Eleven Minutes
25 journalers for this copy...
I haven't read this book yet but several others by Paulo Coelho which I enjoyed very much. I don't think there's any book by him that's not a good one... As I neither will get to read this book soon nor want to read this book at the time, I've decided to start a bookring for it. I hope it'll return home to me safely at the end of the ring. Maybe after a few fellow bookcrossers have read it and shared their critiques, I'll get to it myself.
Participants of the bookring with location and shipping preferences:
01. Starting with
solskinn in Austria, then going to
02.
flambard (England, UK / Int) - read and passed on 03.
Lottiotta (England, UK / Int) - read and passed on 04.
tiatia (Virginia, USA / USA preferred) - read and passed on 05.
Withoutwings (Arizona, USA / USA preferred) - skipped due to too many bookrings with her at the moment 06.
Tori58 (Wisconsin, USA / Int) - didn't journal, but had it and passed it on 07.
bearyfriend (Singapore / Australia & NZ) - read and passed on 08.
KiwiWonder (New Zealand / Int) - skipped due to no response to PMs and ISO 09.
jneni (Singapore / Int) - read and passed on 10.
Tinina67 (Australia / Int) - read and passed on 11.
nud (New Zealand / NZ only) - read and passed on 12.
Sfogs (New Zealand / Int) - read and passed on 13.
deepdowne (UAE / Int) - read and passed on 14.
aet (Finland) - asked to be skipped 15.
DitteL (Denmark / Europe preferred, Int if needed) - read and passed on 16.
Fiellu (Finland / EU preferred, Int if needed) - read and passed on 17.
hakkalina (Hungary / Int) - read and passed on 18.
DryKid (England, UK / UK preferred) - read and passed on 19.
Lizzy-stardust (England, UK / Int) - didn't reply to PMs 20.
solskinn (Austria) for international shipping - read and passed on 21.
Rrrcaron (New Hampshire, USA / USA preferred) - read and passed on 22.
carenhf (New Jersey, USA) - read and passed on 23.
easterngirl71 (Illinois, USA / USA only) - read and passed on 24.
krl112 (New Jersey, USA / Int) - read and passed on 25.
E-sr (Tenerife, Spain, EU preferred) - read and passed on 26.
grovalskii (Germany) - read and passed on 27.
mafarrimond (Wales, UK / EU preferred) - read and passed on 28.
ana-b (The Netherlands) - read and passed on 29.
Fremmedordbok (Norway) - read and passed on 30.
kalise (Austria, wants to be last) - read and passed on 31. And finally back to
solskinn in Austria
Please note that the shipping order may change anytime as the bookring will stay open until it gets back to my place.
Happy Reading to everyone!
Journal Entry
3 by
wolkenklang at
By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (8/6/2008 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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The book is on its way to the United Kingdom!
It has arrived! Many thanks solskinn!
I'm very grateful for having the opportunity to read this, but it has to be said that I was disappointed with this book.
Maria was shallow, immature, self-centred and 2-dimensional. Having got his heroine into a compromising position, Coelho treats us to a discourse on sex, at both a carnal and a spiritual level which just made me want to ask "And?". Maria searches endlessly for the true meaning of love (without in any way becoming a sympathetic character) and in the meantime engages in sado-masochism with intellectual businessmen which doesn't lead to any interesting story progression at all. She also meets a handsome artist and is afraid of falling in love with him which will ruin all her plans. The ending was just predictable and awful.
I have Lottiotta's address and will post it this weekend. Thanks again!
Journal Entry
6 by
Flambard at
Mail, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, August 30, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (8/30/2008 UTC) at Mail, Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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Posted in Horsham, UK
Oooo exciting! I'm really looking forward to this one - my friend Anna was reading it at Dance Camp, and it was metaphorically poking me, so I was really glad to find a bookring. :) I think I might have signed up for it when I had to put it on the
Bookring Directory!
