Athena is a woman born in Romania to a Roma mother, adopted as a baby by a Lebanese couple, and raised partly in Beirut and later in London. As an adult she seeks her birth mother, becomes a spiritual teacher, and attracts followers who gather to dance and worship the divine feminine. After she dies in mysterious circumstances, a writer collects the memories of those who knew her, among them her adoptive mother, a former lover, and a priest. Coelho uses these testimonies to examine charisma, faith, and what communities do with unconventional people.
A good fit for fans of Coelho and for readers who like stories assembled from different voices. It raises questions about spirituality without offering a simple answer.
Inward-looking; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Empathetic Explorer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2006
- Language
- EN
