By the River Piedra I sat down and wept

I picked up this novel shortly after reading Coelho's best work, 'The Alchemist'.

Again, I was shocked by the author's ability to present difficult concepts with such simplicity. 'By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept' is a novel about insecurity, love, trust, and faith. The main character, Pilar, struggles with her love for a friend who she believes does not love her. Intertwined in this conflict is Coelho's point of view towards the female attributes of a mostly male dominant Christian God- a concept that is discussed heavily as a subplot.

The novel opens with Pilar at the banks of the River Piedra. She is writing this novel which, as the reader finds out, narrates the details of her ruined love life. Pilar bemoans her fate and begins telling the reader of the journey that led her to find the solace of the river bank.

Referring to her lover as "He", Pilar tells how her childhood friend became a powerful figure in the Catholic Church and a miraculous healer of both bodies and souls. When He invites Pilar to attend one of his conferences in Madrid, she learns that He not only speaks of the feminine side of God but also confesses his unending love for her. Hesitant to accept his love and believing herself unworthy of it, Pilar continuously changes the subject when it becomes too emotional for her to bear. However, her love for Him prompts her to accept his invitation and tour Spain with him, and thus begins a feverish journey of self-discovery, spiritual reawakening, and rekindled love.

The ever-changing spiral of her travels is both heart-wrenching and uplifting as Pilar retells the story of a love that could surpass all religious doctrines if she would only give it the chance.

Pilar at times appears whiney and childish, and her claims of not being loved do get old.

There is a certain atmosphere that emanates from this book and immersing ones' soul into it is a purifying experience. The two main characters are in search of love, and the understanding of love

Overall, I found this to be a beautifully written spiritual book - one that lends itself to reflection.

And something I would quote from the book

" All love stories are same"