![The Zahir [image from begonvilliev.files.wordpress.com]](http://studentry.sg/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/The-Zahirbegonvilliev.files_.wordpress.com_.jpg)
As with other books by Paulo Coelho, The Zahir is simply another stroke of his brilliance. Bringing the reader on the discovery of love, loss and marriage, Coelho tells the story of an author, enjoying the fame and success that his books bring, whose world suddenly comes crashing down with the mysterious disappearance of his wife, Esther. Confused and lost as to why she would leave him, the protagonist is forced to confront his reality, and with the help of an epileptic named Mikhail, begins on a journey of self-discovery.
If there is anything that can garner my attention, it has to be books about love. In his book, Coelho brings his reader through the process of discovering what love really means, away from the typical stereotypes of what a marriage should be like. When the protagonist loses his wife, he begins to uncover the cracks in their marriage, allowing him to question his role as a husband. The story not only touched my heart, but also brought me to a point of enlightenment.
Don’t get me wrong though, Coelho does not only tell a sappy love story, he speaks to his readers about life in general, and this made me fall in love with the novel. Through the protagonist, Coelho forces the reader to question what it really means to be happy, and what it really means to be content with life. This novel is certainly for those who are on a journey of self-discovery; so have your Kleenex at hand, if you are easily moved to tears like me!
I shall end this off with one of my favourite quotes from the book:
“If there is suffering, then it’s best to accept it, because it won’t go away just because you pretend it’s not there. If there is joy, then it’s best to accept that too, even though you’re afraid it might end one day.”