Rating: 
Summary: Such Stuff as Dreams are Made on
Review: This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read, especially in this time of world conflict. While I'm not sure that every sentiment could withstand close scrutiny, it should enable any reasonable reader to do some worthwhile thinking. Long ago in French class we read "Le Petit Prince", and if there were a Portuguese class at the same level, this would be the book for it. Some confuse literariness with sesquipedalianism, but this author is not one of them.
Rating: 
Summary: As simple as it gets...
Review: Paulo Coelho's captivative novel is a mild well-written story that allows readers to interpret it in any way they choose.. A candid description of a person's and everybody's need to realize one's destiny as the only compulsion.This is a story about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who ventures from his homeland in Spain to North Africa in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a beautiful, young gypsy woman, a man who calls himself a king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is , but the boy tries to overcome the obstacles along the way through the desert. At the end of the day.. what is important is the treasures found within rather than the worldly possessions. The words of wisdom don't come as heavy logs , but in small simple bundles which are easily taken in coz its something that one already knows, but never traversed through that kind of thought process. Follow your heart and you would never want to get rid of this one!
Rating:
Summary: Follow Heart's Desire
Review: In the fable told by Paul Coelho, the character Santiago is a shepherd boy who dreams of treasures in Egyptian pyramids and leaves spain to make his dreams turn true. During his adventure, he learns many lessons on way and experiences the truth 'To listen to own heart' It knows all and explores to fulfil dream desires. Santiago meets many people but among them is a Alchemist who has a wise preach to Santiago. When Santiago confides in the Alchemist what he thinks, the Alchemist says that the fear of suffering is more than to actually 'suffer'. The fable is an inspiration to live upto dreams and live life fulfilling desires. If you do not dream you cannot reach for the stars and so does Paul Coelho has sound advice to make the most of inner aspirations and pick the pearls in life. Paul stress on importance of life and listening to our heart. We travel life's path once and hence, our aim should be higher to grasp and reach the goals to fulfil our dreams desire. A very good message and worth a Read - A great pick and must for bedside shelf.
Rating:
Summary: Obrigado, Senhor Coelho
Review: I love this book and am saddened by the negative criticism I've read here. Some of these reviews are ridiculously cruel - and I'm not talking about being cruel regarding the story. Some people actually get off on criticizing and categorizing the kind of people who like the book. If you do not believe in a creator, the soul, or have a mystical belief in what love can do to bring people together, The Alchemist may not be a book you would enjoy. Instead, you might find value in Stoic philosophers, such as Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus, who offer great practical wisdom that borders on being spiritual without getting too mystical. Thing is, learn to value your life. Then show respect for others. I want to personally thank the author. This is one of the great tales that are written into my heart, in the great tradition of writers who believe in the bounty of life and a source that connects us all. We're all going to drop dead one day. In the mean time, Coelho inspires us to make the most of our aspirations. Why not? It's better than finding fault in other people's dreams. Habitually degrading other people is like killing yourself over and over and over. Read the book. If you can do better and write a book that sells a couple of million copies, go for it.
Rating:
Summary: Looking for Spiritual Guidance, Here It Is!
Review: I have heard of "The Alchemist" for years but I suppose I wasn't ready for its message until recently. I honestly feel this book should be required reading for all people. Coelho has an amazing way of writing fiction with a theory about reality, and it works. He gives us the tale of a young boy disenchanted with his life who decides he must search the world for an answer to the hole in his heart. We are taken on a journey from Spain to Egypt with young Santaigo. Along the way we, like Santaigo, keep thinking that we have found life's answers but in the end we discover we had the answers all along. This is a profound discovery for some and a comforting redirection for others. Paulo Coehlo writes with such a depth that I found myself taking quotes on almost every page for future inspiration on how to run my life. With all of the global issues taking place in the world today I was floored by the following quote, "No matter what he does, every person on earth plays a central role in the history of the world. And normally he dosen't know it." In one paragraph Coehlo offers the answer. If we all felt so important we wouldn't need unnecessary attention would we? And maybe, just maybe the world would start to change. The most important message to take from this wonderful time honored tale is this, "Where your treasure is, there also will be your heart." Enough said!
