by the river piedra i sat down and wept

By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept is the first Paulo Coehlo book I’ve ever read. I think most people get their first taste of Coehlo via The Alchemist, and I’m not sure why I chose to read this book first, but I’m definitely glad I did. Click through to read the full review.

The River Piedra is a story about Pilar, a student in Zaragoza, Spain, and her week-long journey of love and self-discovery along with her childhood sweetheart, now a spiritual leader. After an eleven-year hiatus, Pilar accepts her friend’s invitation to attend one of his speeches in Madrid. Having been in love with Pilar all along, he invites Pilar to travel with him to France for the celebration of the Immaculate Conception and she accepts. On their journey, Pilar confronts the cynicism and apathy that has worked its way into her life and embraces her spiritual side, reigniting her amorous feelings for her friend. The result is a beautiful love story intertwined with spiritual awareness.

Some of my favorite quotes:

Pitiful is the person who is afraid of taking risks. Perhaps this person will never be disappointed or disillusioned; perhaps she won’t suffer the way people do when they have a dream to follow. But when that person looks back — and at some point everyone looks back — she will hear her heart saying, “What have you done with the miracles that God planted in your days? What have you done with the talents God bestowed on you? You buried yourself in a cave because you were fearful of losing those talents. So this is your heritage: the certainty that you wasted your life.”

I observed the woman I had been up until then: weak but trying to give the impression of strength. Fearful of everything but telling herself it wasn’t fear — it was the wisdom of someone who knew what reality was. Putting up shutters in front of windows to keep the joy of the sun from entering — just so the sun’s rays wouldn’t fade my old furniture.

The few people there in the bar must have been thinking that all they were seeing was just a kiss. They didn’t know that this kiss stood for my whole life — and his life, as well. The life of anyone who has waited, dreamed, and searched for their true path. The moment of that kiss contained every happy moment I had ever lived.

God hides the fires of hell within paradise.

I will not talk to my own darkness anymore, I promised myself… A fall from the third floor hurts as much as a fall from the hundredth. If I have to fall, may it be from a high place.

Obviously, Coehlo writes beautifully. If you’re looking for a quick, entertaining, and fulfilling read, pick up this book. I know I’ll be reading much more from Paulo Coehlo in the near future.