To everyone around her, Linda seems to be living a fairy tale; successful in her thirties, she’s married to a loving husband, the mother of two children, and an accomplished journalist admired for her savvy reporting. The ease and privilege of her lifestyle makes her the envy of many.
But one day, a routine interview with a famous writer changes everything. Linda begins to examine her life more deeply and is surprised to find a profound sadness lurking beneath her impeccable façade. Despite what she has, Linda is terrified of taking. When depression sets in, nothing seems to help. Nothing until a chance run-in with a former boyfriend sparks a fire that gives her life the meaning it’s been lacking.
Linda becomes addicted to the rush that comes from living out her greatest fantasies with this impossible affair. But when that addiction threatens to take over the rest of her life, she will have to confront the darkest of human emotions and make a choice.
YEAR OF PUBLICATION:
2006
PAGES:
248
RIGHTS SOLD:
29 languages
“A novel that sews delicate issues such as depression, infidelity routine and marriage, but sprinkled by the characteristic mysticism of that wizard of word.”
- O Globo Extra
“Coelho has a brilliant gift of reading women’s hearts.”
- Hankook Ilbo
“I’m constantly in touch with my readers via social networks and I noticed several comments surrounding depression. At first I would post about the topic, and then anonymously, within threads, asked people to share their problems with me. Much to my surprise, people did not talk about illness, but rather betrayal. Without realizing, a common pattern starting forming and a rich idea morphed into the idea for a book.”
- Paulo Coelho
Will I survive? I ask, now that there is no going back.
Of course I will. I’ve survived storms before.
You don’t choose your life; it chooses you.