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Summary: I fail to understand the bad reviews
Review: I don't understand how someone could have read this book and given it anything less than 5 stars. Yes, it wasn't long and it wasn't a challenging read... but it was truly a beautiful and exhilarating story."New Age"? No, I don't think so at all. I don't think it's any more new age than any number of business strategy books I've been reading lately or any books about starting your own company. The story is a saga about achieving your personal dream... and dreaming in general. Most people these days are too busy to dream or to listen to their dreams... they're like the crystal merchant and the baker in this story. But somewhere, deep down, all of us wish we were just a bit like the shepherd... strong enough (with a bit of wanderlust) to leave the assurances of stationary life and go searching for our dreams. Also, if the religious/alchemist part of the story gets you interested in learning more, I highly recommend trying to find a copy of Riddle of the Sphinx by Jay Williams.
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Summary: I had good things happen to me the very next day!!
Review: I read this book coz of all the reviews...and am surpised that it was not all that fascinating. BUT, the very next day, I got a letter from a publisher that my article was going to be published...Imagine!! And...well ummmm It did kinda help me realize that God does exist...I have been into the idea that God does not exist and that life means nothing...this book made me realize that there is God....he's there if you are fulfilling your're true dream...your're true potential....so go ahead read it...it may just help you realize your're dreams!!
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Summary: Average story bearing a message filled with gaps
Review: After I read 'Veronica Decides To Die' I was a little bit disappointed and decided to read a second book by Coelho to form a steadier opinion about this author. And I read 'The Alchemist'. But after that I find 'Veronica Decides To Die' better than 'The Alchemist' and what I considered it to be before reading 'The Alchemist'. I enjoyed the first pages very much because I had the impression that this is a very good retaled fable with some touches that make you think about some aspects of life. But my disappointment began to grow bigger and bigger after discovering that the message of the book is pretty much the same as it is in 'Veronica Decides To Die' and gets more and more banal - an opinion of mine confirmed by the fact that from a moment further development of the main idea simply stops and a boring repetition begins. And the pity is that it looks like Coelho has stressed on the philosophical side of his tale, thus making from the book an average story, related in a boring way. I think Coelho has a style of his own. His quotes from the Bible are in place. I was pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of a Biblical character in the form of Melchizedek which makes the book more 'provocative', but the problem is that the author is too monotonous. Some people may fall in love with the book while some will totally dislike. That depends on the person himself. I myslef, don't like it very much. Find a lot of gaps in its message which in some places tend to be ridiculous (trying to convince your heart, looking upon all the facts as omens...). Don't like the way such an naive story tries to provoke the reader to think too.
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Summary: entertaining fable, new age "light"
Review: Okay, so this book won't change your life.....nor is it very profound. That disclaimer stated, I still recommend it. It is a sweet, simple story about following your dream. Something which I feel not enough people do in their own lives. I was especially gratified that the author doesn't delude us with the lie that once you decide to embark on the journey it's all going to be a simple skip down a rose strewn path.....we are shown and told the many obstacles that follow the "beginners luck" that comes with the initial commitment to many dreams. And as I said.....it's a sweet story. Memorable, even. So read it, give it to friends. It won't hurt you....in fact, I believe it's a book you'll recall often with fond memories.