Thank you very much to Solskinn for hosting the ring, and Flambard for posting it my way. I'll pass it on as soon as I can. :)
5th September 2008 I just finished it this morning, and I'm in two minds about the whole thing. It introduced to me some ideas about sex that I hadn't considered before, but felt that I knew instinctively. But I found the style and the story a bit... dull? Not predictable at all, but I can imagine that the writer could write about a trip to Tesco to buy washing powder in the same tone! The story clearly stands up for itself though, so I am glad that I read it.
A speedy read that I'd recommend to certain specific people. :) I have PMed tiatia for an address, and I'll be able to send it over to the USA as soon as I can by surface mail. Thank you again!
7th September 2008 Address received, book in packaging, ready to be posted tomorrow.
Arrived and as much I want to start immediately, it will have to wait until the weekend. I have bookclub on Friday and am finishing reading our selection.
A fabulous look at self discovery and what steps a young woman takes to find it. The poetic style made me relate even more to some of the questions asked about life, love, sex, and money. Thank you for sharing solskinn. Off to the next in line as soon as I get an addy.
Journal Entry
10 by
tiatia at
-- BookRing, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (10/15/2008 UTC) at -- BookRing, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
to the next in the book ring per the owner of the book.
Book arrived, thanks for sending. Was quite surprised seeing the pkg as I've forgotton giving out any add for this ring. Will get to it once I finished my current read. Have been slow in reading lately, spent too much time on beautifying my blog, and going bonkers with all the codes & techie stuff.
Finished reading in a day. Coelho's books have always been known to fill with a lot of philosophical or soul-of-the-world talks, but find this to be somewhat better than those previous ones I'd read, though it doesn't mean I agree with everything that is written. Just like what the protogonist wrote in her diary, she could have
left the restaurant with her dignity intact and her purse empty... but she didn't. She didn't want to return to her small town of family & friends without showing that she has achieved something, instead decided to go all the way into her chosen field while she goes in search of herself and her true love. She compared her destiny to be like the roller-coster track, and if her god is in-charge of the machine, then her nightmare will be something thrilling, even if she feel trapped and sick. And of all the things that she does, I don't understand why she goes through that humiliation and physical suffering with that english exec client.
More Reviews here Thanks solskinn for sharing the book. Have pm'd the next reader for her add, but so far no reply. Hope she'll see this as well. Will wait another few more days...
Update Dec-15: No response from KiwiWonder. Have received Jneni's address, sending book off to her tomorrow. Thanks also to Solskinn for recruiting more readers.
Blessed Christmas to all of you. Happy Holidays, have fun and receive more presents.
Journal Entry
13 by
jneni on Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Just received this book from bearyfriend in mail today! :) Thanks for including me! I will read this after I finish the current book and then send it out to the next person in line!
EDIT: As I've been mailing a lot of stuff for the holidays, I am a bit running short of funding, So I'll post this book out to the next person on the first week of January 09. Sorry about that!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Journal Entry
14 by
jneni on Thursday, January 1, 2009
I've just finished reading this yesterday - the last book I read in year 2008! :)
I have his other book The Witch of Portobello but I haven't read it, so this is like the first from Coelho that I read. It's very interesting and very philosophical. While I was absorbed into the book very quickly and I applauded Coelho's protagonist for her being very adventurous, I don't really agree with the whole idea about the quest for identity and love. There are many paths that one could always take. As much as Maria trying to explained herself out (or, rather Coelho), I still think that she was into that profession only because of easy money. Some of the points that Coelho highlighted was worth thinking through thoroughly; he also did a good job of keeping the readers entertained. But other than that, I just felt that the whole book was Maria trying to justify the routes that she chose in her life.
Overall, I did enjoy the book although I think it could be better. Thanks for including me solskinn! :)
I just PM-ed Tinina67 for her address. Will send it once I get her address!
Journal Entry
15 by
jneni at
Steiglitz, Queensland Australia on Monday, January 12, 2009
Released 15 yrs ago (1/13/2009 UTC) at Steiglitz, Queensland Australia
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Sending this off to Tinina67 who is next on the list! :)
Journal Entry
16 by
Tinina67 on Sunday, January 18, 2009
Arrived safe and sound. Is the next to read on my list. Thanks solskinn.
