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The Valkyries
Written by Paulo Coelho
Narrated by Sean Runnette
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A classic masterwork of spiritual tension and realization from Paulo Coelho, this powerful story of one man's battle with self-doubt and fear is now available in a beautiful new package from HarperOne. An essential volume alongside Coelho's other bestselling and influential books, such as The Alchemist, The Pilgrimage, Brida, and The Winner Stands Alone, the searing and unforgettable narrative in The Valkyries asks the questions most central to all literature-and all of humanity's quest for understanding. Why is it that we destroy the things we love most? And how can we learn to let go of the past and believe in the future?
Book Actions
Start ListeningBook Information
The Valkyries
Written by Paulo Coelho
Narrated by Sean Runnette
Description
A classic masterwork of spiritual tension and realization from Paulo Coelho, this powerful story of one man's battle with self-doubt and fear is now available in a beautiful new package from HarperOne. An essential volume alongside Coelho's other bestselling and influential books, such as The Alchemist, The Pilgrimage, Brida, and The Winner Stands Alone, the searing and unforgettable narrative in The Valkyries asks the questions most central to all literature-and all of humanity's quest for understanding. Why is it that we destroy the things we love most? And how can we learn to let go of the past and believe in the future?
About the author
Reviews
Fascinating
Rating: 4I'm a sucker for spiritual adventure lit. I use the term lit loosely, though I do like his masculine style of serving up a scene with no garnishments. Sucked it down in one evening over Dell Customer Support. Enjoy the term "second voice" for the ongoing conversations we have in our head when we're not even aware of it.
Rating: 5
A bit dissapointing content..Coelho mixes obsolete worlds..evokes feelings of hallucinations you get while having an afternoon nap
Rating: 2I am doing a Paulo Coelho marathon. Started reading the Pilgrimage, the Alchemist, Brida, and now this one. Going in chronological order. I really liked Brida and the Alchemist. Pilgrimage was alright. But the Valkyries... not so much. It's not horrible, but there were parts that dragged on too long. Also the narrator's voice was irritating. It made it hard to concentrate on the story.
I think this book could have been more exciting if some of the mystic scenes were a bit shorter. Even I, who finds that stuff fascinating, was bored at times... just my $0.02.
Rating: 2I think this book could have been more exciting if some of the mystic scenes were a bit shorter. Even I, who finds that stuff fascinating, was bored at times... just my $0.02.
Was there a story here? If there was then I missed it. The plot is extremely lacking or (at best) very difficult to decern. The conversations are boring as the characters jabber on about nothing consequential. I'm being generous in giving it even 1 star. Ugh, just not a good book.
Rating: 1This was the first of Paulo Coelho's books I have read and perhaps that was a mistake. I found the first half of his journey intriging and compelling but when the Valyries appeared it all seemed to be a bit too much. It went from simple explanations eg the 'second mind' to 'hard to digest' rituals and characters. I found myself asking 'is this book factual?'. Perhaps if I had read his other works first I would have had more of an understanding of his beliefs and practices.
Rating: 3This follows a journey in search of the Valkyries. I would compare it to some sort of "vision quest" of the main character. The story feels weak compared to the author's other works, but the concept makes the read worth while. I found myself confused at times in the first half, as I didn't know who he's referring to. The plot gets better in the climax, but gets much weaker toward the end.This is definitely not a title to read when first reading this author's works.Two and a half out of five.
Rating: 3I do usually enjoy Coelho's books and often take something inspiring away from them however, with The Valkyries I am not too sure. Coelho tells the story of his spiritual journey and experiences gained travelling through the desert. Throughout the journey we witness Coelho fighting his inner demons and working towards spiritual enlightenment and self development. We are also introduced to his wife Chris who accompanies Coelho and, in her own way, faces her own inner struggles and spiritual enlightenment. Throughout the book I found myself sympathising with Chris, becoming annoyed at her husband and following her journey more closely. On some occasions I become frustrated with Coehlo, his sense of importance and, more often, self indulgence. But, having said this, I believe this is what Coehlo wanted to portray and what was involved in his journey of battling against the ego and inner demons.Coehlo's books often bring spiritual messages that can be inspiring and insightful. However, I feel The Valkyries has nothing further to add except maybe the possiblity of seeing Coehlo stripped bare and laying out his vulnerabilities for all to see which is quite a difficult and admirable thing to do.
Rating: 2The only thing that saves this book from a 1 star rating is the accessability of the ideas to the reader, It is a bit immature and at times a bit flat. I think this for the less philosophically inclined this may seem a bit more mystical then it really is, I think it'd be a great segway book to get one interested in the genre to read much more. There is not the great insight into the writers life and torment as you may see in the writing of Thomas Aquinas for example. It may not be fair to compare a great with an inspiring contempory. I do see it as a great introductory book to mysticism the connections one may feel with god. If you examine it a bit more closely you can see how thin the veil really is. Enjoyable yes, enlightening no. I expected much more.
Rating: 2Coelho goes in search of his guardian angel, needs constant validation and is never satisfied.
Rating: 1