11 Thought-Provoking Paulo Coelho Books

Paolo Coelho’s books have inspired the world over, having sold over 175 million copies in 67 languages. 

He has effectively used his experiences from adolescence of being put in a psychiatric hospital, and later, a life-changing pilgrimage in his adult years, to share timeless wisdom with his readers. 

11 Must-Read Paulo Coelho Books

If you’ve never read any of Paulo Coelho’s books, here are some tips to help you pick your next read: 

1. The Alchemist 

In the book that won Coelho worldwide acclaim, Santiago is a shepherd boy who longs to travel and find a certain treasure. As he journeys across the desert, he finds a far different—but definitely more satisfying—treasure than he expected. This book will teach you the value of listening to your heart. 

2. Warrior of the Light

This is a companion book to The Alchemist, with short passages that invite readers to live out their dreams and rise to their individual destiny. This collection of stories is just as philosophical and will surely guide and delight you. 

3. The Pilgrimage

This is Coelho’s first book that eventually paved the way for the success of The Alchemist. In it, Coelho tells about his journey along the legendary path of Santiago, traveled by pilgrims since the Middle Ages. He shares how he meets a variety of unusual guides and overcomes hindrances in order to understand truth and life. 

4. By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept 

Pilar is a strong woman reunited with a lover from her youth. But he has since become a spiritual leader known for his charisma, and hides his inner conflicts behind religion. How will they reexamine a special relationship amidst all the changes they’ve gone through? 

5. Veronika Decides to Die 

Veronika is a 24-year-old who has everything in life, but still feels unfulfilled and decides to kill herself. After taking a fatal dose of sleeping pills, she wakes up at a mental hospital. The book takes a look at mental illness and the uniqueness of individuals when they don’t fit into social norms. 

6. The Fifth Mountain 

Coelho explores a fictional love story between the prophet Elijah and the young widow who helps him in Zarephath, as he flees the wrath of Phoenician princess Jezebel, who is out to kill all the prophets that do not worship her god Baal. 

7. Brida

Brida is a young Irish girl on a quest for knowledge. She starts with a search for magic, but ends up meeting a few wise people. One of these wise individuals is a man who lives in a forest and teaches her how to overcome her fears. Another is a woman, who shows her how to dance to the world’s music.

8. Hippie 

Using his own experiences, Coelho writes about a young Brazilian boy named Paulo, whose dream is to become a writer. A Dutch woman, Karla, invites Paulo on a trip across Europe and Asia, where they explore a love relationship that leads to decisions that change their lives forever. 

9. The Archer 

Tetsuya is a man who was once known for being highly skilled with a bow and arrow. Since then, he has retreated from public life. But when a boy comes looking for him and asking him questions, Tetsuya shows how the bow illustrates important lessons in life. 

10. The Spy

Inspired by one of the most mysterious women in history, Coelho writes about Mata Hari, who arrives in Paris with nothing to her name, but soon rises to the heights of fame. The dancer and courtesan delighted both public and private audiences, but at the height of WWI, she was arrested as a spy. 

11. The Winner Stands Alone

In this spiritual allegory, Coelho writes about 24 hours at the Cannes Film Festival, with a raging sociopath named Igor killing off several members of an elite superclass as part of his revenge against his ex-wife. 

Enjoy Books by Paulo Coelho 

Sitting down with a Paulo Coelho book is a great way to spend an evening, but make sure you come with an open mind to think about your own life journey and dreams.

Most, if not all, of his books have an inclination to look at the spiritual side of things, so you may even consider keeping a reading journal!

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

 

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

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