The Valkyries

Rating:
Summary: Simple, But Not at All Bad
Review: This is my first Coelho book that I have read recommended to me by a friend. It is a simple book to read, so you'll get done with it fast. Although it is not the best book I have read, it is without a doubt, the most inspiring book.
This book is about Paulo trying to converse with his angel. He brings his wife, Chris, along so that he's not alone basically. But soon Chris starts getting more interested and wants to become more interactive, especially when Paulo discovers the Valkyries--women who ride on motorcycles and preach about angels. The Valkyries is just what Paulo needs because they are the ones that can help him see his angel.
This is a book where you need an open mind. It is a book that a fifth grader can read, but perhaps not understand as well as a high schooler might. Either way, this book is good and I would recommend it to those with open minds and who are in need of something settling to read. A simple book, but not bad at all.

Rating:
Summary: Jealousy and bitterness
Review: This is not the best of Paulo Coelho's books. But If you go to any book of Paulo Coelho in Amazon.com, you will see this "reader from Lisbon" making nasty comments. This is pure jealousy, from someone who is frustrated. If I read an author, and I don't like him, I don't read ALL his books. Don't pay attention to this anonymous reader. This book is excellent, Coelho is the best Brazilian writer ever.

Rating:
Summary: Hokey Tale or Spirutual Guide
Review: This is the first Coelho novel I've read. I had been meaning to pick up the Alchemist, but during a flight from Toronto to Seattle a friend on the plane loaned me this book. It is an easy read (I was done the book before we landed), but I think I may have gotten more out of it if I hadn't sped through it so quickly. The book is a mystical and spiritual journey of a man who heads into the Mojave desert with his wife in search of an answer - how does one talk to and see their gaurdian angel. Sounds weird - right? Well I thought so too. I kept changing my mind as to whether I thought this whole book was a bunch of gobley-gook to thinking that perhaps this could be real. I remember having the same mixed feelings while reading the Celestine Prophecy. But, I wasn't quite hooked by this book - after finishing the book, I can't say that it has had any sort of lasting effect on me that I've been told it has had on others. I'd like to think I read it with an open mind (which is definitely required) but, as I said before, perhaps I just sped through it too quickly not giving enough thought to some of the ideas being presented before me. So...do I think this is a Hokey Tale or a Spirtual Guide?....I think I'll need to read this book again to decide. All in all - this book is worth the read - read it and decide for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: Hokey Tale or Spirutual Guide
Review: This is the first Coelho novel I've read. I had been meaning to pick up the Alchemist, but during a flight from Toronto to Seattle a friend on the plane loaned me this book. It is an easy read (I was done the book before we landed), but I think I may have gotten more out of it if I hadn't sped through it so quickly. The book is a mystical and spiritual journey of a man who heads into the Mojave desert with his wife in search of an answer - how does one talk to and see their gaurdian angel. Sounds weird - right? Well I thought so too. I kept changing my mind as to whether I thought this whole book was a bunch of gobley-gook to thinking that perhaps this could be real. I remember having the same mixed feelings while reading the Celestine Prophecy. But, I wasn't quite hooked by this book - after finishing the book, I can't say that it has had any sort of lasting effect on me that I've been told it has had on others. I'd like to think I read it with an open mind (which is definitely required) but, as I said before, perhaps I just sped through it too quickly not giving enough thought to some of the ideas being presented before me. So...do I think this is a Hokey Tale or a Spirtual Guide?....I think I'll need to read this book again to decide. All in all - this book is worth the read - read it and decide for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: The Valkyries: An Encounter With Angels, P. Coelho
Review: This was my first book by Coelho and it was terrific! I've since read the Alchemist (his first) and The Pilgrimage. The Valkyries remain my favorite in what I found were interesting twists to the 'story'. I found it to be a metaphysical detective-like mystery novel. A little bit of cleverly outrageous in myth coming to reality in more than one situation. Note: If I read a news filler item correctly Shirley MacLean embarked on the same journey as 'journaled' in Coelho's The Pilgrimage. tvb... massachuetts

Rating:
Summary: A blend of mysticism and realism
Review: This was the third book I read for Coelho, the first two being the Alchemist and on the River Piedra..., although this is a different one, I still enjoyed it. However, my personal view is that this book is not for anyone anytime, it is written more for persons who are indeed going through an intense self-searching phase. If you are coming out of a personal crisis or feel like you are entering such one in your life, this book can be a big help. Don't let all the talk of angels and mysticism put you off as this is Coelho's style and you can easily replace them as metaphors.

Rating:
Summary: for the mystical personalitites
Review: Unfortunately, I don't think this book is as great as The Alchemist or Veronica Decides to Die. In general, I am a great admirer of Paolo Coelho's work. I enjoy the simplicity of his style a lot and the topics he chooses for his novels. But while this book is interesting and challenging, it is too mystical for my taste.

The book is even more fantasy oriented than the Alchemist, introducing us into an unbelievable world of angels and saints. Here, the author sets himself on a journey to see and talk to his guardian angel. He is accompanied by his wife, who balances Paolo's faith, as she is skeptical about her husband's practices and faiths.

We are introduced into an occult world, a context full of mystical rituals, some of them quite frightening. In the Mojave Desert, Paolo meets the Valkyries, a band of bold women dressed in leather riding on motorbikes, who spread the word of angels.

Despite the many unbelievable experiences which give you the feeling that the book is only for the "initiated ones". I still believe it is enchanting; a lot of this charm comes from the fact that is it very personal.

I recommend this book only to the very mystical personalities.