Paulo Coelho relies on the element of surprise in all his writings to ensure that none of his readers, no matter how deeply they delve into his works, can predict what he will say. Neither can they anticipate how he will move his characters, or who they are, nor in what time or setting their story unfolds.

In "Maktub", while we might expect a grand love story, Coelho instead chooses dozens of small tales and scenes from experiences he has lived or heard about. He draws from various world cultures, their folklore, and legends, presenting them in a few concise, expressive lines, offering wisdom that could fill a volume, and parables that summarize an era. Paulo Coelho understands us completely, and that's enough.