Eleven Minutes

Once upon a time, there was a prostitute called Maria,' is how author Paulo Coelho begins his book, 'Eleven Minutes.' Yet, this novel is anything but a fairy tale. 'Eleven Minutes' is about one young woman's journey from an innocent virgin to a woman who chooses the life of prostitution. Eventually, Maria decides to find 'real' love and although the in-between may not be fairy tale like, there is a happy ending.

Coelho's novel is very realistic as it describes the encounters his protagonist, Maria, faces. He uses very graphic words that create a very intense image. Ultimately, 'Eleven Minutes' is about sex as you find out just what the title stands for. At a very short 288 pages, I read this book within three days as I couldn't bear to put it down. 'Eleven Minutes' is one of those novels that have you so intrigued you just keep turning the pages until it is finished.

'Eleven Minutes' is a perfect, quick summer read for mature individuals who can handle graphic scenes and sexual content.