Aleph

Aleph
Paulo Coelho

Another stunning novel by the author of The Alchemist.

Aleph marks a return to Paulo Coelho’s beginnings. In a frank and surprising personal story, one of the world’s most beloved authors embarks on a remarkable and transformative journey of self-discovery.

Facing a grave crisis of faith, and seeking a path of spiritual renewal and growth, Paulo decides to start over: to travel, to experiment, to reconnect with people and the world. On this journey through Europe, Africa, and Asia, he will again meet Hilalthe woman he loved 500 years beforean encounter that will initiate a mystical voyage through time and space, through past and present, in search of himself.

Aleph is an encounter with our fears and our sins; a search for love and forgiveness, and the courage to confront the inevitable challenges of life.

Paulo Coelho

Aleph

Translated from the Portuguese by Margaret Jull Costa

Dedication

For J. who keeps me walking,

S. J. who continues to protect me,

Hilal, for her words of forgiveness in the church in Novosibirsk.

O Mary, conceived without sin,

pray for those who turn to you.

Amen.

A certain nobleman went into a far country to

receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

Luke 19:12

Epigraph

The Aleph was about two to three centimetres in diameter, but all of cosmic space was there, with no diminution in size. Each thing was infinite, because I could clearly see it from every point on the universe.

Jorge Luis Borges, ‘The Aleph’

Thou knowest all – I cannot see.

I trust I shall not live in vain,

I know that we shall meet again

In some divine eternity.

Oscar Wilde, ‘The True Knowledge’

Contents

Cover (#uc187f2cf-e703-537e-ab88-f70c4eeb1196)

Title Page (#u51a3a933-b2d9-59fc-a1cb-05e3ca83366b)

Dedication

Epigraph

King of My Kingdom

Chinese Bamboo

The Stranger’s Lantern

If a Cold Wind Blows

Sharing Souls

9,288

Hilal’s Eyes

The Ipatiev House

The Aleph

Dreamers Can Never Be Tamed

Like Tears in the Rain

The Chicago of Siberia

The Path to Peace

The Ring of Fire

Believe Even When No One Else Believes in You

Tea Leaves

The Fifth Woman

Ad extirpanda

Neutralising Energy without Moving a Muscle