Well I have been reading the book "The Winner Stands Alone" by Paulo Coelho for a long time. But I haven't been able to finish it. The book has a weird plot. It focusses on the negatives of film industry, the power, fame and the wealth associated with it. According to him, a handful of actors earn a fortune. The rest live on the houses and the cars rented by the studio. In front of the world one is a superstar, in full control of their life. Common people do not realize that their style icons are at the mercy of the studio which has hired them. Their only source of earning money is advertisements and parties.

The book has several stories running simulataneously. The one which I liked the most is of a girl called Jasmine. She is one of the finest models but with enough sense in her brain to not to get swayed by all the fame. She is very clear who she is and what she wants from life. She does not rely on external fame and appreciation in order to consider herself good. This is a rarity in an industry where everybody just wants to gain attention by hook or crook.

Acoording the book, the wealthy, the Superclass only appear to be happy. They are slaves of their own wealth and power. They are workaholics with no time to relax and enjoy with their families. They have entered a vicious cycle. Their initial goal was to earn so much money that they could retire at an early stage and then live peacefully. Instead, they fall prey to their own success and want to work more to earn more money and stay at the top. Soon, they start rationalizing themselves by telling themselves that they are working to make this world a better place to live. In the mean time they have wrecked their families.

Life is a place where one needs to avoid worrying, sit back and chill out a little. Because a life spent only working is a life which is half lived.