Rating:
Summary: You have to look all over the World
Review: The main theme in this book is superb, the Boy has to search all over the world to find what is actually right in front of you. The book was told stupendusly, and flowed great, it is now one of my favorite books. I completed the bok in a personal best time for a book between 150-200 it only took me 2 hours to read, the book seemed flawless, HIGHLY RECOMENDED!!!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Follow Your Dreams and Learn about the World
Review: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho was one of the most well written books that I have read. From the very beginning it caught my attention and I loved it. Although very short, the story was very interesting and simple. I like how this book took palce within different countrys and that it showed how life was like in the country at that time period. But by far my favorite part about this book was the messages in it. If you take the time to understand what this book is really telling you, instantly you will become enlightened and start to relate these events into your own life and you will seem to have a much more "complete life." This book teaches you to follow your draems and to go where others thought you could not. You must seek out your Personal Legend at reach it. Only then will you understand your life. This book you can read many times over again and enjoy it. I recommend this book to anyone. Young or old. The lessons remain the same. Also, you will enjoy it, this book is the perfect novel to raed anytime you want. The Alchemist is a book about following your dreams and to reach for the stars... to reach your Personal Legend.
Rating: 
Summary: For God's sake don't take it seriously.
Review: The Alchemist is what I would call an in between book. It has strong new Age undertones with its fantasy aspects mixed with a self-oriented view of the world rather than a truly spiritual approach. In addition, it is a book with some worth. It has a basic message which attempts to divert the modern human being from the overtly mechanistic and reductionistic trend he/she is currently confined within and push them out into the lived world. The world of passion, art and the spirit. This is a current need. However, it does this in a way which does not actually practice what it preaches. This is not a truly spiritual book and should not be seen as such. It is a book in the vein of "The Celestine Prophecy" which, being a kind of offspring of "The Alchemist", tries the same thing again with little success. One way to express this is in the following way: The Alchemist takes a drop of water from a massive ocean and calls the drop the ocean rather allowing the drop to lead to the ocean in a very subtle indirect path. Only in such an ineffable approach with the merest hint in the right direction can the truth of existence be experienced. Nonetheless "The Alchemist" is an entertaining book as fiction and can be enjoyed wholeheartedly as fiction. Read it and enjoy yourself. For God's sake don't take it seriously.
Rating: 
Summary: Shame on You Paulo Coelho!
Review: After Brazil gave us such a great writers like Jorge Amado, Machado de Assis, José de Alencar, Clarice Lispector, Cecília Meireles, Aloísio Azevedo, Ruben Braga and others, you come with your stupid stories and your bad taste. This book is PRIMITIVE and hurts the great Brazilian Literature. Shame on you with NOT LITERATY piece of crap.
Rating:
Summary: Enchanting fable that got me thinking about life's journey
Review: A friend recommended that I read THE ALCHEMIST by
Paulo Coelho, and I'm glad that I took her advice . . . this is
an enchanting fable about Santiago, a shepherd boy who follows his
dream in search of buried treasurer . . . along the way, he
encounters Gypsies, a king, a merchant, an Englishman, and
an alchemist . . . when he meets Fatima, he also discovers
love. This book got me thinking about the journey of my life . . . while
not quite the same as Santiago's, it nevertheless has been filled
with both ups and downs that have certainly led to an
exciting venture--thus far . . . as to where it will eventually take
me, I'm still wondering . . . and hoping that if I listen to my
heart (as recommended by the author, a Brazilian storyteller),
methinks I will never be bored. There were several memorable passages; among them:
Now he understood why the owner of the bar had been so upset:
he was trying to tell him not to trust that man. "I'm like everyone
else--I see the world in terms of what I would like to see happen,
not what actually does." But the sheep had taught him something even more important: that
there was a language in the world that everyone understood, a language
the boy had used throughout the time that he was trying to improve
things at the shop. It was the language of enthusiasm, of things
accomplished with love and purpose, and as part of a search for
something believed in and desired. Tangier was no longer a strange city, and he felt that, just as he had conquered this place, he could
conquer the world. "Don't say anything," Fatima interrupted. "One is loved because
one is loved. No reason is needed for loving."
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