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Summary: Things everyone should, and does, know...
Review: Paulo Coelho is an excellent writer. In the shape of a fable, he teaches his readers things everyone should know - how to listen to your heart and what is the way to be happy and fulfilled. The things he says are so basic that, if he told you them directly, you would not believe him. But the truth is that you already knew it, and he is simply reminding you - poignantly, simply, beautifully, that you should follow your dreams. Highly recommended.
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Summary: A book, for a long train journey & to quote again and again
Review: The Alchemist is a simple easy to follow story about a young Shepherd who sets out on a journey to find his destiny. It really is a book that every young or idle minded person should. It's one of those feel good novels, that really does make you smile. And at the end of the day, thats what I want from a good story. The author proposes lots of philosiphical questions, such as "the Great Lie of Life", and "The Universal Language of Love", but never seems to dictate a certain ideology to the reader. It's a breath of fresh air, though a little slow and sometimes meaningless in places it does manage to evoke a certain connection between the reader the the character of Santiago, which for everyone is different. But, i feel it should be read, fable or no fable, its just a really easy, enjoyable read.
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Summary: Nothing to see here, move along ...
Review: I found this book to be similiar to the Castaneda series or even Celestine Prophecy. It is more simplistic than both (Yes, even more simplistic than the Celestine Prophecy), but I suppose if one needed a light read to remind you of what you already know, it might be worth picking up.
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Summary: Fabulous, Spellbinding tale
Review: I am a 16 year old student who recently read this book for a World Civilizations class. What I found was much more than just an insight on African and Spanish culture at the time, but a deep look into what drives us all to complete our goal in life. I have reread the book twice, and each time a chord is struck within me. Not only does this book provide an excellent journey, but a motovational theme that gave me an entirely different view on life. I would recommend this book to young and old alike, for it relates to everyone's journey through life.
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Summary: witless, unoriginal allegory that has somehow duped everyone
Review: this book is ghastly!
i really can't understand the fuss about this and can only assume that people are going around hailing it as something important, a publishing phenomenon etc etc simply because they feel they should. the old man santiago meets in spain comments on an irritating book the shepherd is reading-irritating because it says that '...everyone believes the world's greatest lie.'
well, my friends, you all seem to believe the world's second greatest lie-i.e. that this is a decent book.
it's allegorical nonsense the imagination and insight of which both pale in comparsion to some simple fairy tales. i think that the sycophantic followers of this dross really need to get out more-read joseph conrad or something-challenge yourselves-find a better destiny!
Rating: 
Summary: Just okay
Review: A retelling of a very old story that did not quite live up to its promise. A sweet little book, probably more appropriate for a 13-14 year old than an adult. It's a quick read...a diversion for a Saturday afternoon, perhaps.
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Summary: Simply Amazing
Review: Simply an amazing story. I woulnt recomend it to un experienced readers. It reads very quickly and leave you re-reading lines, paragraphs and sometimes even pages, just to find out "who--?, what--?". It IS a fable, and reads like one. I recomend it to each of my friends and family members each time i see them. Quite possibly one of the best stories i have ever read.
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Summary: everyone should read this book
Review: Paulo Coehlo wonderfully entices the reader into the world of Santiago, the boy who is on his quest to find his personal legend. I recommend this book to anyone who dreams, has aspirations of travel to faraway places or just fantasizes about a change in their life. It's highly uplifting, spiritual, and inspiring. Dependant on where you are in your life, if you're where you want to be, on the way to getting there, or there and just want to read about someone else's journey, read this book! And I don't mean to make it sound like this is a self-help novel or anything, but moreso an intricate tale of the beauty and depths of the human soul. This is one of the best pieces of fiction that I have ever read.
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Summary: Not worth your time
Review: I bought this book after I heard people talk about how wonderfull it is and how it contains many grate ideas. Well, let me tell you - I was disappointed. First of all I felt like the author was assuming I (the reader) was incredibly stupid. Otherwise, I really don't know why he kept repeating himself. In my opinion, the one idea the book does have, could have been easily summarized into 2 to 3 pages. At most. Second of all, I think this book hasn't a single original thought in it. People have been writing about one's dreams, his abilty to do anything if he believes, the goodness of human being etc. since for-ever. The only thing Coelho did is: he recycled. And last but not least, think a minute to yourself and answer this question: Does the idea of a boy traveller in search of meaning remind of anything? I have one name for you: The Little Prince (and really, if you want to go with the "real stuff" read The Prince and don't waste your time with this silly book).
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Summary: "The Alchemist" review by 13-year-old reader
Review: I am a 13-year-old girl. I just started reading "The Alchemist" today, and already I find it one of the best books I have ever opened.
It is a little fairytale about a shepherd named Santiago, who has a dream of a treasure in the Pyramids of Egypt. He embarks on a journey to find that treasure, and ends up learning about omens and intuition from a mysterious old man who calls himself a king. Throughout the adventure, he discovers the "Soul of the World" - the force that controls everyone's destiny, or "Personal Legend," and the language of the world - something understood by all, even sheep.
For anyone who says "The Alchemist" is boring or "hard to get into," I say this: we are a culture of instant gratification. If those hurried people took the time to read this book, they would find its true message: that to fulfill our dreams is to fulfill our destiny, and that unimportat things should never get in the way.
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