Adultery is a 2014 novel by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, originally published in Portuguese under the title Adultério. The work was released internationally in English by HarperCollins, with a translation by Mark O'Connor.
Publication history
- Original Portuguese edition: Adultério, published by Editora Sextante in Brazil, 2014.
- English translation: Adultery, published by HarperCollins in the United States and United Kingdom, 2014.
- Subsequent editions have been issued in multiple languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, and others, reflecting Coelho’s global readership.
Plot overview
The novel follows the life of Linda, a successful, middle‑aged woman living in São Paulo. Though outwardly content with her marriage to a notable architect, she experiences a profound sense of ennui and self‑doubt. After an impulsive encounter with a younger man, she embarks on an introspective journey confronting themes of desire, guilt, personal freedom, and the societal expectations placed on women. The narrative interweaves present events with reflections on Linda’s past, illustrating her internal conflict between conventional responsibilities and a yearning for authenticity.
Themes and style
Adultery examines contemporary issues such as marital fidelity, existential searching, and the reconciliation of personal ambition with familial obligations. Coelho employs his characteristic allegorical style, embedding philosophical musings within the protagonist’s inner dialogue. The novel continues the author’s exploration of spiritual self‑discovery, a motif prevalent in his earlier works (e.g., The Alchemist, The Pilgrimage).
Reception
Critical response to Adultery was mixed. Reviewers praised Coelho’s accessible prose and the novel’s candid treatment of female sexuality, while some critics noted a perceived reliance on familiar tropes from his previous writings. Commercially, the book achieved bestseller status in several markets, reinforcing Coelho’s position as one of the most widely read contemporary authors.
Adaptations and related works
As of the latest available information, there have been no film, television, or theatrical adaptations of Adultery. The novel has been discussed in academic contexts focusing on modern Brazilian literature and gender studies.
References
- Coelho, Paulo. Adultério. São Paulo: Editora Sextante, 2014.
- Coelho, Paulo. Adultery. Translated by Mark O'Connor. New York: HarperCollins, 2014.
- Publisher press releases and sales data (HarperCollins, 2014–2015).
Note: All information presented reflects published and verifiable sources up to 2023.