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Eleven Minutes
Reviewed by Ms Wagieda Suliman from Cape Town, South Africa on 13 January 2004
883 of 1753 people found the following review helpful:
Right on par with expectation. I have read The Alchemist, Veronika decides to die, The Fifth Mountain and this latest release.
The Alchemist made an impression on me, The Fifth Mountain moved me, but Eleven Minutes inspired. Paulo dares to venture into the world of sexuality and passion on another level. The idea of "sacred sex" in a philosophical context leaves one with an awakening and a sense of wonderment. I perceive that men who read this book might be encouraged to attempt to understand the female body and psyche which is collectively required for a rich fullfilled 11 Minutes or so. Men would be inspired to challenge the author's theory. Women may be inspired and encouraged to explore and express their sexuality but at the same time to expect more than just the physical interaction during passion. The plot is a simple love story, but like the other titles I have referred to above the subliminal messages are more powerful and effective in that it leaves you with a sense of "I deserve more than just 11 minutes". The reader will be challenged to seek for "sacred sex" as opposed to a mindless encounter with a partner. This book explicitly explores nuances and avenues possibly not considered before...sexual passion, drive and desire.
It is a book that you would want to read from cover to cover and immediately discuss and debate the content with a partner or close friend. A must read for anyone over 30 who is mature enough to deal with the harsh reality and brave enough to explore the possibilities....
I await with anticipation the next release of this brilliant author.
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Eleven Minutes by Paulo Cuelho
Reviewed by Macdonald from Johannesburg, South Africa on 19 March 2013
This is the best book i have read after the Monk Who Sold his Ferrari. Paulo Cuelho really wrote a book that should serve as an inspiration to all and i will recommend the book to anyone who plans to turn their life around.
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Eleven Minutes
Reviewed by Ms Cindy McGeer from Gauteng, South Africa on 08 June 2006
779 of 1582 people found the following review helpful:
True Paulo Coelho style. Not only a brilliant read but an insightful look at the act of pure sex for the sake of it.
Initially when Maria arrives in Geneva and finds herself penniless she turns to prostitution as a means of making financial ends meet. She soon makes enough money to live comfortably and concentrates on saving to buy her family a farmland back home in Brazil.
Knowing that she has saved more than enough money to buy the farm means she no longer needs to sell her body and she is faced with going back to Brazil, continuing her Genevan lifestyle or pursuing her love interest in a young artist. Does love exist, is she capable of feeling anything from the act of sex? Is her young artist capable of making love to her soul and not simply her body?
A moving, wholly enjoyable read which you are bound to remember for a long time.
In particular I loved the Plato Analogy to Love as explained to Maria by her young artist during one of their fist walks.
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Life, love, sex and the human condition
Reviewed by Chuma Banjwa from Cape Town, South Africa on 06 July 2007
554 of 1142 people found the following review helpful:
The author subtly challenges or questions human relationships and how they affect how we ultimately relate to sex. This book is more than just about sex, or the 'eleven minutes' it's about the human condition.
I'd never really fully interrogated my conceptions about sex and sexuality until I read this book.
Paulo presents an engrossing piece of anthropology, written candidly without compromising sensitivity or creativity. Beautiful.
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