Brida (en español)

Coelho and Wicca

I bought this book 'coz so many people recommended it to me. Yet, I was disappointed with it by chapter 4. The story is about Brida, an Irish 21-yr. old woman searching for her spirituality beyond the constrains of the Christian society she lives in. She tries to find it in magick and the old Irish/Celtic religion. She encounters Wicca, a character named after the Wicca religion, which teaches Brida about, what else!, Wicca or the 'Tradition of the Moon.' (For me, Wicca and the Tradition of the Moon is one and the same as Wiccans celebrate Esbats.)

One of the things that shocked me in this story was that Coehlo mixed Wiccan traditions - the rites, use of athames and tarot, astral projection, etc. - with Christian concepts - such as the Bible and divinity - making the reader wonder about the author's capacity to tell a story and make it believable. (Did he really do research?) For example, Brida goes through the rite of initiation into the Tradition of the Moon (Wicca religion) on the Spring Equinox. During the ritual, Wicca (the High Priestess) blesses them in the name of the Virgin Mary and her son Jesus. I still have to find TRUE Wiccans doing something like on Ostara (Spring Equinox). You don't hear Wiccans quoting from the Bible as they did in this story.

Another thing that disappointed me was the lack of development of the characters. Brida could have died earlier in the book, and I would have cared. There were glimpses here and there of some of the characters, but nothing that made me care about them and what happened to them. Finally, the dialogs were 'dry' and lacking - not reflecting how people really talk.

All in all, I felt cheated. I've seen stories better written by authors who have done better research. Besides, I feel that Coehlo tried to make a mockery out of the Wicca religion. You might like this story if you're a Coelho fan. (I know there's a 'cult of personality' around him.) Anyone else - specially pagans, Goddess followers and Wiccans -, stay away from this book.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

AMAZING

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ! I will never get rid of it. This book has a permanent spot on my book shelf.

A Sensually & Hypnotic Tale.

This story was very fantastic and enjoyable. Also a quick read. So the book is a real page turner. Not a waste of time at all.The tale is very unique,and beautifully written. From all the characters senses, details and setting.

This is the first time I've read a novel from Paulo Coelho.
Brida is a young female character who experiences much growth & change through out the story both with her 2 mentors Wicca and Magus. Many of the secrets of the universe she learns are passed onto the audience simultaneously. A great fantasy with a twist of erotics blended beautifully well together.

A True Spiritual Search for Love

Brida is one of a Trilogy on Women.Coelho's knowledge of Secret Societies, High Spiritualism, Deep Faith enables him to narrate Brida's search of her companion soul. It takes her from a simple student to a search into White Magic, as she initiates in the Cult of the Moon. She meets the Magi an initiate of the Cult of the Sun.He shows her the way to experience real love and universal harmony. He knows that Brida is his soulmate but will not let her know but does show her the way to find that out. Finally Brida does get the gift and finds out but must make a decission...for you to find out.

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