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65 pages 2 hours read

Eleven Minutes

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2003

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Book Brief

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Paulo Coelho

Eleven Minutes

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2003
Book Details
Pages

273

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Geneva, Switzerland • 1990s

Publication Year

2003

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho, Maria, a young and intelligent Brazilian woman, travels to Switzerland hoping to better her life but ends up working as a well-paid sex worker. She hardens herself against emotional connections with her clients while saving money to return to Brazil. Her plans become complicated when she meets Ralf Hart, a famous artist, whose love forces her to reassess her choices and future. The novel discusses sex work and includes elements of BDSM.

Emotional

Bittersweet

Romantic

Contemplative

Mysterious

Reviews & Readership

4.0

186,436 ratings

61%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Readers of Paulo Coelho's Eleven Minutes appreciate its exploration of complex themes like love, sexuality, and the human spirit through the protagonist, Maria's, journey. Positive reviews highlight its poetic and introspective writing. However, some critics feel the novel leans too heavily on philosophical discourse at the expense of plot development.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Eleven Minutes?

Readers who enjoy introspective and transformative journeys, as seen in Paolo Coelho’s The Alchemist, will find Eleven Minutes captivating. Those intrigued by themes of love, self-discovery, and the human experience, similar to those in Anaïs Nin’s Delta of Venus, will appreciate Coelho’s narrative and philosophical depth.

4.0

186,436 ratings

61%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

Character List

Maria

A Brazilian woman who relocates temporarily to Geneva and works as a sex worker at night. She is intelligent, ambitious, and keeps a reflective diary throughout her journey.

An internationally acclaimed artist in his late 20s, known for his artistic success and candid views on relationships. He is distinctively addressed by both his first and last name, highlighting his uniqueness in the narrative.

The owner of the Copacabana Club, a methodical operator who manages the club where sex workers meet clients, ensuring compliance with Swiss regulations, and maintaining a smoothly-run establishment.

A British music company executive who frequents Geneva for BDSM role play sessions. He engages with Maria after receiving an introduction from Milan.

A widowed librarian who befriends Maria and assists her in obtaining books for her studies. She mistakenly views Maria as an inexperienced immigrant, unaware of her true profession.

Book Details
Pages

273

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Geneva, Switzerland • 1990s

Publication Year

2003

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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