learn to life day by day by bulding hersef a cage which she could not escape to love. However, her life change after meeting the so-not-like-Switserland man painter, name Ralf. Ralf made her questioning what she really want out of life, and explore the pain of being in love, the kind of emotion which she tried to avoid since long time ago. Discovering Ralf makes Maria discovering about herself.
Coelo did a very find for readears to reflect about themsleves from the writing of Maria's diary. So somehow, by reading about Maria's story the readers find their own insight(s) also.
I don't know why, as if being lead to find answer for my confusion of life, I always end up with Coelho!
I read this book during crysis, I was very weary, living my myself, so desperately needed to know how everything will end. Afraid to make the wrong decisions.....
After reading this book, I feel much insipired, that everyone has their own faith, no matter what you do don't be affraid, because you are walking to the road which faith has draw for you. ...more

4

Apr 25, 2007

Though it takes a somewhat strange act to get her there, this is the story of Maria, who finds herself in Europe, in desperate need of money, so she turns to prostitution.

She ends up having intense relationships with two men: One, a special client of the cafe she works out of, who has an affinity for S&M and teaches her all about it. The other is man who she meets outside of work (I forget how she meets him...) and falls in love with. She doesn't really struggle with choosing between them Though it takes a somewhat strange act to get her there, this is the story of Maria, who finds herself in Europe, in desperate need of money, so she turns to prostitution.

She ends up having intense relationships with two men: One, a special client of the cafe she works out of, who has an affinity for S&M and teaches her all about it. The other is man who she meets outside of work (I forget how she meets him...) and falls in love with. She doesn't really struggle with choosing between them (after all, one she sees for work, the other by choice), but it's more about her learning about the various forms of love, and particularly the role of intimacy.

It's interesting to peer into two worlds of sexuality that, I'm sure, plenty people are curious about but know little of (prostitution, S&M). I'm not sure if Coelho actually interviewed, knows, talked to people who were involved in lots of prostitution and/or S&M, but it feels like a pretty realistic interpretation, so I give him kudos for that.

I'm not sure why this is on the "Worst Books of All Time" list - WTF?

Original review:
Ever wonder how anyone could live through prostitution? Or get into s&m? This book answers those questions. It's a fascinating character study about sex in relation to relationships, and just an overall interesting story about people and their various desires. It's also, luckily, on par with Paulo Coelho's high standards of writing, and a fun, quick read. Definitely my favorite of his thus far. ...more

2

Aug 23, 2017

The universe only makes sense when we have someone to share our feelings with ..

5

Oct 15, 2019

Follow Just A Girl High On Books for more reviews.

"Human beings can withstand a week without water, two weeks without food, many years of homelessness but not loneliness. It is the worst of all tortures, the worst of all sufferings."

This is my second time reading Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho and its charm hadn't been lost. The first time I picked this book was a couple of years ago. I had loved it back then and I loved it this time, too.

The thing about Eleven Minutes that fails to amuse most Follow Just A Girl High On Books for more reviews.

"Human beings can withstand a week without water, two weeks without food, many years of homelessness but not loneliness. It is the worst of all tortures, the worst of all sufferings."

This is my second time reading Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho and its charm hadn't been lost. The first time I picked this book was a couple of years ago. I had loved it back then and I loved it this time, too.

The thing about Eleven Minutes that fails to amuse most of its readers is that it is the story of a prostitute. Don't worry, there are no details given that might make you uncomfortable. It's just that the story is of a prostitute finding the love of her life in one of the most unconventional ways. People think it's all about sex when actually, it isn't. If you follow Maria's journey as she navigates through her life, then you'll realize that what she is searching for, isn't sex. She doesn't even care about it. In fact, the fact that she is being paid for her those eleven minutes doesn't even bother her. It is a tool for earning her livelihood, just the way other people use their minds to earn theirs. The thing that makes her so special then, is how she is searching for that sacredness of sex, how she is searching to find true love, and how, she is probably one of the only few people alive on this earth who doesn't need sex to express her love. People are crazy about it but all Maria wants is to get away with it. And when she does find her love, you'll notice that she doesn't have sex with him until it is time for her to say goodbye to him.

