“The Winner Stands Alone,” Paulo Coelho

  

   Unlike the other two books of his that I have read, “The Winner Stands Alone” tackles a seemingly superficial subject: the movie industry and the world of celebrities.

   The story is set in Cannes, France, during the infamous film festival and opens with Igor, a Russian man determined to win back the love of his ex-wife, Ewa. Upon Ewa’s departure from his life and their marriage, he promises that he will destroy whole worlds until he gets her back.

   The first world he destroys is that of a Portuguese craft seller. The second, a famous film distributor. The third, an up-and-coming movie producer. The fourth, a famous actor. Each time he destroys a world, he send Ewa a text message telling her indirectly what he has done. Ewa, terrified because she knows what her ex-husband is capable of and unable to, for whatever reason, confide in her current husband, sees the texts and then ignores them.

   The novel culminates at a huge party for the stars and producers, which Igor, Ewa, and her husband all attend. Ewa, who still hasn’t confided in her husband, lets Igor lead them outside to ‘talk.’

   Although seemingly a superficial topic, what “The Winner Stands Alone” ultimately deals with is the price we pay for following our dreams, and whether the price is worth the outcome.

   Coelho delves into the dark world of actresses and models, and everything they have to do—the hoops they have to jump through—in order to achieves their goals, and the aspects of themselves and their lives that they sacrifice in the process.

   His insinuation that they perhaps sacrifice too much, or that their dream isn’t worth the sacrifice, is proven not only by the ends that four of them meet, but also by his lurid and sometimes shocking description of a world that many of us will never witness nor be a part of. A world that contains empty lives, seemingly vibrant careers with disillusioned persons leading them, and material things emphasized while worthwhile things, i.e. relationships, love; are ignored.

   Coelho has once again shown a depiction of life as we have seen or have known it, and reveals what he believes to be the truly significant parts of it.

   Following your dreams is important as long as they are worthwhile dreams that will fulfill and enrich your life, and not leave you empty inside and always wanting more.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *