The Winner Stands Alone

Finally finished!  Paulo Coelho characters are hard to leave.  In this book the character that moves the book is evil, and not likeable for any reason.  I was tempted to abandon the book, because I do not like to read about evil.  However, I stayed with it, because Coelho has much to say about the social condition, and I like his comments peppered through the narrative about our universal concerns.  If you like Paulo Coehlo, it is worth reading.   The underside of life at the Cannes film festival, is probably worth knowing, because we all see if for glitz and glamour, when it is really a place where everyone goes to be seen, be used, and to be promoted, or to promote products, films, directors and actors.  It is a world that is far too unattainable for the ordinary, and a lesson for young girls dreaming of stardom.  The span of opportunity according to Coehlo, is very short, so girls especially have to sacrifice and take chances, while disappointment , is around every corner.  It is but a segment of life in the real world, that is based on beauty, unreality, and rariefied air.