The Winner Stands Alone by Paulo Coelho

This is very different from any of his previous books. A psychological thriller based at the Cannes Film Festival, Paulo seems to hate everyone and everything about the festival. He doesn’t say anything positive about any of the characters and they are utterly pathetic. The book was so depressing, not inspiring, with no silver lining at the end. “Vanity all is Vanity”

Igor is a psychotic Russian executive who has everything and comes to the Cannes film festival in pursuit of his ex-wife, Ewa, who ran off with Hamid, an Arab clothes designer. Igor kills a few people and sends messages to Ewa on her cell phone, believing she will understand that he will do anything to get her back. The story is supposed to show us the emptiness of pursuing fame and fortune at all cost.

I did not like this book; not because it wasn’t well written but because I think the message got lost in all the negativity, hatred and anger that were the focus of the characters. His disdain for the rich (The Superclass), the media, film producers and super models is overwhelming. Paulo Coelho is a member of The Superclass, how does he separate himself from what he describes in the book.

I was interested to see how the book would end but overall not my idea of entertainment/good read.