Book Review: The Zahir
Sunday, April 18, 2010 @ 5:18 PM | 0 comment(s)

The Zahir means ‘the obvious’ or ‘unable to go unnoticed’ in Arabic. The story revolves around the narrator, a bestselling novelist, and his search for his missing wife, Esther. He enjoys all the privileges that money and celebrity bring. He is suspected of foul play by the authorities and the press of having a role to play in the inexplicable disappearance of his wife from their Paris home.

Thereby, the protagonist is forced to re-examine his own life and marriage as well. The narrator is unable to figure out what led to Esther’s disappearance. Was she abducted or had she abandoned their marriage? He comes across Mikhail, one of Esther’s friends. The narrator with his help realizes that to find Esther, he must find his own self. Mikhail introduces him to a tribe who has unconventional ways of living. Through the narrator’s journey from Paris to Kazakhstan, Coelho explores various meanings of love and life. ©



Honestly, I had a hard time reading this one. I had to fight with my stubbornness and laziness just to finish the book. It was a bit boring at first. The novelist, who is unnamed, narrates how he had lived his life when his wife left him. He was so egotist, but cool. I like him because he was a writer, and he was not afraid to take chances.

The story is inspiring. It talks about following dreams and what our heart desires, the lack of love, the circle of love, the energy of love and some Tengri traditions. It is quite funny, I guess. I’m actually out of words right now. I’d just leave you with a short excerpt from the book.

Love is an untamed force. When we try to control it, it destroys us. When we try to imprison it, it enslaves us. When we try to understand it, it leaves us feeling lost and confused.

I do not regret the painful times; I bear my scars as if they were medals. I know that freedom has a high price, as high as that of slavery; the only difference is that you pay with pleasure and a smile, even when that smile is dimmed by tears.

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