The Fifth Mountain - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060736275 ISBN 13: 9780060736279

Synopsis

From literary phenomenon Paulo Coelho, one of the most popular writers in the world (15 million books sold worldwide), comes a magical tale that follows in the tradition of his international bestseller The Alchemist – a powerful retelling of the biblical story of Elijah.

Paulo Coelho’s brilliant new novel tells the story of Elijah who, at 23, faces both lost earthly love and the ultimate trial of shaken faith – doubt about the very existence of God.

Set in the Middle East during the turbulent 9th century, The Fifth Mountain is inspired by an event in Coelho’s life that opened his eyes to the reality that tragedy is not a punishment but a challenge. It begins when the beautiful, evil Phoenician Princess Jezebel, wife of Israel’s King, decrees the death of all prophets who refuse to bow down to the pagan god Baal. Elijah, ordered by an angel of God to flee the country for Zarephath, takes refuge in this strange land with a young widow and her son. When Elijah finds love with her, it seems that perhaps, after all, God has intended for his faithful, willing ascetic prophet to have some human happiness. But this happiness is short lived, and when Elijah sees his dreams shattered, he must once again find the strength to create a new life for himself. A gripping and moving story of how one man surmounts tragedy and inspires a city that has been destroyed by war to rebuild itself. The Fifth Mountain is Paulo Coelho at his best.

About this title

Review

“Coelho exhibits an amazing virtue of transparency that makes his writing like a path of energy that inadvertently leads readers to themselves, towards their mysterious and faraway souls.”
– Figaro Litteraire, France

“ Paulo Coelho represents the legend of the wise storyteller”
– Corriere della Sera, Italy

From the Back Cover

In 'The Fifth Mountain' Paulo Coelho takes us back to the 9th century, to the turbulent Middle East, where the prophet Elijah is struggling to keep his faith alive in a world of constant upheaval, tyrannical royalty and pagan gods.

Forced to flee his home and country, Elijah eventually finds refuge and love, only to have his dreams shattered once more. This is a powerful retelling of the story of a young man who has toface both the loss of his physical, earthly love and the ultimate trialof shaken faith – doubt about the very existence of God.

With his rare talent for bringing a story alive, Paulo Coelho turns this Biblical parable into an inspiring and moving story of how one man surmounts tragedy and comes to see it not as a punishment but as a challenge.

In the colourful and chaotic world of the Old Testament, the universal themes of how faith and love can overcome suffering are vividly evoked. This magical tale about keeping faith alive shows Paulo Coelho at his best.

“Coelho exhibits an amazing virtue of transparency that makes his writing like a path of energy that inadvertently leads readers to themselves, toward their mysterious and faraway souls.”
LE FIGARO, FRANCE

“Paulo Coelho represents the legend of the wise storyteller.”
CORRIERE DELLA SERA, ITALY

“His magic irradiates, and after reading his books one feels happy.”
EL ESPECTADOR, COLUMBIA

Edition details

• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0060736275
• ISBN 13: 9780060736279
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback