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Summary: A traveller searching for a dream
Review: The Alchemist was introduced to me by one of my fellow travellers. I found it amazing and enchanting that the things we discussed over a glass of wine far away, paralleled the story of Santiago and his dream so closely. In this wonderful character of Paulo Coelho I found wisdom, insight and a hungry heart to match so many of my fellow travellers. In a sense it reminded me of the Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery. I will gladly recommend The Alchemist again and again.
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Summary: Cheap Literature
Review: When I finally read this book (after so many of my friends telling me how great it is), I was disappointed: it is nothing but cheap literature with cheap philosophy. I understood, however, why so many people enjoyed it. It's because it speaks about finding your own way in life and avoiding failure. And everybody loved "The Alchemist" because they would have wanted to be like the boy in the book who finds his way and succeeds in life. Unfortunately, most people didn't succeed in life. However, they like to imagine how it would have been if they would have succeeded and that's why they loved "The Alchemist". I believe that a person who succeeded in life knows that things aren't as simple as Coelho says they are. And such a person knows the difference between cheap literature and real books.
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Summary: I don't know what to say about this book!!!!!
Review: I can only say that every one in thier life time should read this book not only once but at least three times. I have baught this book for all my friends, and family members, all around the world, they have this book in every language, I gave one to my mom in farsi, one to my dad and another to my sister, I finished the book the first night I got it, because I loved the book so much I could not put it down. This book had a great story behind it...and it taught me so much about my self and about my life... Every single one of my friends that I gave this book to, it changed thier lives in diffrent ways. They all loved the book and thanked me for giving it to them.Let me tell you this straight up, After you finish this book and put it down I will garantee that you will be in shock and from that day on you will become a better peorson. And you will know what you want from life.... This book is based on the teachings of Roomie, and it will make you want to chase your dreams and follow your dreams, and realise what life is all about... I recomend this book to every one and I hope that one day it will become a requiered reading for kids at school.... This is the best book that I have ever read, and no book has ever left such impact on me as this one did... Mehrbod
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Summary: The Alchemist: An Interesting Journey for Mind and Spirit
Review: When I read "The Alchemist" it was like I was reading an inspirational book or a parable that Jesus Christ told his followers. I liked the book. It kept me focused whether than thinking of other things. I was intrigued by this book because I never knew what was going to happen next. The author used a lot of detailed description and I got into the story. I liked how the author was basically telling the way of life: not taking things for granted, always keep your head up high, and always seek your "personal legend", as the book would call it. The boy, Santiago, was seeking out his "personal legend" and along the way he was touched by others and learned from them that he should never give up on his hopes and dreams of the future. This inspired me to rethink my life. I used to hold negative thoughts of dreams that I would like to do that were "out of this world" but "The Alchemist" got me to think a little bit. The author was trying to capture the reader and guide him through his dreams and future. He basically said that you can do anything if you just set your mind to it. No matter how far away that treasure is, you must find it and dig it up. This was a tool that inspired me. I enjoyed this book. I give it a 4+!
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Summary: Small in size but endless in meaning
Review: This is a motivational/spiritual book written in the form of a novel. This book is small & to the point. Teaching you about the taking responisibility for the choices you make. Making you feel & 'see' how the world is working for you not against you. Tells the simple story of a young shepherd boy named Santiago who just simply responds to his personal internal unrest, sure that he has something to learn. So he phyisically goes on a journey (and we follow him), he learns to pay attention to everything that crosses his path & learns to read the signs that the 'soul of the world is giving him'. Only read this book if your searching to & are quite often reflective as a result. It brings to mind 'The Wizard of Oz' where the outstanding messege was "You've always had it my dear!"
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Summary: Everyone must read this book before living their life!
Review: A friend gave me this book a few weeks ago with the instructions to read it at least every six months to keep a good perspective on life. Intrigued by his words, I immediately began the Alchemist, and realized that he was right. Coehlo's insight is extraordinary and uplifting. While at times his messages are a bit forced, the story and morals occur plainly enough for effective conveyance without overdoing it. I plan on buying this book for all my friends, for everyone should learn to dream of their own personal legend and fufillment.
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Summary: Full of Wisdom in a Simple and Humble Way
Review: The book begins with Santiago, a simple Spanish shepherd, arriving at an abandoned church with a single sycamore tree. Despite his extensive travels all over Andalucia, Santiago has never encountered this church before, but nevertheless decides that it is as good of place as any to settle down for the night. Santiago then experiences a mysterious and prophetic dream of hidden treasure at the Pyramids of Egypt. This dream makes Santiago's thirst for knowledge, wisdom and new experiences even stronger. After seeking advice from a gypsy and meeting a magical king, Santiago must decide whether to give up everything familiar and comfortable in his life and seek the treasure, following the path of his true destiny along the way. Or choosing, as most people do, to remain, and finally lose sight of his destiny. Seeking ancient and worldly wisdom as well as the treasure, Santiago travels to northern Africa. Faced with obstacles and doubts from the beginning, Santiago finally reaches his destination. Along the way, he makes friends, meets the love of his life and most significantly, gains wisdom from an enigmatic alchemist. The lessons and wisdom Santiago acquires during his adventure can be applied to everyday life in today's society. Although the story is a very simply written allegory, the underlying wisdom is very powerful and profound. Readers must be willing to open their eyes and minds and many parallels between modern real life and Santiago's life can be found. These include society's fear of change and the unwillingness to seek destiny and true happiness, instead preferring to settle into a comfortable and familiar, if not inhibiting, routine. For anyone with an open mind and an open heart , this book has many lessons to teach.
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Summary: Teachings Of Life
Review: I read this book on the recommendation of a friend. After reading The Alchemist, I was left wanting more. The book introduces us to a boy who is a shepherd, but always appears to smarter than your average person. He sets out to find his "treasure" at the Pyramids in Egypt at the advice of a fortune teller. Along the way, he encounters many different types of people as well as several difficult obstacles, and he learns a great deal from an old alchemist that he meets at an oasis. In searching for his "treasure," he embarks on his own "Personal Legend." He staggers upon wealth a couple of times, and he meets Fatima, the woman of his dreams and his apparent soul mate, only to leave her in search of his "treasure." This book portrays many of life's lessons, and speaks of one all-knowing universal language. The book teaches as it moves along. While the overall background of the book dealt with his search for his "treasure" and places a high regard on material wealth, it teaches you to believe in yourself and never give up. The shepherd became wealthy in wisdom way before he becomes rich. The book was well written, and has a nice flow, almost as if it has poetic tones to it. It is loaded with nice descriptive and philosophical language that makes for a quick read. The ending is satisfying, although I would have truly liked to see what happened next.
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Summary: FUNDAMENTAL......
Review: This book reminds me somewhat of an artpiece, lots of people look at an artpiece but rare are those that look into it. There is nothing materialistic, nor political nor sexist about the simple lines that cunstruct this story. Don't take it in its first degree, there is a quest in this man's life like in all of ours. We aren't different from him under this aspect, but in this beautiful story Coehlo shines the beauty of destiny and casuality in life. We're all going in one direction but the routes that we take to go there differ. All of us might have experienced some coincidences that have opened new doors or put us right back on track. This book is all about it, a man inspired by a quest and guided by fate, in which he believes. Simple and beautiful.....
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Summary: A Wonderful Fable for Young and Old
Review: Coelho tells a wonderful story about an Andalusian shepherd boy and his search for the treasure promised to him by a fortune teller, but even more interesting is the not-so-subtle message he weaves into the tale. Although this was originally written in Portuguese, the translation reads with a poetic quality that contributes to the magical themes of the novel. Read this book. You won't be disappointed.
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