The bestselling novel from international literary phenomenon Paulo Coelho, author of The Alchemist.
‘Love is a terrible thing that will make you suffer…’
So says Maria, a young Brazilian girl convinced from an early age that she will never find true love. A chance meeting in Rio takes her to Geneva, but the glittering life she hoped for was a fantasy. The reality – selling herself to survive – is a dehumanising grind that pushes her further away from real love, towards a fascination with pure physical pleasure.
But when her emotional barriers are tested by a handsome young painter, she must choose between the dark path she is on and risking everything to find her ‘inner light’. Can she move beyond the meeting of minds or even souls – to a place where sex itself is sacred?
A daring modern fable about the nature of love and sex.
© 2009 HarperCollins (Audiobook): 9780007311835
Translators: Margaret Jull Costa
Release date
Audiobook: 5 January 2009
The bestselling novel from international literary phenomenon Paulo Coelho, author of The Alchemist.
‘Love is a terrible thing that will make you suffer…’
So says Maria, a young Brazilian girl convinced from an early age that she will never find true love. A chance meeting in Rio takes her to Geneva, but the glittering life she hoped for was a fantasy. The reality – selling herself to survive – is a dehumanising grind that pushes her further away from real love, towards a fascination with pure physical pleasure.
But when her emotional barriers are tested by a handsome young painter, she must choose between the dark path she is on and risking everything to find her ‘inner light’. Can she move beyond the meeting of minds or even souls – to a place where sex itself is sacred?
A daring modern fable about the nature of love and sex.
© 2009 HarperCollins (Audiobook): 9780007311835
Translators: Margaret Jull Costa
Release date
Audiobook: 5 January 2009
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Overall rating based on 430 ratings
Heartwarming
Romantic
Thought-provoking
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shivani
28 Sept 2020
I want this kind of self discovery within romance !
nandini
17 Aug 2020
A good one, can make you re-think your beliefs about love and intimacy.
Sumit
8 Oct 2022
Once upon a time author instead of keeping pen in his top left pocket of white shirt kept it in his pants. Thst much is ok
Ananya
7 Dec 2020
It is such a master piece. My mind is haywire at the moment to write the review. I'm in a faraway land,living a anothet person,her secret, her dream, loving her man, and radiating her light from myself.
Zakir
9 Apr 2021
Excellent book on man and woman sensuality.
Qureshi
11 Jun 2021
Greate story with some life lessons. But sometimes bit boring too😅
Bhupendra
16 Aug 2020
Absolutely thought provoking...
Saki
13 Jun 2022
An insight into the conflict between falling in love and falling out of love, between innocence and maturity, between ecstasy and pain, between intimacy and mere sex. Of course Maria is a prostitute and sex is the spine of the book, yet it won't make you cringe. In fact, quite the opposite. It is a deep dive into Maria's heart and mind, a journey of self-discovery and her efforts to understand the most complicated emotional battle of love. It's a thought provoking piece of work and a glimpse into Maria's personal diary is a treat! Overall, a good read.
Sejal
19 Sept 2021
I Iove the plot of story! 💕
English
India