Writer :Paulo Coelho

Price :Rs. 325

Rating :7/10

The grass is greener on the other side. This is an old proverb which has stood the test of time. A novel based on this theme is the Paulo Coelho's The Winner Stand Alone. Paulo Coelho, the master storyteller, has again struck it. The novel was originally published in Portuguese under the title "O Vencedor está Só". 

The novel revolved around the five main protagonists-Igor, Ewa, Hamid Hussein, Gabriela and Jasmine. Igor is a ruthless businessman who wants to win back the love of his life, Ewa. Ewa is a strong willed woman who is in love with Hamid Hussein the Avon grade fashion designer. Igor destroys the life of some unknown people so as to send messages to Ewa and ultimately to get her back. There is the story of struggling actor, Gabriela and upcoming model, Jasmine. 

The story took place within a period of 28 hours. It started at 3.14 am and ended at 7.55 am. Time wise the events occurred at a short interval. Due to the shortness of timeline the pace of the story is rapid. Everyone in the story seemed to be in a rush.  The setting of the novel was the Cannes film festivals. During the festival many high flyers of different background and myriad interests descend on the small town of Cannes in the southern France. The characteristics of many people like the film producers, distributors, film makers, models, business tycoon, industrialists and actors are vividly described in this book. "Everyone behaves as if they were terribly important, apart from the people who really are important; they're much politer, they don't need to prove anything to anyone." How true these words from the novels are. Paulo has done an extensive researched into how the world of cinema operate. Apart from being a master narrator, he is also a great researcher. This novel is a testament to this little facet of the novelist. Further, I am completely awe at the proficiency of the storytelling by Paulo. The description of the scene where Hamid Hussein die is a remarkable piece of writings.  

Another truth is that we think that we, the human, are destroying this planet earth. Nothing could be far from the truth. "The planet is, was and always will be stronger than us. We can't destroy it; if we overstep the mark, the planet will simply erase us from its surface and carry on existing.Why don't they start talking about of letting the planet destroy us?" 

I will suggest everyone who desire to spend time with a good book to read this novel. It is fine piece of art.