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The Pilgrimage page 35!

I began reading Coehlo again and immediately found page 35 chock full 'o' thought provoking tidbits! I love the road guide's description of travel as a rebirth. I always get that feeling that the scenery is somehow MORE colorful when you are gazing at an unfamiliar landscape or that place that serves as your very own "place of retreat". Heightened senses delight in rare treats, sounds and aromas that evoke more than the everyday response. I think it is also true that we treat our travels as "episodes", not as errands, or some lesser designation reserved for humdrum chores and local haunts. The episodic design (Coehlo and Jesus love a good parable) packs much activity into a visit or expedition, perhaps there is a goal or a destination at the outset, and the trip unfolds in stages. I guess they could be chacterized typically. In this, I am starting to say that travels are like stories. Maybe the stages are as follows (?):

• Looking Ahead to the Journey: feelings could be excitement/anticipation/ambivilance/apprehension: from these feels you can explicate a backstory/reasoning behind travel/motivations
• "Dura-Journey"- my 10th grade English teacher might call this phase "the rising action" and it's all the fun you have on your trip and every moment spent getting from point A to B, etc. Sometimes the interim moments on trips are when you do a lot of learning and changing--much like Coehlo's morning ritual of practicing the yoga-like Seed Exercise. Maybe a faraway land is where you seek to find yourself, but the getting there is just as necessary to the complete idea of a "trip".
• "Homesick or Sick of Home"- at the end of a journey, you again become aware of some obligatory "outside world" beyond travel where you have a job, an empty cardboard roll on your t.p. dispenser, a daunting laundry mountain. You begin to mentally ease yourself into understanding that you must soon return to less extravagant nomadism. Perhaps you cannot wait to return home to answering machines and the people who populate your typical days. Or maybe you wish to trapse about indefintely. 

Have I mentioned yet that I notice a recurring "stages" theme in this book thus far?

These are my thoughts as I enter Stage I. The Belle is on her way down to the swampy South, Florida specifically, early Wednesday morning.

Questions to Consider

Paulo Coehlo's The Pilgrimage pgs. 1-34

1. Have you ever felt entitled to something that you did or did not receive? What made you feel this way? Has your pride ever stood in the way of potential achievements?

2. How do you feel about the character of the wife in the book so far? Does she seem less archaic and spiritualistic than the men? What will she get out of this journey in the long run?

3. The Master on the mountain denies Coehlo the sword and explains that "The road of the Tradition is not for the chosen few. It is everyone's road." What does he mean by this?

4. What is the significance of The Seed Exercise?

5. What do you make of Coehlo's explanation of the figure of the devil as described on page 24?

Just a couple of things that popped out at me in the reading... Let's get gabbing! Thoughts?

Reading Derailed by Wine Consumption...

My weekend began yesterday evening and I have to say that last night's absorption of printed word was restricted to the reading of appellations, alcohol content info, and noble grape phrases such as Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, and Nero d'Avola. Yes, the quest for knowledge was sidetracked by some adult beverages. In the mean time, here is a gorgeous picture of the opening setting for Coehlo's The Pilgrimage, the Agulhas Negras mountains of Itatiaia National Park, Brazil. Talk about using a presence of place to add to a story. Alright, alright, I'm reading...you folks do the same if you haven't already. We will reconvene later today for your feedback on the first 30 pages of the book.

Let the Pilgrimage Commence

I have successfully posted a widget on the left-hand margin of the site that will lead you to the free e-copy of Paulo Coehlo's The Pilgrimage. I'd also like to thank Catherine from Sharp Words for agreeing to engage in some friendly literary banter via Belle of the Book. Catherine, and anyone else interested in chiming in, I plan on reading about 30 pages or so. Perhaps we can stop at "The Creator and the Created"-page 34. I don't want to break off more than I can chew, with a couple other books open in front of me at this very moment.

Read on, you shining stars, and we will meet back here tomorrow at your leisure. In the mean time, I will probably post some ?s to get the conversation started. I look forward to your opinions, comments, explanations, etc!

Tonight I am reading...

and Narrative Magazine, an unpretentious labor of love from San Francisco couple Tom Jenks and Carol Edgarian. The San Francisco Chronicle gave it a glowing recommendation on March 6 saying that there is "no whiff of literary hipsterism" to turn off newcomers looking for inspiration.I was pleased as punch to find that a professor from the Florida State University English Department (I hold an English degree from FSU), Robert Olen Butler, is a contributor. His "short short stories", touted as such by the online 'zine, are titled "Little Fuckers". He paints vivid scenes of sorid sex lives, the persons who comprise the couples famous (or imfamous) in history for various reasons. A really enjoyable read!

Incidentally, Jenks and Edgarian also manage StoryQuarterly.

Exhibit A.....

Noting that I just commented on the mass popularity of Eat, Pray, Love in a recent post, I found this comic in the Books and Arts section of the SF Chronicle pretty relevant. If a supposedly complex story line can be summed up in three frames, then why would I possibly spend my valuable time on 350+ pages? My point, exactly.

We have comments!

