Eleven Minutes

Hi all....

When it comes to Paulo Coehlo and his books, this name sounds very catchy and one is curious to read it quick to know as to what this genius prose writer has in stock for his readers- during eleven minutes.

The prelude to the book talks about Paulo's apprehension, whether this book will also make his readers "dream". He is lil scared of the people's views. Now, this again arouses the readers interest.

The book is a story of a Brazilian girl, who dreams and has desires in life. Circumstances and opportunities make this young attractive girl land up in Switzerland on a work permit for two years. .........And she finally takes over the profession of prostitution!. Marie meets many people, but there is more reference of the Arab man, the librarian, the painter, the preacher and of course, the nice man- employer of the bar, where she works.

Paulo thinks the girl in story is unfortunate, but in my opinion, Marie was just "over ambitious". She had almost all the comforts with which majority will be happy. Still, she left the hometown, a lover and a job because she wanted more out of life. Is it abnormal to want more than you get? Well, i dont think so. When the nomenclature is changed to" ambitious", its a correct word, which gives one praise, but the same when used as "wanting more" is considered bad by the society. That is the reason for so many misunderstandings, fights, divorcees- wanting more in life- it happens with some- cause they are made like that.......hey,i am drifting from the topic i chose to write about.

Anyways, i would again like to congratulate this great author for another different type of work. the man who takes you to Fifth mountain to feel spirituality, or the one who thinks of Zahir correcting problems of life can so beautifully describe the love between Marie and.............
But, was it love?
Those eleven minutes of sex have passion(low and high), but not always love. Love is in giving and caring. It means giving happiness to the one you love.When involved in passionate sex, one becomes selfish. One does it to attain some feelings and satisfaction for self. And, where is love in sex? Its a need of one self which you work for, not of the one you love.When in love, sex can be scared- but when it comes from the one whom you do not love, its a shame. And no one remains his/ her normal self during the course of sex. Marie too is in thoughts mannier times- finally concluding that 11 minutes of sex is all that one desires for. She hates to have sex with the one she loves cause she knows he doesnt love her. Its a pain for her to be loving someone so much, more so when he is around, and she knows he doesnt love her. Its natural to feel that pain. She did miss love.....we all do, especially when you love someone, and you know he doesnt love you.

The best part of the novel are Marie's daily diary pages which she writes just beautifully. Its fun reading each word, each emotion, and each feeling experienced by her. She is a very mature and sensible woman, who strived hard in a foreign land and made her place, all the time knowing what she wants in life and what she plans to do to get it. Marie was a wonderful character of Paulo.Anyone may fall in love with her.

I did wonder as to what made Paulo write this book on such a theme- but when i read the acknowledgment in the end, i think Paulo is greater than i always thought.

TRY READING THIS ONE TOO!