why many people says they would never read Paulo Coelho novels?

Question

seems to be that they hate him even though they have never read his books...maybe because he is a best seller author?

Answer 1

Perhaps it's because they think his books might be a bit difficult and they are too lazy to challenge themselves...

Answer 2

The "Critical acclaims and criticism" section of the Wikipedia article on Coelho (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulo_Coelho) reads:

Although Coelho has achieved great international success, his work has not been unanimously appreciated at home; his election to the Brazilian Academy of Letters proved controversial. Seen by some Brazilian literary critics as a lesser author whose material is too simplistic and similar to that of self-help books, criticism of his work arises mostly from his plain, direct style and borrowing of ideas from other authors. Additionally, his works in Portuguese contain grammatical errors and inaccuracies; some of these have been minimized in translation or altered in later editions.

Some consider his books incompatible with mainstream Catholicism, due to their mixture of mysticism, spiritual exercises, meditation and supernatural experiences. Coelho in his website states that Catholicism is his personal way of enlightenment and knowing God, but also claims that religion has nothing to do with his spirituality; he considers that all religions are 'correct'. Despite spiritual themes, his works do not espouse any specific religion, apart from Catholic elements which figure in some plots. His books have also been translated into 56 other languages.
End of quote

See also the first item under "Sources" below.

At a discussion group (see the second item below), one contributor notes: "I've read much about Coelho - and many 'clever' people says that his literature is very 'feminine', and no guy will ever understand it. Maybe I have to agree with it - at least I can't understand and like Coelho's books."

Never having read a word of Coelho, just having done research for this Answer, I am now among those who won't read him. To begin with, I don't want to read mysticism that I can't believe in. (I'm a traditional tho not "conservative" Catholic.) And having just gone to Amazon.com, and read the Publishers Weekly review of The Devil and Miss Prym (3rd below), I don't think I'd be interested in his fiction.

Answer 3

the first time i read it i really liked it, but i agree that the ending was a little off pace, although not so bad as some other books i have read recently (stephenie meyer i am talking to you!) i don't think i should have read it a second time (long bus journey and it was the only book in my bag) because this time i found things about it that annoyed me, the writing was sometimes a bit too purple for my liking, and it seemed to loose some of the appeal that it had the first tme. but in all it was a good enough book. a nice way to spend an afternoon.

Answer 4

Perhaps because Coelho's novels are continuously talked about...and they don't want to be a part of the majority.They are missing some great time and the chance to read one of the most sensitive and wisest writers I have ever known.

Answer 5

I've read one of his books, and I thought it was nothing more than fictionalized self-help. It was way too "fluffy" for me. I wouldn't bother with anything else he has written for that reason. (I don't read Richard Paul Evans, either.)

Answer 6

Sorry, Im not one of them....I l-o-v-e his books & have read a few of them...Great author!

Answer 7

i think its simplicity he is propagating..and people like it because we are so tangled up, depressed and stressed in this big world..

people find joy in this simplicity..

the people who dont like him, do so because they may not feel the need to observe his advices, and find them (his advices) useless...and ppl dnt usually like stuff tht is useless to them, do they?