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Book Review of The Witch of Portobello

The Witch of Portobello
reviewed on + 1453 more book reviews


Spirituality! Many go to church seeking it. This book describes how one woman believe that Jesus meets this need where ever we are. The author achieves it by telling the story of Athena who seeks to discover herself. Abandoned as a child by her mother, a Romanian gypsy, she searches for her.

Narrators are those who knew her well and others not so well. âFrom the journalist who fell in love with her to the woman who felt betrayed by her, from birth mother to adoptive mother, from teacher to studentâ narrators describe how âAthena, born Sherine, sometimes called Hagia Sofiaâ affected their lives. Interviews are related as they were given. Some believed her a âwitchâ others a spiritual leader.

How does she view love, passion, joy and sacrifice? How do we? The author shares Athenaâs view. When the Catholic Church let her down she taught love and sacrifice to others one by one and group by group. Not a book to read quickly, the author suggests there is a feminine side to God, giving readers much to ponder and reflect upon.

This is not a biography. Rather it is a reflection on beliefs and how one lives life. It can be empowering, suggesting that the dogma and rigidity of religion should be examined in light of personal beliefs such as love and sacrifice. What is love? Love just IS.