Hippie

LoveReading Says

Hippie is a spiritual journey of self-discovery. This autobiographical account of Paulo Coelho’s nomadic past is written in the third person as if it’s fiction, with the author drawing upon his own experiences on the hippie trail in the 1970s. The book focuses on a young Brazilian, Paulo, and his Dutch companion, Karla, who are travelling on a Magic Bus heading to Kathmandu, trying to define their place in the world.

The author also gives voices to other characters, reflecting the diversity of those looking for adventure, spiritual enlightenment or an alternative lifestyle with few restrictions. At times, Hippie reads like a literary travelogue through Europe towards Nepal, with its vivid descriptions of people, places and cultures, evoking a great sense of place.

And at other times, it reads like a guidebook of self-exploration. This is a book about liberation and freedom, set at a time where there was no political correctness to stifle people’s thoughts, actions and choices. Hippie is a nostalgic look at the drug-fuelled hippie culture, but also a snapshot of past memories that have shaped the author’s writing and outlook on life. Certainly an intriguing read.

Reviewed by Victoria Goldman
Victoria Goldman has always had a passion for reading and writing, with a childhood dream of becoming a crime fiction author.
More reviews by Victoria Goldman

About Hippie

A journey to the past. A map for the future.Drawing on the rich experience of his own life, bestselling author Paulo Coelho relives the dreams of a generation that longed for peace and challenged the established social order.In Hippie, he tells the story of Paulo, a skinny Brazilian with a goatee, learning about himself by exploring the world.Travelling on the 'Death Train to Bolivia', on to Peru, Paulo hitchhikes through Chile and Argentina and into Amsterdam.

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