By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept: A Novel of Forgiveness

Paulo Coelho

Oct 2009 · Sold by Harper Collins

About this ebook

From Paulo Coelho, author of the international bestseller The Alchemist, comes a poignant, richly poetic story that reflects the depth of love and life.

Rarely does adolescent love reach its full potential, but what happens when two young lovers reunite after eleven years? Time has transformed Pilar into a strong and independent woman, while her devoted childhood friend has grown into a handsome and charismatic spiritual leader. She has learned well how to bury her feelings . . . and he has turned to religion as a refuge from his raging inner conflicts.

Now they are together once again, embarking on a journey fraught with difficulties, as long-buried demons of blame and resentment resurface after more than a decade. But in a small village in the French Pyrenees, by the waters of the River Piedra, a most special relationship will be reexamined in the dazzling light of some of life's biggest questions.

Ratings and reviews

Plot of the story is two childhood buddies reunited after they got transformed into a charismatic spiritual guy and an independent woman who lost her Catholic faith in her childhood. 'Love is a trap. When it appears, we only see its light, not shadows' from having a view point like this, Piler, gains the courage to listen to her heart, open the window of her heart for love. In a French village, by the waters of the river Piedra, Piler and her childhood friend discovers their destiny to hold hands for lifetime. He gave up his decision to devote his life for priesthood, while she regains her faith and dares to love him. It was a quick read book and gladly fits into the happy ending category books. Personally, it was not a too much satisfying book. It might be out of the expectations I had in the writer.

It's a nice narration of events but not everyone can read it directly. For example- for the Indian audience who aren't familiar with the religious aspects of Christianity will have to do some homework before reading it or while reading the novel. But overall I liked it, it has been written very beautifully. :)

Love the way it's written as being a teen we teens mire oftenly dont like to read abt realigioun btt the way this book has it its truly amazing.. Beautifully written

About the author

One of the most influential writers of our time, Paulo Coelho is the author of thirty international bestsellers, including The Alchemist, Warrior of the Light, Brida, Veronika Decides to Die, and Eleven Minutes. He is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters and a United Nations Messenger of Peace. Paulo is the recipient of 115 international prizes and awards, among them, the Chevalier de l'Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur (Legion of Honor). Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1947, he soon discovered his vocation for writing. He worked as a director, theater actor, songwriter, and journalist. In 1986, a special meeting led him to make the pilgrimage to Saint James Compostela (in Spain). The Road to Santiago was not only a common pilgrimage but a turning point in his existence. A year later, he wrote The Pilgrimage, an autobiographical novel that is considered the beginning of his literary career. He lives in Geneva, Switzerland.