A soul-searching journey

Author: Paulo Coelho
Publisher: Harper Collins
Price: Rs 325
Classification: Fiction

What matters in life is the journey and not the destination. The essence of this is captured in a vivid manner in Paulo Coelho’s novel Aleph. Cited as one of his most personal works, Coelho takes the readers on a transcendental journey.

The protagonist, the author himself, is faced with an unusual crisis of spiritual stagnation. An incomplete feeling engulfs him, propelling him to seek guidance from his master referred to as ‘J’ in the book. J advises him to get hold of the Aleph which is a mystical space and to make a commitment.

Following his master’s instructions dutifully, he embarks on a journey on the Trans-Siberian Express. He cruises through the continents of Africa, Asia and Europe.

During this journey, he meets a woman named Hilal who he later discovers to be the love of his life in one of his previous births. Conversations with her lead him further in the quest for a deeper understanding of his self and soul. A series of events lead the protagonist to redemption and inner peace.

The book is written in Coelho’s inimitable style and explores love, forgiveness and reincarnation. Ardent fans who have enjoyed his previous works like ‘The Alchemist’ and ‘Zahir’ would find this new narrative to be yet another enriching experience. Mystical and engrossing, it enables one to discover the road to tranquillity and salvation. Aleph is a read that will induce readers to believe in themselves and look at life with a different perspective. This bestseller has rightly found its place in leading bookstores and remains a top-seller.