Plot Summary

By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

Paulo Coelho
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By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1994

Book Brief

Paulo Coelho

By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1994
Book Details
Pages

180

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

France • 1990s

Theme
Publication Year

1994

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept by Paulo Coelho follows Pilar, a strong and independent woman, as she reconnects with a childhood friend who has become a charismatic spiritual leader. Together, they embark on a journey through the French Pyrenees, confronting old feelings and exploring profound questions about love, spirituality, and personal growth.

Contemplative

Emotional

Romantic

Melancholic

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

4.1

105,176 ratings

55%

Loved it

29%

Mixed feelings

17%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept by Paulo Coelho explores themes of love, spirituality, and self-discovery. Critics praise its poetic prose and thought-provoking messages. However, some find the narrative predictable and the characters underdeveloped. Overall, it is a mystical, introspective read that resonates differently with each reader.

Who should read this

Who Should Read By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept?

Readers who enjoy tender, philosophical love stories with a spiritual journey at the heart, akin to The Alchemist or The Notebook, will find By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept by Paulo Coelho captivating. Ideal for those who appreciate introspective narratives that blend romance with deep existential reflections.

4.1

105,176 ratings

55%

Loved it

29%

Mixed feelings

17%

Not a fan

Fun Facts

By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept is part of Paulo Coelho's "And on the Seventh Day" trilogy, which explores a week in the lives of ordinary people facing a major life change.

Published in 1994, the novel contributed to Coelho's international reputation, resonating with readers for its themes of love, destiny, and spiritual awakening.

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The story is inspired by Coelho's own experiences and explorations of spirituality, particularly influenced by his time with a Catholic religious movement called Charismatic Renewal.

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Book Details
Pages

180

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

France • 1990s

Theme
Publication Year

1994

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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