Book Review: Brida. Author: Paulo Coelho.
"Being cocksure is the defining attribute of the fool". In order to evolve, a human being needs to be unsure most of the time, broke, lost, mediocre (at least in early stages of youth), go through phases where all luck feels rotten and finally settle. Very few get to execute their plans hassle-free. Most of us transition from caterpillars to butterflies. Brida's life is all about transitions, fickle mindedness, little or no planning and absolutely no interests.
Paulo Coelho's 'Brida' is the quintessential millennial jackeen lady who yearns independence, good life and all things that make life a good one. She has a loving boyfriend named Lorens who adores her and cares about her deeply. She also has a job which is her source of income, but feels that she lacks passion, as well as a sense of identity. As she traverses on the path of self-discovery, she unravels beautiful spiritual and ritualistic secrets that bring her closer to herself and make her appreciate her journey as well as her destination.
'Brida' is a relatable character because despite having little or no interest in anything and despite being as fickle minded as she is, Brida realizes it and understands that a part of her is to blame. At the same time, she does not really know what she wants which makes her predicament germane as well as endearing. When she goes to the forest after sunset to implore the Animagus to teach her the secrets of the occult, her relatable emotions of fear of the dark, fear of how the Animagus would treat her as well as her determination to connect with the universe and attune herself cosmically with it is ingenious. Even when the author introduces mystical concepts in the novel, he makes sure not to draw the reader into a vortex of a jargon that would warrant eclaircissement, and the prestidigitations are not entirely unbelievable and have a touch of logic.
The best thing about the novel is its simple language, great grip on the story and the normalcy of the characters. There is a Brida in everyone: the unsorted, adventurous, indecisive and at the most unexpected times, an intrepid Brida. A Brida that shows herself when the situation demands, or unveils herself almost discreetly. A Brida that wants us to discover who we are and come to terms with things we have been shying away from. The book has many verifiable references to the Irish Science of the Occult, with special mention of the mysteries of the Tarot. The book is a treat for those who believe in the universe and feel that there is a connection between things.
As the Animagus teaches Brida what she wants to learn, he makes her realize the importance of many things, mainly of love, of human touch and of compassion. On her journey to be a healer and a savant in the mysteries of the Occult, Brida encounters diverse experiences that shape her character in a way she herself did not imagine. The book exudes an aura of mystical sanguinity and hope. A hope that some things happened the way they did because they were supposed to. In a non-believer's language, the book is Panglossian.
Brida is as entertaining as much as spiritual. The author has relatably brought to life the various situations an unfocused young lady in the prime of her life goes through as she travels towards evolution. On a deeper note, it feels as if the author is insinuating to the reader, 'what exactly is evolution'? Is it the feeling of realization that evolution is needed, or is it a realization that there is no one point at which evolution is achieved, because as the word implies, 'evolution' is constant?
The grip on the story of the book is so good that even non-believers can read this book for the sake of a good story, and gain albeit a modicum from it. For the lovers of fiction, mystique and cosmic sciences, the book is a treat and an unputdownable as well as memorable experience, mainly for Brida's journey as an individual,as well as the teachings imparted by the Animagus.
A Russian proverb suggests that the more the expanse of knowledge an individual has, the greater his level of dolorousness. Coelho triumphantly proves the adage wrong and like all his writings, relatably instills hope into his readers that knowledge, sets people free as much as it grabs hold of them by not letting go, makes people happier, as much as instilling pressure and sadness, and mostly, knowledge brings people closer to loving themselves no matter how much self-loathing they have deep down in their hearts.
The readers are sure to complete reading the book within a week. 'Brida' is a gripping, vivacious read that is sure to adorn the readers' bookshelves. The simplicity of the book deserves a special mention. 'Brida' is for all who desire peace, love and alignment within themselves. For all others, it is for those who would like a great story. Though not a must read, it is highly recommended.
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Description of Brida prompted me to read the novel
ReplyDeleteGreat Review!
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