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Summary: A book to TRANSFORM your life
Review: A lofty promise I know, but from my perpspective absolutely true. This amazing book touched, moved and inspired me in so many deeply profound ways. There are some people that have critized this book for suggesting that the message it gives is that we are slaves to fate, that we do not control our destiny. This is simply NOT the case. Whoever thinks that is what the book is saying misunderstood the book on every level. This is a book that ENFORCES the idea that we are in complete control our lives. We are the ones that have the power to achieve our dreams if we choose to pursue them. The book relays this profoundly inspiring message by telling a very simple fable about a boy's journey to discover his "treasure". All along the way we see that, in life, we are faced with choices that ultimatley steer us in one direction or another. The Alchemist suggests that we each have a destiny of our own choosing, and if we pay close attention to the world around us we can start to see the power in our choices and, in fact, once you start seeing that you are in the driver's seat of your own life, you will start to see the world from a whole new perspective. This new perspective gives you access to SEE when the "universe" is offering you assistance in achiveing your dreams and life goals. It isn't magical or spiritual. It's simply about recognising when one choice over another will bring you one step closer (or several steps) to fulfilling your ambitions. Since reading this book I have become so empowered and aware how in control I am. This book motivated me from the very core of my being and since reading it I have been experiencing amazing results and see how close I am to achieving my "Destiny". All you need to do is recognise that the the book is steeped in metaphor then "listen" to the book's message and I guarantee you this book will change the way you are living your life and give you the power to FULFILL YOUR DREAMS. NOTE - There appears to be a slight difference in the translation of some of the editions of The Alchemist. The version I read uses the word "DESTINY" quite frequently, this term is replaced in several editions with the term "PERSONAL LEGEND". Since the term "personal legend" is in itelf rather meaningless rather open to interpretation, I suspect that this is some kind of error in the translation that may have led to some of the reader's misunderstanding of the book. I suggest if you read an edition with the term "personal legend" just remember to mentally replace it with the word "DESTINY". The book will be that much clearer for you.
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Summary: An Inspiration
Review: I must say I am amazed by the other reviewers reviews. Why a one star? In my personal opinion, this is a very inspiring book that actually makes you believe your dreams(not the one about getting money) Of the eight people I have met who have read the book, all except one loved it, which goes to show that you can't judge a book by two or three reviews. Really, why a one? I actually bought the book because of the illustrations done by Moebius (I own the hardcover edition) but after reading a few pages, I just can't seem to put it down(something that never had happened to me since The Lord of the Rings and Dune when I was just 11 and 13 respectively) This is more of a fable than a novel, so those looking for a exciting thing to read should steer clear... and come back again when you're 64 when you're more matured and reflective... Reading this had actually made me think about what I should have done in the past 60 years of my life...
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Summary: Correction on previews review
Review: 1)The preview is reffering to The Alchemist &
2)Please replace word Udinese with word Perugia
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Summary: It's All About the Journey
Review: A close friend gave me THE ALCHEMIST by Paulo Coelho nearly a year ago. As it is an oversized book, it got hidden among some other items. I stumbled across it one day and read it in two quick sittings - half before work and the rest on my lunch break. This book is quite thoughtful. It makes you think of other cultures, what the book calls as your "Personal Journey" and what the world is all about. I love books such as this that employ lyrical writing and twists on the fable setup. An eye-opening book for people of all ages.
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Summary: A HYMN TO FATALITY
Review: Although this book suggests Free will by urging us to follow our heart in essence it is a hymn to fatality. It tells the story of a young shepherd who gets a dream of a treasure hidden in Egypt and decides to follow it. But all along the way his learnings (and ours) are that things are predetermined. So long as we stick to our dream, that is. Apparently that is why we are here on Earth. To discover our 'personal legend', as it is called in the book. And then fulfil it. If we set on such a course the Universe will conspire to help us succeed (as happens with the protagonist of the book). Being a free-willed person I have a problem with all that. The idea that I do not control my destiny is unthinkable. The whole notion that things are pre-decided is simply pathetic. A throwback to the superstitious dark ages. As for the author's insistence that if we discover and follow our predetermined mission (OK, 'personal legend', sounds nicer) the Cosmos will turn on its head to make sure we succeed, it would have been laughable if it wasn't downgrading. What differentiates us from animals? What makes us winners if not Free will? This book has been likened to the Bible. Not the Bible I know. Possibly the one for fatalists.
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Summary: The Alchemist
Review: The Alchemist is a profoundly philosophical novel which focuses on realizing one's goals and then following one's heart to reach those goals. The story begins in the fields of Andalusia, Spain. Santiago, a young shepherd, has a recurring dream about a treasure. When he goes to visit a woman who interprets dreams, sure enough, she tells him he is supposed to go find it. With help and support from an old king, Santiago is on his way to Africa, towards the Egyptian Pyramids, to seek out his treasure. Along his journey he meets a thief, a crystal merchant, an Englishman, and above all, an alchemist. They each guide him closer to his treasure and Personal Legend. A Personal Legend is what one is meant to fulfill in one's lifetime. Paulo Coelho's inspiring novel brings forth a new light on the world and portrays the glass as half full.
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