I have read many reviews about "11 minutes" and surprisingly most of them negative, saying that it's just a cheap story of a prostitute.
I think it's so much more than that. I agree, it's not a truly Coelho style. There is a lot of hope in the novel, but it's missing the usual spirituality and insight. But there is nothing wrong with that, it just makes the story lighter. I found the story very captivating and finished it in one sitting (it's not very long, just about 200 pages). Unlike other books by Coelho "11 minutes" is not as "audience specific", as it is a little bit of a romance too. I know many people who are not Coelho fans but they enjoyed reading this title.
So I think it might be a good start if you have never read anything by the author, it will give you a feel of his style but will not be too hard.

I didn't find this as amazing or insightful as some of Paulo's other works that I have read.

I was a bit disappointed....

I must say, "Eleven Minutes" was much more enjoyable for me than "The Alchemist." How many novels do you know whose main character is a prostitute? We get to follow Maria's progression into the profession, the art, gain deeper insights via her diary, and possibly take empathy on her for she herself had no inkling that she would come to this point. She did have a choice, but sometimes our decisions do not take us down the path we hoped for.

Sexuality doubtlessly is a central theme, and Paulo Coelho does not shy away from the taboo manufactured by society, giving sensual descriptions and discussions of love, pain, pleasure, and sacred sex.

"Once upon a time, there was a prostitute named Maria." And so begins Eleven Minutes, a novel by Paulo Coelho, author of the international bestseller The Alchemist.

Eleven Minutes follows Maria's search for love, for sex, for meaning, and ultimately, for herself. What starts out as an escape from small town life and her early brushes with love becomes a dark journey into prostitution. When Maria has all but given up on the idea of love she meets a painter who forces her to question all she holds to be true about life, love and sex, and to face the possibility that there is sacredness to be found within them.

Coelho writes his women characters with such depth and empathy that, if one were inclined to believe in such things, it would be easy to imagine that he was a woman in a previous life; an idea that I think the author would accept with a knowing smile. But I digress. The novel is erotic without being trashy, spiritual without being preachy and pure in its language and intent.

Eleven Minutes is a novel that speaks to the most primal places within us. Like The Alchemist, it is full of literary gems that are simple yet profound, like this one, which sums up the book better than I ever could:

"At every moment of our lives, we all have one foot in a fairy tale and the other in the abyss."

paulo coelho is a beautiful writer. when reading his words, he makes the reader truly mesmerized. 11 minutes shows u inside the life on an innocent and helpless girl who becomes a prostitute. yes, many ppl think that innocent, helpless and prostitute is an oxymoron but u must read this book to truly understand!! highly recommend it.

I have found a new literary and personal hero in Paulo Coelho. Eleven Minutes was the first of his works I've ever read and I can't wait to read more. Maria was such a beautiful character, because she was so intrinsically human. I could see much of myself in her, especially in the beautifully written diary entries. The dreams, the disillusionment and the everlasting hope were inspiring and rang true in my heart and soul. I will cherish this novel.

Eleven Minutes is distinguishable from the earlier writings of Coelho. But yet still breaths the same thought provoking learning lessons each of his novels carries. The pure essence of the novel takes the reader in from the moment the first page is turned. It takes you on a journey within the mind of a young girl with big dreams and aspirations, only to have her find that the world is not always what the mind makes of it. Beautifully written, full of emotions so close to the heart you can feel it. If you are a lover of Coelho's work, you will find this to be one of his best. A beautiful addition to an amazing list of great works you just can’t put down! I know I couldn’t.

I had heard about Paulo Coelho on vacation, from a cousin, but never got the chance to read any of his works. I was so excited to see his work in English. She was right about his writing.
Eleven Minutes lacks pretension or arrogance, it is written in an honest and unassuming manor. Paulo Coelho writes open mindedly and with a passion and love for both women and humanity. There is a sensuality and respect in this book, as well as addresses the lack of communication that men and women have had about sex and sexual intimacy, over so many years. This book is intelligent, and full of insight.
The transformation of the main character Maria, shadows the development of women all around the world, from innocent little girls, with dreams of Prince Charming, to a worldly woman, who sees the world for what is it, not for the childhood fantasies that we came to love as children. In her, we can see ourselves, her's is our story in the extreme. It is through her lessens that we too can learn.

this book was a great read-although many would say that i'm to young to know. This book was great and touching it does a great job of exposing the deceptions of the world, and the light! I loved it!

It is unbelievable how a man could write such a book...I say that because it's unbelievable how well he can describe a woman's feelings, their way of thinking, or what they feel when they reach climax...
Paulo Coelho is amazing and the book is simply the best !

this book touched my heart, it speaks of one women wanting, needing, craving to belong, yet she does the unthinkable and sells herself to achieve her goals. then the unthinkable happens...love.. that saves her... in a lot of way one can relate to this character.. i recomment all paulo's books although fiction you truly apply what you've learnt to your life ..

like all of coelho's book, you can't put it down. I began reading and the book just consumed me. it's amazing the plot is well thought out.... u just have to read