So I’ve decided Saturdays are going to be book review days. I’ve got so many books I want to tell you about, and I’m always adding more to that list.
This next book is called The Zahir: A Novel of Obsession
When I checked this book out, I was actually looking for The Alchemist. Someone beat me to it, but I took a look at the other books on the shelf. The Zahir was by the same author, and it looked pretty worn. I figured if so many people had read it, it must be good.
After taking it home, I opened it to find that one of my absolute favorite poems, Ithaka, was on the opening page. If you haven’t read it, you must check it out. Its my inspiration whenever I need a reminder why I’m taking chances and seeking a life filled with rich experiences. That was my first clue that I was going to like this book.
The book was about a famous novelist that lived in Paris with his wife. They were married for several years. To him, life was good. In reality, he’d taken his wife for granted and payed little attention to her needs.
One day, she disappeared. There were no clues. He didn’t know for sure if she left of her own accord or if something happened to her. In time, he came to believe she left on her own, perhaps having run off with her assistant, Mikhail.
The rest of the story followed his journey as he obsessed over his lost wife and learned the meaning of unconditional love.
I loved the book. I read it fast and was fascinated by the story. I think, perhaps, the title is a misnomer — it would have been better titled A Novel of Love. Of course, the Zahir wouldn’t have worked either then. But whatever — I’ll stop being so nit-picky.
One thing I have to warn you about is the plot feels a little woo-woo, hippy-ish. Don’t get me wrong, like I said, it held my interest throughout — it was just a bit new-age. But the message about love and relationships that comes off the pages is so well worth the read.
Honestly, this book was probably the best self-help relationship book I’ve ever read. And how often can you say a novel actually helped you in your real life?
It’s pretty awesome. So go ahead — check it out from your library, borrow it from a friend, buy it on Amazon. Definitely worth the read.
Twitter Updates
Hi Heather! I’m intrigued… can’t wait to read this book!
Taking our mains love(s) for granted and payed little attention to their needs is probably very common. We know we shouldn’t. We know we really love this person(s). Yet, the day 2 day garbage gets in our way, blinding our vision of the light in our lives.
Q: Did the book offer a solution?
Cafe – that’s a tough one to offer a solution that works for everyone. I think everyone is different, and different things will work for different people. And, actually, the book talks about that a lot – about how relationships are often expected to be or look a certain way, but that the only thing that really matters is how the people involved feel about it – that they should do what works for them, what makes sense for them and allow the relationship to grow and change as needed.
Thanks for this! I enjoyed The Alchemist, so I’d read something else by the same author. Good for you for branching out.
Hey Heather!
I’m not a fiction reader at all. Except for Paulo Coelho. I love his books.
But The Zahir is by far my least favorite. I actually had to force myself to finish it. Usually, if a book feels like that to me, I stop and move on. That said, it’s awesome that you loved it because you’ll probably love his other stuff too!
And just because…
Favorite: Veronika Decides To Die.
The Alchemist is awesome too, of course. Oh, and 11 Minutes. Dammit, they’re pretty much all good. But I didn’t really like The Zahir. haha
Karol
I’ve read this book and I also loved it! If you havent already you should read another of his books – The Devil and Miss Prym. Its quite short and is essentially about whether or not people are good or evil but it also has another vain running through it which I think you’ll apreciate – the fear people feel about going after what they want. Its the most inspirational book I’ve read
x
Hey Karol and Lizzie – so great to hear from you and get your thoughts on the book! You’ve definitely intrigued me to read more from this author. I’m putting The Devil and Miss Prym and Veronika Decides to Die on my short list for reading!