Brida

Linda Emond's refined, elegant reading makes Coelho's most recent venture into magical realism a feast for the ears. Brida, a young Irish woman, undertakes a spiritual quest to learn what lies beyond the known dimensions of the universe. At first, Brida approaches a magus, a mysterious loner who lives in the forest, but the magus is a follower of the teachings of the sun, and it soon becomes evident that Brida needs to find someone to teach her the traditions of the moon. As Brida enters the magical world, Emond's performance enhances Coelho's detailed descriptions of the rituals of white witchcraft, its dangers, its mythologies, and its connections to other religions. Emond's forceful reading elevates the often-pedestrian storytelling to something more profound. S.J.H. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

August 25, 2008
Coelho’s brilliant tale of young Brida, an Irish girl who wishes to become a witch, is a compelling and vivid fantasy epic. Sadly, narrator Linda Emond’s uninspired and monotonous reading is a disservice to this fantastic tale. Though the story is set in Ireland during the mid-’80s, Emond makes no attempt at a regional dialect or even the slightest shift in tone for any of the characters. Her narrative voice is dull and uninspired, read with a soft whisper that will surely put most listeners to sleep before it ignites their imaginations. The story would be much better served with a narrator more willing to put their performance skills to the test and dive into the story. A Harper hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 28).

April 28, 2008
A young Dublin woman searches for her soul mate in this murky spiritual quest from popular bestselling Brazilian novelist Coelho (The Witch of Portobello
), first published in 1990 and available in English in the U.S. for the first time. Brida O'Fern, 21, discovers she has occult powers and seeks out two masters who will validate her abilities and teach her how to become a true witch. One, the Magus, twice her age, is a teacher in the Tradition of the Sun, who recognizes Brida as his own soul mate, and urges humility. The other is Wicca, her teacher of the Moon, a mature, wealthy woman who advocates senses-altering sex, and who is eager to know what the Magus, with whom she once had a relationship, sees in Brida. For her part, Brida is already in love with Lorens, a modest, unassuming physics student who gradually comes to embrace her spiritual view of the world despite his scientific background. Brida's initiation into magic involves a choice between the two men while staying true to her gift. The relationships and occult elements don't quite mix, and Coelho steers a cluttered path between Christian and pagan visions.

July 15, 2008
Masterful spiritual storyteller Coelho published "Brida" in 1990, two years following the publication of one of his most popular works, "The Alchemist". Here translated into English, "Brida" follows the mystical experiences of a young Irishwoman named Brida O'Fern as she enters the world of witchcraft. Traveling from Dublin to the wild woods, Brida searches for her first teacher, the Magus, a man who recognizes her as his soul mate. The Magus starts her on her spiritual path through a test of faith before passing her to another teacher, Wicca, who helps further develop her mystical skills. As Brida grapples with lessons challenging her to remember her past lives and find her true path, she must also deal with her current lover and her growing attraction for the Magus from the woods. Blending the beliefs of pagan and Christian religions, Coehlo pulls through the common threads of love, faith, and the journey of the soul. Devotees of his works will spark demand for this interesting novel. Recommended for popular fiction collections.Joy St. John, Henderson Dist. P.L., NV

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2008
Coelhos loyal fan base will welcome the U.S. publication of Brida, another mystical pilgrimage from the master of the genre. Readers familiar with The Alchemist (1993), The Zahir (2005), and The Witch of Portobello (2007) will recognize the common themesmysticism, discipleship, and a quest for fulfillmentthat are incandescently woven into the fabric of most of his fiction. Brida OFern, a young Irishwoman, embarks on a voyage of self-discovery, ultimately resulting in a spiritual awakening and an acceptance of her own supernatural powers. While seeking initiation into the Tradition of the Moon, an ancient Wiccan ritual, she also discovers her soul mate and learns that love is the most divinely liberating emotion to be recognized and valued on the path to true wisdom and knowledge. Slighter than some of Coelhos philosophically meatier novels, Brida is still a journey well worth taking;librarians should expect high demand.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)