So you see, this book isn't really about that. Instead, it is about something much more magical, something much more sacred. It is the journey of finding one's own self while also discovering what truly matters to her.

At the same time, it is necessary to note that this book is actually based on a real person's experience. The experiences aren't all hers but many of them are inspired by her. So this is Coelho trying to understand the mindset of such a person, nay such a woman, and seek solace from the way that woman held herself. I believe it was a bold move on Coelho's part and any less effort put into this book would have made it highly hard to read. The fact then, that this book made a lot of sense to me, as a person, means a lot to me.

So Eleven Minutes is definitely the story of a prostitute, but along with that, it is also the story of a woman, of love and sex and of dreams and aspirations, of heartbreak and loss and of course, of life. This is the story of life, and probably a rather blunt one at that.

Lastly, the only other thing I'd like to add is that it does contain some sexual content. So do not pick it up if you aren't ready to read through those details as well. ...more

3

Sep 22, 2012

This is the first book I have ever read by Paulo Coelho - and certainly the last one. My rating is 2.5/5, because it had the ability not to make me yawn too much.

4

Jan 26, 2019

*My first experience with Paolo Coelho wasn't so flattering, The Alchemist didn't live up for the hype for me. I said to myself I should pick up another novel since he has too many and they are all successful. .and I'm so glad I did. This particular novel is the perfect mixture of hating and loving a novel it's full of turns and twists that not all readers would tolerate, However, and regardless of the intensity of the topics, I found it an eye-opening. The exposur On women's anatomy would help *My first experience with Paolo Coelho wasn't so flattering, The Alchemist didn't live up for the hype for me. I said to myself I should pick up another novel since he has too many and they are all successful. .and I'm so glad I did. This particular novel is the perfect mixture of hating and loving a novel it's full of turns and twists that not all readers would tolerate, However, and regardless of the intensity of the topics, I found it an eye-opening. The exposur On women's anatomy would help the other gender, and women themselves, to understand better the physical intercourse. At least you will end up learning a lot about what worked and how when... u know what I mean.
The Author was very smart with how the story collided, and How the main character developed to become who she was. I also found it clever how he chose to call her Maria, which is basically Mary the virgin whereas the protagonist was ironically a prostitute, speaking of which, you will have a brief history about prostitution and sex in general that you never imagined existed.
(Although I don't think this will stick to my mind to represent a standard Brazilian girl) I can think of more to say but I'd rather not. I must mention the fluency of the story which was a page-turning. And some slightly boring parts that were repetitive. Over all a ne pas rater. ...more

4

Feb 20, 2018

Usually I do not like when male authors write from the perspective of a female character, especially a strong one. But Paulo Coelho has surprised me yet again with this one. Even though written later, I read 'The Spy' before this one, and found that very interesting. So was this one, to some extent even better. The story of a prostitute that is written without judgement or sympathy - two perspectives that usually ruin a book for me. This is the story of the journey of a woman who was strong and Usually I do not like when male authors write from the perspective of a female character, especially a strong one. But Paulo Coelho has surprised me yet again with this one. Even though written later, I read 'The Spy' before this one, and found that very interesting. So was this one, to some extent even better. The story of a prostitute that is written without judgement or sympathy - two perspectives that usually ruin a book for me. This is the story of the journey of a woman who was strong and courageous enough for venturing towards an unknown land and occupation to chase her dreams of seeing more. She chose prostitution along the way, but kept her inner spirit alive, taught herself new language and new ways of life, and chased towards her dreams even from this situation. The ending was a bit 'dramatic', yet I liked it. A well written book, did not have to pause to go with the flow. A book I would recommend to everyone, however, not for reading with a conservative mindset. It is a book to be read with the same lack of judgement that it was written with I think :) ...more

1

May 10, 2014

Boring as fuck. Theme is as repetitive as all Coelho's books. Don't read this.

