Set in the Middle East During the Turbulent Ninth century, La Quinta Montana is inspired by an event in Coelho's life that opened his eyes to the reality that tragedy is not a punishment but a challenge. It opens when the evil Princess Jezebel, wife of Israel's king, decrees death to all who refuse to bow down to the pagan god Baal. Elijah, ordered by an angel to flee the country for Zarephath, finds refuge with a young widow and her son. When Elijah finds love with her, it seems that perhaps God has intended for this faithful, ascetic prophet to have some human happiness after all. But this happiness is short-lived, and when Elijah sees his dreams shattered, he must once again find the strength to create a new life for himself. A gripping and moving story of how one man surmounts tragedy, La Quinta Montana teaches without being didactic, inspires without being sanctimonious. It is Paulo Coelho at his best.