What are the best books by Paulo Coelho?

Paulo Coelho is a Brazilian writer and lyricist whose fascinating books have achieved worldwide popularity. Through his captivating stories, the author gives the reader an insight into a new and different culture.

Here you’ll find the top 10 books by Paulo Coelho.

Who is Paulo Coelho?

Brazilian author Paulo Coelho was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1947. The conventions of his Roman Catholic upbringing led to a conflict of faith. Therefore, his parents decided to send him to a psychiatric hospital.

After dropping out of law school in 1970, he traveled to various countries worldwide before returning to Brazil. His first writing jobs were lyrics for rock and pop music he co-wrote with Raul Seixas, a famous Brazilian singer/songwriter. With the revenues from his writing job, Coelho decided to travel to Europe and Africa.

He visited Santiago de Compostela, a 500-mile route used by pilgrims in the Middle Ages to travel from France to Spain. This journey awoke a newfound interest in Catholicism, which inspired his first book O-diário-de-um-mago (The Pilgrimage) in 1987.

Here are some key facts about the author:

• His first book was translated into English in 1992 as The Diary of a Magus. In 1995, it was republished as The Pilgrimage.
• Throughout his career, his novels oscillated between fiction and nonfiction, focusing mainly on faith and spirituality.
• Many stories illustrated his journey back to the Catholic faith, including The Pilgrimage, The Valkyries, The Fifth Mountain, and more.
• His most famous novel, The Alchemist, was published in 1988.
• In 2008, he published The Winner Stands Alone, a thriller opposing the Cannes Film Festival.

The best Paulo Coelho books

Paulo Coelho’s books have a profound philosophical idea that the main character learns throughout the story. Here’s a list of Paulo Coelho’s books that every reader needs to check out.

The Alchemist

The Alchemist is the story of an Andalusian shepherd named Santiago and his trip to Egypt in search of treasure.

Along the way, Santiago meets various peculiar characters, including an alchemist, who will lead Santiago through a path of self-realization.

The Pilgrimage

The Pilgrimage recounts the author’s adventurous journey to Santiago de Compostela.

Moreover, it explores the importance of finding one’s path in life and appreciating the small things as the best route to self-discovery.

Veronika Decides to Die

Despite having what seems to be a perfect life, Veronika decides to take her own life, overdosing on sleeping pills.

When her suicide attempt fails, she wakes up in a psychiatric hospital only to discover that she’s permanently damaged her body, and her survival is only temporary.

In Veronika Decides to Die, the author explores the struggles of living with the consequences of our actions and the power of our will to live.

Eleven Minutes

In Eleven Minutes, Maria is a young woman who falls into prostitution after a tempting job offer in Geneva. Her personal conflicts with love and sexuality make her feel no shame in her line of work.

Everything changes when she meets someone as equally lost in life. She will need to reconcile with herself to discover the sanctity of sexuality.

By the River Piedra, I Sat Down and Wept

In By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept, two young lovers reunite after years apart. During their separation, Pilar became an independent woman, capable of hiding her true feelings. Whereas her friend transformed into a spiritual leader with many internal conflicts.

They embark on a journey of self-discovery that will reignite resentments from the past.

Brida

Brida is the story of a young Irish woman on a journey to become a witch. Magicians teach her to overcome her fears and reaffirm her belief in goodness.

The author combines magical realism with mystery, love, and passion for readers to embark on an enchanting journey through spirituality.

The Devil and Miss Prym

In The Devil and Miss Prym, the Garden of Eden is depicted as a small village of Viscos and the tempting serpent as a handsome traveler who chooses Chantal Prym as his mediator.

Through the author’s captivating way of describing the characters, the reader questions good and evil and God’s involvement in people’s fate.

The Witch of Portobello

Athena is a young woman abandoned by her mother at a young age and adopted by a Lebanese family. She ends up studying in London, where her attempts to overcome her childhood issues end in tragedy.

The Witch of Portobello is another take on the importance of self-discovery and our connection to the world through values such as love and sacrifice.

The Zahir

The narrator of The Zahir is a famous novelist whose wife Esther has gone missing. His tireless search takes him from Paris to Central Asia.

Along the way, the protagonist has experiences that will change his conception of life, giving it greater meaning. He also deals with fundamental ideas of love, freedom, and solitude.

Like the Flowing River

Unlike anything Paulo Coelho has written before, Like the Flowing River is a compilation of poems, stories, and anecdotes.

With every tale, the author will examine the meaning of love, nature, and death, among other fundamental values.

Honorable mentions

• Aleph
• The Winner Stands Alone
• The Valkyries
• The Archer
• Warrior of the Light
• The Fifth Mountain
• Manuscript Found in Accra
• The Spy: A novel of Mata Hari

Enjoy Paulo Coelho’s work on Speechify Audiobooks

If you’re interested in novels about spirituality and self-discovery, you’ll love our book recommendations by author Paulo Coelho that are available on Speechify.

With Speechify Audiobooks, you’ll find thousands of novels in every genre available for streaming. This platform is easy to navigate and allows you to access the best stories on your computer or portable devices.

Visit Speechify Audiobooks and enjoy Paulo Coelho’s best books.

FAQ

What is the title of the best-selling novel by Paulo Coelho?

Paulo Coelho’s bestselling novel is The Alchemist, published in 1988.

What should I read if I like The Alchemist?

If you liked The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, check out The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari: A Fable About Fulfilling Your Dreams & Reaching Your Destiny by Robin Sharma.

Is The Alchemist a masterpiece?

Yes. The Alchemist is an inspirational masterpiece that provides the reader with much more than a remarkable story. It makes them question aspects of their own lives.

Why is The Alchemist a must-read?

The Alchemist is a great story about the pursuit of dreams. It guides the reader on a journey of self-discovery through the main character’s experiences.

What is the theme of The Alchemist?

The central theme of The Alchemist is that everyone has an ideal destiny, which the author defines as a personal legend that can only be reached by pursuing one’s dreams.

Why are Paulo Coelho’s books so popular?

Throughout his career, Paulo Coelho has created stories with a philosophical message that goes beyond the embellishment of the plot. It makes readers question their life experiences and their connection with the universe.