Journal Entry
17 by
Tinina67 on Thursday, January 22, 2009
This was a quick read, but I must say after "The alchemist" I was a bit disappointed, though it still has the special "Coelho-language" that I like. The story reminded me of another book that I read a while ago "Lulú: Die Geschichte einer Frau" ("Ages of Lulu") by Almudena Grandes, a book about sex, pleasure, pain and addiction. Overall a bit too predictable.
Will be sent on to nud pretty soon.
Journal Entry
18 by
Tinina67 on Thursday, January 29, 2009
It is finally on its way to Nud! (Sorry for keeping you waiting!)
This arrived today! I am very excited as I have been wanting to read this book for a while and this is my first book ring! Thankyou so much for including me. I will start it tonight.
First of all thanks for letting me join this ray. I found this book easy to read, and I really liked the authours style of writing. However, I found the main characters annoying as they had no depth to them. I also thought this book would make me think more than it did. Overall though a good read, it still managed to hold my attention. I am just finding out sfogs address.
Journal Entry
21 by
nud at
Picton, Marlborough New Zealand on Sunday, February 15, 2009
Released 15 yrs ago (2/15/2009 UTC) at Picton, Marlborough New Zealand
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This book has been sent today, and is on its way to Sfogs. Hope you enjoy it!
After reading it I was quite suprised at how fast I did read it.
The story it'self reminds me of 'Swift As Desire'. I liked the story, and it was good to see from Maria's point of view, a view which most of soceity ignores. Will send onto deepdowne soon.
Journal Entry
24 by
Sfogs at
Christchurch, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- New Zealand on Thursday, February 26, 2009
Released 15 yrs ago (2/26/2009 UTC) at Christchurch, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- New Zealand
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Sent on it's way to continue bookray! Bye bye book Happy travels!!
Arrived in mail today. Will try to finish it soon and pass it on. Thanks Sfogs, solskinn
The author says: "Some books make us dream, others bring us face to face with reality, but what matters most to the author is the honesty with which a book is written."
And now, after finishing reading this book, I'm convinced he has kept his word. He has been totally honest in the process of writing this book.
He sets his protagonist Maria on the hard journey that ultimately helps her in discovering, and those among us who have not yet recognised recognise, the sacredness in what is known as 'sex' and to ponder on why it must always be invariably profane, taboo. This book is about desire, freedom, love, sex..
The author has littered (to the utmost delight of the quote freak that I am:) ) all over the book with lines I wanted to quote in as many places as possible. Yeah, I was amazed how totally in tune I had been with the author throughout the book!
I don't think anyone can write a book as this in a subtler way. It's so fully pregnant with poetry. This is how he starts the book:
"Once upon a time, there was a prostitute called Maria. Wait a minute. 'Once upon a time' is how all the best children's stories begin and 'prostitute' is a word for adults. How can I start a book with this apparent contradiction? But since, at every moment of our lives, we all have one foot in a fairy tale and the other in the abyss, let's keep that beginning.
Once upon a time, there was a prostitute called Maria."
Pm'ed 'aet' who is next on the ring for the address.
Pm'ed Dittel for their address as aet has requested to be skipped.
Sent to Dittel yesterday. Enjoy!
Arrived yesterday. Thanks for sending it deepdowne and thanks for sharing solskinn
Finished reading the book this morning and I don't really know what to think of it. I really enjoy reading Coelho's books because of the way that he uses the language, but I hate that he keeps telling the same story about persons trying to define themselves and finding happiness.
I've already got Fiellu's address and the book will travel to Finland within the next couple of days.
Journal Entry
31 by
DitteL at
-- wild released somewhere in Storstrøms Amt, Storstrøms Amt Denmark on Friday, May 15, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (5/16/2009 UTC) at -- wild released somewhere in Storstrøms Amt, Storstrøms Amt Denmark
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On it's way to the next reader. Enjoy!
This arrived at the post today. Will get to it asap. Loooking forward to it as have enjoyed some other books by Coelho.
