Eleven Minutes

One of the books I read last year was Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho, described by Booklist as “a gripping exploration of the potentially sacred nature of sex within the context of love.” Personally, I've always loved Paulo Coelho’s work. His voice, his storytelling, and his ability to present unique perspectives resonate with me in every book he writes. While Eleven Minutes was engaging and thought-provoking, I wouldn’t call it my favorite Coelho book. That said, I did find its premise fascinating, and I finally understood the meaning behind the title. The title Eleven Minutes refers to Maria’s observation, as the protagonist, that the actual act of having sex takes about 11 minutes—an intriguing detail that adds a layer of realism and reflection to the story’s exploration of intimacy and love.

The book centers on Maria, a young Brazilian woman who ends up working as a prostitute in Geneva, and her journey of self-discovery, emotional awakening, and understanding the connection between physical desire and emotional love. Through Maria’s experiences, Coelho delves into the complexities of relationships, love, and the search for meaning in human connections. He manages to approach taboo topics with sensitivity and philosophical depth, which is one of the trademarks of his writing.

My favorite passage of the book was this: “He should know that the great aim of every human being is to understand the meaning of total love. Love is not to be found in someone else, but in ourselves; We simply awaken it. But in order to do that, we need the other person. The universe only makes sense when we have someone to share our feelings with.” This perspective gave me something to reflect on—I hadn’t thought about love in that way before.

One of the standout quotes from the book for me was: “A writer once said that it is not time that changes man, nor knowledge; the only thing that can change someone's mind is love.” Of course, the writer who said that was none other than Paulo Coelho himself! His ability to weave profound truths into his storytelling is part of what makes him so memorable.

While this may not have been my favorite of his works, Eleven Minutes still offered a deeply philosophical exploration of human desires and relationships, and I appreciated how Coelho challenged me to think differently about intimacy and connection. If you enjoy books that examine love and the human condition with a spiritual lens, this one is worth reading.”