By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept Author:Paulo Coelho, Alan R. Clarke (Translator) The protagonist of the story is an independent young woman Pilar who is fed up of her university life and is on a quest to find the real meaning of life. Her life takes an unexpectedly interesting turn when she meets her childhood sweetheart after eleven years. — In these eleven years, things have changed drastically. Pilar has become an independ... more »ent and strong woman and now has learned the art to hide her feelings. On the other hand, her friend has become a charismatic and handsome spiritual leader and a rumored miracle worker.
He has got rid of his inner conflicts and taken refuge in religion.
The story further unfolds as the two lovers take on a journey from the French Pyrenees. The novel has been set in a small village near the River Piedra. Adolescent love rarely reaches its full potential but these two are together again. However, their journey is filled with difficulties, resentment, and demons of blame and they get to reexamine their special bond in the light of some of the biggest questions of life.« less
A mythical romantic adventure that teaches the secrets of life and love and of suffering and healing through spiritual communion by the author of The Alchemist. This is a beautiful story.
Gabrielle O. reviewed By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept on
I really have enjoyed many of Coehlo's work inthe past. While this book does not compare to one of my favorites, The Alchemist, it does have some interesting points such as the themes of faith, love, and following your dreams. I also enjoyed some of the stories within and the "quotables" which I will use, but it does not live up to his other titles.
Nonetheless, if you enjoy this genre. You shouldn't skip it.
I would give this book three stars. Not as engaging as The alchemist. I ordered it because it says one of the themes is forgiveness, but I didn't really see that. I liked O'Henry's The Gift of the Magi better as a rendition of the story of two people sacrificing for each other, only to find that they had sacrificed the one thing that would make the gift they received one of value.
A very spiritual novel. Pilar, a young scholar feeling hopeless and worn down by life, is contacted by a childhood friend--who is now a charismatic spiritual leader. What follows is a moving story about the unfolding of their relationship, and the impact it has on Pilar. A delightful book.