The Valkyries

The Valkyries is the story of Paulo and Chris's forty-day journey through the
Mojave Desert. Paulo, it appears, has come to the scorching desert with a noble goal
in mind: he wishes to speak with his Angel, a mythical creature often mentioned but
never seen. And the fact that he eventually completes this impossible task with a
little help from modern-day Valkyries forms the core of the story, which is well
presented in the novel's 245 pages.

The Valkyries, a group of leather-clad, motorcycle-riding American women, are used

as a perfect foil to overlook appearances, overcome our irrational fears and
apprehensions, and believe in the truthfulness of our dreams. Paulo writes every
sentence with the sole intention of inspiring others to believe in their beliefs and
traditions, even in the face of the harshest cynicism or resistance. He has used his
own wife as a cynic, who initially refuses to accept the possibility of an angel, but
soon becomes a medium herself to gain better access to the mind's hidden
recesses.

Under the guise of a magical fantasy, The Valkyries exemplifies the best way to
live: by having faith in one's own abilities and thoughts. And, here, Paulo takes the
lead by not only indulging unabashedly in traditional rituals, without fear of
repercussions, but also by exposing the darkest years of his life, his innermost
feelings, and troubled intimacy with his wife, with a bravery that few of the men
could ever muster.

Coelho wrote the novel in third person, but he managed to persuade me that the
story is a true account of his own life. He has presented himself and his wife as the
main protagonists, giving it the distinct flavour of a brief autobiography, focusing
on only 40 days spent in Mojave.

The Valkyries is indeed such a gem, rich in simplicity, honesty and conviction in one’s
beliefs!

I would recommend this book to readers between the age of 13-20 years.