Review of ‘The Fifth Mountain’ by Paulo Coelho

A man flees from his country after being announced a convict; escapes death by a few inches; goes to a hostile place; fed by a crow for some time; finds a widow who shelters him and falls in love with her; he is blamed for the death of this widow’s only son; brings back to life the dead son; wins the hearts of those who suspected him; eye-witnesses the destruction of the very city that sheltered him and then rebuilds the place with helps from no other than children and aged men and women! This man is Elijah, the protagonist of Coelho’s novel ‘The Fifth Mountain’.

‘The Fifth Mountain’ is Coelho’s fifth novel set in the 9^th century BC. In this novel Coelho once again talks about destiny, doubts and discoveries – his favourite topics in his unique style. Although this story is a retelling of a part of the Old Testament, Coelho makes it sound much more redolent and this believability of Coelho’s storytelling adds magic to the old story.

Small tit-bits of wisdom are strewn all over the pages of this novel like pearls on a sand-kissed beach. What can we learn from children? Three things: to be happy for no reason, to be always busy with something and to demand with all our might that which we desire.

As Coelho let’s the readers know the plights, thoughts, uncertainties, fears and dilemmas the prophet is going through, Elijah becomes more a living, breathing person rather than a word of six letters. Elijah struggles against God to do what he desires and finally achieves it. This not only shows the moral strength with which his heart is coined but also invites the readers to do the same because God gives those who fight for their desires. In the face of an avalanche of sorrow Elijah hopes for a better tomorrow. After the strong and young men-women abandon the war-torn city of Akbar Elijah gets down to rebuild it with helps from the old-folk who had been left behind. What a proof of faith!

Elijah is the believer and prophet of the ‘One God’. At a point the high priest of Akbar asks him if God is truly one then why people worship so many gods. Elijah points in the direction of the fifth mountain (the mountain where he meets God’s angel) and says, just the way that mountain looks different from different angles so is the ‘One God’ called in different names by different people. It can be a foolish answer for some but eventually these are the words of a greater mind.

Just like all other novels of Coelho ‘The Fifth Mountain’ is insightful, simple and satisfying. If someone knows how to write an engrossing novel with spirituality as the background, it’s Coelho.

Those who are in habit of reading Sidney Sheldon or Jeffery Archer may find this novel slow and short as there are only 245 pages to read. But while reading Coelho you can’t just read the lines, you also got to read between them!

  Reviewed by Efadul Huq

   efahuq@gmail.com