The Winner Stands Alone: A Novel

New York Times Bestseller

A Story of Love and Obsession

In The Winner Stands Alone, a compelling suspense novel, Paulo Coelho takes us to the Cannes Film Festival, where the so-called superclass—those who have made it in the dreammaker’s world of fashion and cinema—gathers. At stake are money, power, and fame—things that most people are prepared to do anything to keep.

At this modern vanity fair we meet Igor, a driven Russian millionaire on a murderous mission to reclaim a lost love; Middle Eastern fashion czar Hamid; American actress Gabriela, eager to land a lead role; ambitious criminal detective Savoy, hoping to resolve the case of his life; and Jasmine, a woman on the brink of a successful modeling career.

Who will succeed in identifying his or her own personal dream among the many prefabricated ones—and succeed in making it come true?

• A High-Stakes Psychological Thriller: Set against the glamorous backdrop of the Cannes Film Festival, a dark game of obsession and murder unfolds among the world’s rich and powerful.
• The Dark Side of Fame: Explore the ruthless world of the "superclass," where the hunger for power, money, and celebrity drives characters to extreme lengths.
• An Unforgettable Antihero: Follow Igor, a Russian millionaire who believes he can justify any crime—even murder—in the twisted name of love.
• A Gripping Story of Obsession: When a powerful man decides to reclaim the woman he lost, he begins destroying worlds to send a message she can’t ignore.

“[Coelho’s] special talent seems to be his ability to speak to everyone at once. The kind of spirituality he espouses is to all comers. . . . His readers often say that they see their own lives in his own books.” - The New Yorker

“[This] Brazilian wizard makes books disappear from stores.” - New York Times

this scintillating parable about shallowness, greed, and celebrity worship from international bestseller Coelho (The Alchemist) unsparingly examines the Superclass, the elite’s elite. . . Coelho’s trademark mysticism and spiritual messages provide an extra boost to the thriller plot.” - Publishers Weekly

“[Coelho’s] special talent seems to be his ability to speak to everyone at once. . . . His readers often say that they see their own lives in his own books.” - The New Yorker