28th of May -
I really enjoyed this book. It was better then some others by Coelho, and I was positively surprised by the topic he had chosen. I agree that women not having orgasms through penetration is a hushed issue and appreciate his intent of raising this and some other issues. Yet, the story had some weird turns that left me wondering. But perhaps this was due to the final remark of the book: "Finally, I must thank Maria (nom de guerre), who now lives in Lausanne with her husband ... [who] told us her story, on which this book is based."
Have the next person's address already so will post this book within the next few days.
Journal Entry
33 by
Fiellu at
Jyväskylä, Keski-Suomi / Mellersta Finland Finland on Monday, June 1, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (6/1/2009 UTC) at Jyväskylä, Keski-Suomi / Mellersta Finland Finland
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Sent out to Hungary today.
The book arrived safely. I love so much its envelope :)
Update: 2009.06.27.
I really love this book. It could be a romatic book, since it has the "Happy End", but it is more, it tells more. Sexuality, sex, prostitution, but there is love, caressness, tenderness. It is wonderful to see how Maria is developing, how she discovers her limits, how realizes herself, but how she can't express her feelings, how she justifies her thoughts to ownself. She took many risks, but in love she waited until the very last moment. As a child she did a mistake when she was asked by boy, but as an adult lady - at this very last moment - she gave the best answer to the man. So she learnt the lesson. And I "hope" after the Happy End, she won't wait for the last moment, but dare to express her own desires to her loved man. :)
Journal Entry
35 by
hakkalina at
Budapest, Pest Hungary on Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (6/30/2009 UTC) at Budapest, Pest Hungary
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Solskinn's book is travelling onward to the next reader in the UK.
I saw that the readers are more then the lines in "bookring table" on first page, so I have printed out a "bookring table made by borina", and stuck in the book. There is enough place now. :)
The interesting thing is with this book I will release another book which goes to solskinn. :))
Received this a few days ago, sorry I didn't journal earlier, will read it asap.
Journal Entry
37 by
DryKid at
By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Friday, October 23, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (10/21/2009 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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Really enjoyed this, it was the second of Coelho's books I have read the other being the Alchemist, he covers difficult subjects of sex and spirituality in a very stylish and masterly way. Sent on to Austria two days ago.
Arrived safe and sound back in Austria! Thanks for posting it over, DryKid. The book will continue its travels as soon as I get an address from the next one in line.
Journal Entry
39 by
wolkenklang at
bookcrosser, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (11/3/2009 UTC) at bookcrosser, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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Off to New Hampshire! Enjoy!
I received this book in the mail today. Will get to it soon!
Ruth
This book was very different from Coelho books I have read in the past. But it did have a message. We all have that inner light, and not all of us pursue it. The daily rituals of living get in the way. When will we really have enough, we can always make more money, but in turn are selling our time. I'm glad I read it- thanks for sharing. Sending on to next reader.
Ruth
I received the book on 12-4, and have only just started it. I will try to finish asap and mail it on to the next person.
CAUGHT IN FAIR LAWN NJ USA
I just finished the book and will send it off to easterngirl71 tomorrow. I am a big Paulo Cohelo fan, but this is my least favorite off all. The mystical quality generally present in Cohelo's writing is missing in this one. While there are the usual soul searching main characters I didn't feel Maria had as much depth as his usual main characters. If you liked this one try The Zahir, The Alchemist or Veronica Decides to Die, much better in my opinion.
Just got this book today in the mail!! I will get to it as soon as I read a few other ring/ray books that I have and need to be read and sent off to the next person. Thanks for understanding and sharing this book with me:)
Journal Entry
45 by
easterngirl71 at
Alton, Illinois USA on Saturday, April 3, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (4/3/2010 UTC) at Alton, Illinois USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
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Sent this off today to the person following me in this ring! The tracking numbers for the book are 0309 1830 0002 1548 7144. Thanks for being so patient and understanding during this difficult time. As my brother needs to have his knee completely rebuilt after an accident he had and then with my step father having by pass surgery and being diabetic which kept him in the hospital almost a week, then as soon as he got home was back in the hospital with fluid on his lungs and was in the hospital again for 6 days, went home and I got a phone call yesterday that he was back in the hospital with the fluid on his lungs again. I appreciate your understanding and kindness:)
The book is here. Unfortunately, I cannot ship international at this time--but it looks like I will have to. The previous person did not check with me, and just sent this book.
