Paulo Coelho, internationally famous for several of his books, has here in The Witch of Portobello narrated an
exceptional and forceful tale. The story of a mysterious young woman born in Romania is binding, particularly in the way it is written. Ignoring the classic styles of clear-cut narrative, or conversation or even a series of correspondence, Coelho has adopted a unique narrative technique. He has written it as a series of accounts of individuals, and their first-person interactions with the unusual protagonist Athena, the witch of Portobello. The story winds around Athena’s dilemma, and her tearing quest to fill up the spaces within her, the negative, the silences in her life, to answer her questions of self, of will and of truth. Her search takes her through a journey of many phases until she realizes that silence is what defines the sound. This discovery is enough for her to open new doors of perception, and she finds within herself, a powerful energy. She is recognized by some as a saint and some as sinner. In fact, through the accounts, it is clear that everyone has encountered a completely
different person, as if a creation of their own selves. She learns to live with both reverence and fear. The book is a testament to her unshakeable trust in humanity, withstanding all the atrocities which finally killed her. Parts range from light-reading to heavily emotional, depending entirely on the person presenting the account, be it her parents, colleagues, instructors, friends, acquaintances or her husband. However, this ensures that her character comes out complete, different as she was to different people.