3

Oct 18, 2017

Haha, oh boy. Mr. Coelho here. In general, you try too much. In retrospect though, I have come to several conclusions. Some of them even about this author too.

Let us be frank and shameless. Paulo Coelho has always been a one-trick pony. Somewhere along his existence as the main go-to writer for the pseudo-intellectuals, he perfected a formula. Which he pretty much copied and pasted more or less throughout his career. Let's be fair, most writers flounder with their themes, often just repeat
Haha, oh boy. Mr. Coelho here. In general, you try too much. In retrospect though, I have come to several conclusions. Some of them even about this author too.

Let us be frank and shameless. Paulo Coelho has always been a one-trick pony. Somewhere along his existence as the main go-to writer for the pseudo-intellectuals, he perfected a formula. Which he pretty much copied and pasted more or less throughout his career. Let's be fair, most writers flounder with their themes, often just repeat themselves. In this instance, repetition is certainly not the key dear Kongos. And I am not saying Coelho is a hack. He can write. Moving words sometimes.

No idea why, but PC and his cultish followers have always rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe it's just my aversion to crowds. I don't like being in one. I don't do people. I like popular writers, don't get me wrong. Martin, Gaiman, King, you name it. I love them all. I just happen to love Larry Brown more.

I don't know. No matter how hard this faux-philosopher tries, he comes off as a very poor man's Rumi. However, of all his tepid offerings, 11 Minutes is the most tolerable. So there is that. I have to give him that at least. Plus, I really did like the MC and the skin of her lies. Mostly because she had embraced the shame. As she should. Which reminds me, Aurora is in Brazil right now. Can't believe I said Aurora and Paulo Coelho in the same sentence. Well, stranger things have happened. Or are about to in any case.

Although all the sex featured in this book was rather boring and pedestrian. I'll be honest, it did seem revolutionary back in 2007. But what can you expect? What did I know. I was alive back then. What? You thought I was going to say I was a virgin then? Haha.

You know, ofttimes it is the making of something that's far more interesting than the final product, the end result. I always liked that Seven Minutes (which is a more realistic fun time, let's be honest) had inspired 11 Minutes.

Despite the similar titles, I didn't catch that at first. Even though it's based on the Irving Wallace's fine, as always well researched amazing novel, this is a soft pastiche at best. 11 minutes ironically is lacking and not on par with the original. In more ways than one. Even in its absence, its excellence is evident. For more of a satisfactory finish read the more real and realistic Seven Minutes by the ever sublime Irving Wallace. Incidentally, Seven Minutes was published in 1969. Now that seems almost divine.

The fact of the matter is. The drear girl that I still like is still here, despite being dead, still she should read this book as she had planned to once. Just as I had planned to kiss her. But I am not going to now.

Is this suddenly ghoulish?

So, what. I like peripetia and this is still Halloween month. ...more

4

Mar 31, 2010

I was uncomfortable with obscene parts of the book , but I admit I liked the way this book dealt with such instincts of human nature (which are more like Taboos) , specially in its darkest format – ( prostitution)-..It was always a wonder for me how can a woman accept transforming herself into a commodity ..just a sexual tool ! and worse get used to it & be Insensitive ! , and why some ask to buy sex by money ? or from anther side buy company - or someone to listen to - by money ? , why such I was uncomfortable with obscene parts of the book , but I admit I liked the way this book dealt with such instincts of human nature (which are more like Taboos) , specially in its darkest format – ( prostitution)-..It was always a wonder for me how can a woman accept transforming herself into a commodity ..just a sexual tool ! and worse get used to it & be Insensitive ! , and why some ask to buy sex by money ? or from anther side buy company - or someone to listen to - by money ? , why such business - which is old as history - keep going on ?! why some find fun or satisfaction in Sadism ?! , the book made me shocked..frozen!! but opened a wide area for me to think & search , I think Coelho did a good job in that .
I was not very much convinced with the ending as a fairy tale .. (happily ever after) , but as romantic as I am , I let it pass ! ...more