Journal Entry
47 by
krl112 at
Hawthorne, New Jersey USA on Thursday, June 3, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (6/3/2010 UTC) at Hawthorne, New Jersey USA
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I'm mailing this to E-sr in the Canary Islands, Spain.
Journal Entry
48 by
E-sr at
Tenerife - En algún lugar de la isla, Santa Cruz de Tenerife Spain on Thursday, June 10, 2010
The book arrived on Monday but I wasn't at home and till this morning I didn't have had time to pick up it from the Post Office. So Krl112!, the post took less than a week, fabulous!!
Thanks Solskinn for making this bookring! The book radiates much magic!!
And also, I would love to thank Krl112 for the lovely postcards!! They have made me want to know New Jersey!!, specially the Cape May Point Lighthouse!! Beautiful!
Warm regards for you all! and happy week!!
Journal Entry
49 by
E-sr at
Tenerife - En algún lugar de la isla, Santa Cruz de Tenerife Spain on Monday, September 6, 2010
Hi there!, for some personal reasons I have been away and very inactive... the book is safe and I will send it to Grovalskii in this week.
Regards and happy week for all!
Journal Entry
50 by
grovalskii at
Zehlendorf, Berlin Germany on Saturday, October 23, 2010
just received this book together with a couple of other ones in the mail today. I will probably this one next. Thanks e-sr for sending it to me!
Journal Entry
51 by
grovalskii at
Zehlendorf, Berlin Germany on Tuesday, November 16, 2010
I really enjoyed the book. Definitely better than The Witch of Portobello. Maria wasn't the most likable character, and I have a hard time making the connection from some early teen experiences with lost love to becoming a prostitute, but I found the description of the events and the development of how and why Maria became a prostitute and in the end was able to leave that business intriguing.
Journal Entry
52 by
mafarrimond at
Hawarden, Wales United Kingdom on Monday, December 6, 2010
The book has arrived safely. Thank you.
Journal Entry
53 by
ana-b at
Gouda, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The book arrived today. Thanks mafarrimond and solskinn
Journal Entry
54 by
ana-b at
Gouda, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Finally on its way to Norway. I had a very long holiday this summer and I did not manage to send the book before my holiday as planned, so that's way it took so long to get it into the mail.
Journal Entry
55 by
Fremmedordbok at
Bergen, Hordaland fylke Norway on Sunday, September 4, 2011
The book has arrived!
Hopefully it is a good timing - i just finished an exam, and need new things to read!
Thanks for arranging and sending!
Journal Entry
56 by
Fremmedordbok at
Bergen, Hordaland fylke Norway on Saturday, November 12, 2011
I have finally finished the book. I'm sorry it took so long, but we've had a tough period in my family that hit just when I had recieved the book. I saved it so that I could read it when the toughest time was over, because I really wanted (and needed) a good reading experience!
And I got it! The book was very exploring, and it felt a bit like a travel. It was a great journey together with the woman in the book, and I'm greatful that I have read it!
I have pmd the next reader on the list, so it will be in the mail as soon as I get the adress!
Thanks for arranging and sending!
Journal Entry
57 by
kalise at
Linz, Oberösterreich Austria on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Book arrived safe here in Austria! Wow, it's had quite a journey so far! Looking forward to reading this novel!
Journal Entry
58 by
kalise at
Linz, Oberösterreich Austria on Wednesday, January 4, 2012
I finished the book some time before Christmas. All in all it was a good read, though probably not as good as some of his other books, which I enjoyed more. Nonetheless I found Maria's journey interesting. Interesting also that this book seems to be based on a true story.
I pmed Solskinn before Christmas, but am still waiting for a response. Will send off another pm. The book will remain safely with me until I get notice of what to do with it.
Journal Entry
59 by
wolkenklang at
Wien - irgendwo / Vienna - somewhere, Wien Austria on Monday, June 25, 2012
The book returned safely a few months ago. Thanks everyone for participating in this bookring, and I hope you enjoyed having been a part of it.