The Zahir: A Novel of Obsession

The Zahir: A Novel of Obsession
Paulo Coelho

‘The Zahir’, Paulo Coelho's novel, now available in ebook , incorporates exclusive new content including an extra section containing interviews with Paulo and plenty of information for those for whom the book just wasn't enough.It begins with a glimpse or a passing thought. It ends in obsession.One day a renowned author discovers that his wife, a war correspondent, has disappeared leaving no trace. Though time brings more success and new love, he remains mystified – and increasingly fascinated – by her absence. Was she kidnapped, blackmailed, or simply bored with their marriage? The unrest she causes is as strong as the attraction she exerts.His search for her – and for the truth of his own life – takes him from France to Spain, Croatia and, eventually, the bleakly beautiful landscape of Central Asia. More than that, it takes him from the safety of his world to a totally unknown path, searching for a new understanding of the nature of love and the power of destiny.With ‘The Zahir’, Paulo Coelho demonstrates his powerful and captivating storytelling.

The Zahir

A Novel of Obsession

Paulo

Coelho

Author of the alchemist

Translated from the Portuguese by Margaret Jull Costa

Dedication

In the car, I mentioned that I had finished the first draft of my book. Later, as we set out together to climb a mountain in the Pyrenees which we both consider to be sacred and where we have already shared some extraordinary moments, I asked if she wanted to know the main theme of the book or its title; she would love to, she said, but, out of respect for my work, she had, until then, asked nothing, she had simply felt glad – very glad.

So I told her the title and the main theme. We continued walking in silence and, on the way back, we heard a noise; the wind was getting up, passing above the leafless trees and coming down towards us, causing the mountain once more to reveal its magic and its power.

Suddenly the snow began to fall. I stopped and stood contemplating that moment: the snowflakes falling, the grey sky, the forest, the woman by my side. The woman who has always been by my side.

I felt like telling her then, but decided to let her find out when she read these pages for the first time. This book is dedicated to you, Christina, my wife.

The author

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who turn to you.

Amen

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

Luke 15:4

Table of Contents

Title Page (#ubf08aa2d-93df-575e-bf32-378805d1262f)

Dedication (#ub9de4682-be43-5a20-b17f-adc83254706a)

Epigraph (#ud23965f7-1602-5461-932d-1466e13b95a0)

Ithaca (#uc5346381-6273-5645-920d-191a2ae17044)

Prologues (#ue2223311-6ef1-50cd-ab03-0d58fd020f20)

I am a Free Man (#uad4ded5d-04d1-5666-852c-5f54757c6ed7)

Her name is Esther… (#u8364fa48-326b-551d-bacb-1fa70cba13a0)

I immediately come under suspicion and am… (#u6ae317dd-c85c-5462-99ac-61aa30ad6901)

I find her comment absurd… (#u14dfb97f-e2c4-5d24-b45e-d6582d9875a3)

‘What is this Favour Bank’… (#ua5bd6e55-23e2-50c4-95d1-10d835ae1cb5)

The publisher places a lot of deposits… (#u91805a3d-3969-55e6-af28-672a5a02bb84)

‘What are you saying’… (#u4e6376ac-1a5d-5e2d-bfcd-df8c82404874)

Today… (#u060358e9-b63c-54c0-88b5-df1ae6fb10b9)

Han’s question (#u86fba937-7382-511d-b180-1677bc0a0e14)

In Buenos Aires… (#u94c5c568-b99b-5051-ab64-e0383823ab31)

The following year was a Holy Year… (#ub97f3722-c48b-5665-be83-e7f41e3b389a)

A Time to Rend and a Time… (#u2bd739c4-8aa0-5507-9ddd-52674971321a)

‘When people praise us… (#u64f6dac3-87cc-5067-82cf-1d4f1d998726)

Looking around at the crowd gathered… (#u6824f9f1-e2f0-5904-8ebe-85381290887e)

“‘Don’t worry”… (#ue8a04665-9625-5cb9-bfd2-b9124649ab1c)

The following morning… (#litres_trial_promo)

People are waiting patiently for someone to… (#litres_trial_promo)

‘Their eyes really are different… (#litres_trial_promo)

I had been a regular customer at… (#litres_trial_promo)

There are two kinds of world:… (#litres_trial_promo)

‘I assume that… (#litres_trial_promo)

The owner of the Armenian restaurant had… (#litres_trial_promo)

‘When I was fifteen… (#litres_trial_promo)

I had arranged to meet the American… (#litres_trial_promo)

When I regained consciousness… (#litres_trial_promo)

Two days later… (#litres_trial_promo)