Aleph by Paulo Coelho

I got this book because I recognized the author's name, even though I've never read the Alchemist. Maybe I should have done that.

At first the basic concept intrigued me, I liked the idea of spiritualist and it seemed more esoteric instead of straight forward and sappy. However, as the book went on the worse the writing got and the less I enjoyed it. I confused at the beginning because I couldn't tell if this was a novel (which I had assumed), a biography or some fictional retelling.

The story revolves around 3 characters, Paulo (who's name is mentioned only once), Yao and Hilal. I kind of liked the ensemble because it didn't really fit into anything I'm familiar with. But as the story went on the Author's character was less and less likeable, and not in a good way that's appropriate for a villain.

The author has half recollections of his past lives and is also 59, and despite that he doesn't seem as wise as he should be. He goes out of character just to get one of the characters annoyed or jealous, he talks about how the universe is one whole being and yet is sometimes inconsiderate. How could this character possibly know his past lives (and have a soul over a 100 or 200 years of age) and yet act this immature? Let alone be 59.

Yao actually mentions once about how he made comments that were inappropriate, so I liked that, but his whole striving for spiritual growth felt shallow, focusing on having his spirit grow and yet be oddly aloof and inconsiderate of the feelings of those around him. The character also pushes away Hilal who loves him and wants to make love to him, but the Author doesn't reciprocate because he's shallow, and yet he has no problems stringing her around and playing around with love words and manipulating her to forgive him for what he did in a past life, all while being content at how faithful he is to his wife (who he says will tell everything when the journey is over). I would've liked it more if he said he was faithful but ended up struggling with that and wanted to fool around with her, that would've been at least interesting, nuanced and more realistic.

There's also a scene or two that are supposed to be profound yet utterly fail, especially the scene where he's in the hotel room and Hilal has him under violin like a gun.

There's also a confusing ensemble going on other than the 3 main character. He's on a trip to attend book signing sessions, so he has an interpretor (Yao), and a bunch of publishers and editors and their wives and it feels odd. By the time I really wanted to put the book I only had 25% of it left (which is at the scene where he's in the hotel after Lake Baikal).

I'm usually content what what I've spent my time on even if I don't enjoy it. This is not one of those times. Might still read The Alchemist though.