Picked up “Like the flowing river” of Paulo Coelho last week. Finished in a matter of hours. No, no, it wasn’t so gripping, only I skipped pages by the dozens. Dunno why. After Alchemist, I find this so-so. For the record, lemme say I am too small to comment on the great author’s work.
Now just a couple of paras that touched me:
* I am not doing anything, and yet I’m doing the most important thing a man can do: I am listening to what I needed to hear from myself.”
* Quoting Genghis Khan: “Any action committed in anger is an action doomed to failure.”
* “You don’t always have to pretend to be strong, there is no need to prove all the time that everything is going well, it is good to cry out all your tears, because only then you will be able to smile again.”
i recently read 'THE PILGRIMAGE' by the same author and i must say it was a great book
ReplyDeleteThe last para quoted in this post is really nice.
ReplyDeleteWell, i'm unaware of Paulo Coelho's “Like the flowing river”,
but yes, his novel "The Alchemist" is a superb book on chasing a dream to turn it into destiny.
I have read the Alchemist but could not appreciate it at that point of time, maybe I need to pick it up again!
ReplyDeletei like the last line the most!oftentimes to be strong means facing your weaknesses! cry if you must but do not stress yourself up.
ReplyDeleteI have not read it but such books like the alchemist are meant to be read and reread.
ReplyDeleteThe little nuggets you shared are indeed treasures.
hav read the book..n like sai charan i must say the last para is super...:)
ReplyDeleten i agree wid u..after alchemist ..like the..was so-so..
p.s: nice blog!:)
"Any action committed in anger is an action doomed to failure."
ReplyDeleteVery true.
I read The Alchemist the first time and I went "Bleh!" and threw the book away. :D
ReplyDeleteThen I re-read it another time during a personal crisis, just to witness what the heck did I miss in the book that my friend was making such hullabaloo about!
:) I liked it. Even tried the listening to your heart stuff. Now days after I finished the book, I cannot hear my stupid heart talking anymore. I let my mind do the needful :P
Vain. :)
Anyhoo, the point is, try reading it again, say a few years down the line. It might change your perception. :)
I just realized that I own this book. I never got around to reading it. I too have high expectations after The Alchemist so I hope not to be disappointed. Nice paras, especially the last one. Couldn't agree more. Namaste my dear friend.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been able to read a book in years but I do like the last quote a lot. Tears are what raindrops are to nature, cleansing and refreshing.
ReplyDeleteThe quotes are really good. I too found the Alchemist quite absorbing. Since then, I lost touch with Paulo Coelho.
ReplyDeleteoops...I never read novels....But I liked those quotes very much....
ReplyDeleteI read almost all of Coehlho’s books, though not “Like the flowing river”. After reading The Alchemist – which I think is by far the best – I kept reading more of him, but I think I have to be “in the mood” or I skip pages like you.
ReplyDeleteI love your quotes, though!
I wish I had your ability to find and weave stories together and then write so well about it. Ah, geeee….
I've met Paulo once, while he was here for the opening of his book 'The witch...'...to me he is 'God' of a writter...has made a huge difference to my life. I read his books again and again.
ReplyDeleteBest