Pretty stoked this Easter morn, but there are no fluffy bunnies, egg hunts or Cadbury cream eggs to blame for my elation. Actually, I'd like to thank Aart for leaving up the 1st comment on my blog (besides the first post's comment from my boyfriend). He wrote:

Hello!

I'm a big fan of Paulo Coelho! You will love this! He's the first best-selling
author to be distributing for free his works on his blog:
www.paulocoelhoblog.com

Have a nice day!

Aart

Thanks for getting the conversation started, sir! Visit anytime and thanks for throwing us a link to Paulo Coehlo's blog.  Currently, P.C. has a completely free electronic version of The Pilgrimage up and available for perusal. Apparently, all of his works translated into English will be offered as well over the coming months. Anyone wanna read The Pilgrimage and discuss it through threaded convo on the blog? If anyone comments in the affirmative, then we will make it happen-- as many or as few of you interested.

Eat, Pray, Love (d it or Hated it?)

Chances are that you've probably seen this book somewhere in your recent travels. It's Elizabeth Gilbert's nonfiction account of her globe trotting odyssey for culinary ecstasy, spiritual fulfillment,  and an ultimate sense of purpose. This book has been on the New York Times bestseller list for over a year and EVERY damn which way I turn, someone has got their nose in this book. I have heard VERY mixed reviews about the book. Some say it is ineffectual, contrived, too idealistic. From what I've heard so far, I am not at all eager to pick up a copy. Can someone share some redeeming moments from the book? Did anyone feel spiritually enlightened, empowered as a female?  Convince me that this "must-read" isn't just this year's "Davinci Code" for the socially conscious, Whole Foods Market shopper set. Or, to the contrary, please feel free to go on a tirade, telling me what a stinky piece of narrative this is and how you could barely turn the pages for your suppression of the nausea felt at being exposed to overly "chick-litted" prose. Basically, I need feedback people. What is the appeal of Eat, Pray, Love and why has it been so wildly popular?

I appreciate kelly l's online geist for this older post on the subject and the insights of the commenters

Busy week...mostly reading mags.

That's right. I read magazines, too. Here are a few of the glossy monthlies that I have been toting in my purse to and from work all week....TGIF!

Bookmarks Magazine-

I noticed the colorful cover and tag line - "For Everyone Who Hasn't Read Everything" and knew I had to pick up a copy. I magazine is actually bi-monthly and is chock full of book reviews-over 500 per issue and includes the skinny on new releases and works "in the works" or hot off the presses from notable authors. There is a classic author profiled in every issue as well. Yippee- I got D.H. Lawrence! Also of interest to me is the amount of reader input goes into the content as opposed to just relaying the thoughts of critics. I love the "Have you Read?" department where everyday readers defend their own favorite booklists.  Some books that caught my attention in the March/April issue and may soon join the ranks of my bookshelf were:

Of Love and Other Demons by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
March by Geraldine Brooks
The Gravedigger's Daughter by Joyce Carol Oates
The Rainbow by D.H. Lawrence

Ode Magazine-
This magazine has a lot going for it, in particular, its upbeat attitude! Intelligent optimists agree, the publication out of Mill Valley, CA  promotes socially conscious living, personal fulfillment, and doing things that are good for the soul, both yours and the souls of others. I really enjoyed their cover story on revamps to the despised fast-food industry that are making eating options healthier and sustainability a top priority. This magazine is not about finger-pointing either. They objectively gave credit to the McDonald's corporation for taking its Chipotle restaurants in a new more responsible direction. They also gave props to the Burgerville chain stores in the Pac Northwest that use a lot of local fresh ingredients in their meals. Love that place! Next time you see Ode, also grab a copy for the simple fact that Paulo Coehlo writes a monthly column.

Natural Solutions-

The healing foods information in this magazine is really invaluable. Since starting to read this title regularly, I have cut out a LOT of hydrogenated oils from my diet, started drinking more water, and been introduced to a whole new world of food/spice options. I'm talking chard, brussel sprouts, yerba mate, quinoa, tumeric, cumin, etc. This month I really tuned in to the articles about "green" spring cleaning products, unique whole grains to try, and finding the best multivitamin for you. I figure that if I incorporate at least one new healthy tip into my regimen each other, I can't help but feel better and better every day.

I'm an Author.....no big deal

In case anyone is interested in traipsing through my blustery city by the Bay, San Francisco. Allow me to travel in your pocket and let you in on some secret restaurant nooks and dive-bar crannies that guarantee an insider's good time. So, I won't literally be against your hip, but my written word can guide you through your town travels in the form of the 2008 Not for Tourists Guide to San Francisco.

I served as a contributing writer and editor and thought that was pretty damn exciting in itself. Then, I "Amazon'd" myself, that is, I looked up my name on that megaloid online purveyor of stuff. And yes, I am listed as an "author". Whoa! This feels electric....

Thanks NFT for allowing me to talk about an insanely fun city and feel famous for it! If you'd like to check out NFT guidebooks for destinations like NYC, Seattle, Philly, Chicago, etc, then head to the Not For Tourists website for maps and info galore. Happy travels!