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Before these statements left my desk and followed the fate I eventually chose for them, I considered using them as the basis for a traditional, painstakingly researched biography, recounting a true story. And so I read various biographies, thinking this would help me, only to realise that the biographer’s view of his subject inevitably influences the results of his research. Since it wasn’t my intention to impose my own opinions on the reader, but to set down the story of the ‘Witch of Portobello’ as seen by its main protagonists, I soon abandoned the idea of writing a straight biography and decided that the best approach would be simply to transcribe what people had told me.
The Witch of Portobello
Paulo Coelho
Translated from the Portuguese by Margaret Jull Costa
For S.F.X., a sun who spread light and warmth wherever he went, and was an example to all those who think beyond their horizons.
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
Luke 11: 33
O Mary conceived without sin, pray for those who turn to you. Amen.
Table of Contents
Deidre O’Neill, 37, doctor, known as Edda
Lella Zainab, 64, numerologist
Samira R. Khalil, 57, housewife, Athena’s mother
Luka’s Jessen-Petersen, 32, engineer, ex-husband
Luka’s Jessen-Petersen, ex-husband
Pavel Podbielski, 57, owner of the apartment
Peter Sherney, 47, manager of a branch of [name of Bank omitted] in Holland Park, London
Nabil Alaihi, age unknown, Bedouin
Samira R. Khalil, Athena’s mother
Vosho ‘Bushalo’, 65, restaurant owner
Liliana, seamstress, age and surname unknown
