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Summary: comp is mentos
Review: My terror, your life. This book board me and made me cry. Sikh pages I found the English were nice. Like my friend's sister, this book burned down all the hot walls. It is now stapled together, buy this version and get my marks all over, again. But I am not sad, I am the at the beginning and at the end, not between or under cover. Raise out and get it or I will know you
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Summary: Insightful, imaginative, and inspiring
Review: No matter where you are in the journey of life, you instinctually know where you stand, not in relation to others, or in physical space, but in reference to following and achieving your dreams. All to often dreams and their pursuit is repressed, as security and predictability are clung to. The Alchemist is an elegant tale of a boy who forgoes the safety and security of remaining in the village in which he was born and raised. With the blessing of his parents, he decides to purchase a flock of sheep and see the country. Life as a shepherd is rewarding, for a time. It's predictable, and fulfilling, yet a recurring dream leads the boy to believe there is more to life, than remaining a shepherd. After consulting with a gypsy and a king, the boy decides to sell his flock, and embark on a journey to find treasure in the Egyptian pyramids (his dream). The ensuing journey forces the boy to dig deep within himself, to trust his intuition, make the most of some less than ideal circumstances, and most of all the believe in himself. Numerous people, and encounters, including war, and the woman of his dreams, build his character, and ability to trust his intuition throughout the journey. The treasure he reaps is the reward of trusting himself, pursuing his dreams, and having no regrets throughout the journey of life. The Alchemist touches on issues faced by many people. It is a story about following a dream, and living w/o regrets. It's about having the courage to step into uncharted territory, outside the safety of the familiar, and embark on a rewarding journey. If you are holding back in life, feeling that you are capable of much more than your present reality, pick up a copy of this book, and give it a few hours (which is all it'll take you to read it). It'll make you think, make you dream, and just maybe give you the courage trust yourself, follow your intuition, and realize those dreams you know you are capable of achieving.
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Summary: A great philosophy
Review: This book taught me one big lesson and that is we have to be patient and should have the "go for it" attitude if we are to become successful in life. You would never keep the book down till you have come to the end of it, (though it is boring in some chapters) cos that is the myseterious way in which it has been written. Excellently written and a must read for people who have a negative attitude of life...
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Summary: a fable about the meaning of life
Review: I originally picked up The Alchemist because I thought the story looked interesting and while I found that it was, I also discovered that this novel was more than a quick read - it was a reminder of what life is all about. The novel begins with a shepherd who dreams of traveling and finding his fortune. He can not ignore his dreams and he seeks out someone who may be able to help him discover the true meaning of these dreams. Along the way Santiago, the shepherd meets with disappointment as well as enlightenment at the oddest of places. He learns that one must see the world with truly open eyes, one must see the signs that are all around him and are simply waiting to guide you to the truth that is inherent in all things. It is along his journey that Santiago begins to realize what his life's journey is all about. Santiago meets with a king, a crook, an Englishman, a true love and of course, the alchemist along his way. He learns, as does the reader that not everything is as it seems on the surface and that to find true happiness one must look beyond the obvious and must learn to see the good in all of life's disappointments. While I wished the book was a bit longer, I did find that it made me look at life in a new way. This book can be read as a story, a fable or a guide to life. Which ever way the reader chooses to look at this book, he or she will hopefully gain a new perspective on life.
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Summary: An Truly Inspiring Fable
Review: First off this book should (if possible) be read in portuguese or spanish, as the english translation does it no justice, it reads like an elementary school book. Apart from this detail, the story is compelling. Coelho's message is simple, follow your dreams, but more importantly it leaves the reader with an "itch"....reminding you to constantly evaluate yourself with respect to what you want out of life. This, I think, is the message Coelho delivers so well. The book delves into the religious a bit, however it is probably his best work. Other books such as "The Fifth Mountain" get a bit too religious for my taste. I would reccomend this book to anyone, regardless of the need to "follow your dreams", it is very inspiring.
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Summary: Superficial simplicity
Review: Last spring I read "Illusions," by Richard Bach. When I read the reviews online, one guy mentioned he thought "The Alchemist" was superior to the story of "Illusions." I finally got around to "Alchemist" and I must say I was quite disappointed. First off, yes I realize it's considered a fable, but the writing style is far too simplistic. I don't know if it's the translation, but it reads like a book an elementary schooler would read for a report. Annoying points: there are page after page of adolescent terms like "Master Work" and "Personal Legend" and "Language of the Universe", repetitious redundancies of quotes, just in case you haven't been paying attention, and very little masking of points. Coelho must not trust the reader to pick things up because he screams them at you. But, that's just the writing style. As for the writing, there is a clear spiritual basis to the story, which is welcome, but the incessant talk of fate was a complete turn-off. I also felt there was an air of superiority to it. Santiago would pass people who seemed happy in their lives, and he would feel sorry for them because they weren't on a trek. In the case of the crystal shop owner, yes, he was pathetic for not pursuing his dream of going to Mecca. But to look at another shop owner and judge he has not pursued his dream, when perhaps his dream was to settle with his family, was distracting. On to love....um, he meets a woman midway through the story and falls in love before they speak? Oooookay. And this woman he supposedly loves, and with whom he could settle with and be rich, he leaves to discover a treasure. Why is his dream that of a material/monetary nature? I had a tiny problemo with that one. So, before this becomes a lecture. I give it 3 stars for some of the dialogue Santiago has with the alchemist, and for its basic idea: pursue your dream, as it will haunt you if you don't. However, this is hardly a fantastic book....it just speaks to the masses, where others may require one to think more.
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Summary: The Alchemist: A Different Fable About Following Your Dream
Review: Wow. Where to begin? I had to read this book as a summer assignment for an English class, and I had very low expectations for it when I started. The plot sounded too preachy, like something I'd already heard several million times before (follow your dreams, let your heart guide you, and so on). However, once I finished the first few pages, I was entranced. Santiago's story fascinated me, and stimulated my mind and conscience to the point that I find myself thinking of the morals illustrated in The Alchemist on a daily basis. Character development is not impressive in this story, as the boy (Santiago) is the entire focus of narration. The other various characters throughout the story do not build much of an identity. However, the lack of supporting characters detracts only from the surface value of the book, not the messages it is meant to display. In a nutshell, it's a short, well-written story, and leaves quite an impression on the reader's outlook on life. What more can one ask?
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Summary: Ingenious, Magical, Timeless
Review: I don't know what else to say. I read this book when I was 17 upon the recommendation of a speaker named Patrick Combs who came over to the University -- and from the first few pages on I was hooked and I've read it at least once a year since then. I learned so much practical wisdom from the book. Like the part where Santiago comes up with the idea to sell "tea in crystal glasses." Upon hearing such a simple idea, I'm pretty sure, was when I started to see how value in everything is created not just from hard work, but that it also comes with fresh ideas and enthusiasm. Or the part when The Englishman and Santiago were in the desert talking about how things are often made more complicated than they really are -- also thus creating a sort of artifical value. Hence, one of my favorite lines from the book: "So that that those that have the responsibility for understanding can understand ... Imagine if everyone went around transforming lead into gold. Gold would lose its value." But I guess these were just an example of a few things that I got out of it -- probably since I've always been passionate about business. But that's what makes this book really neat -- each person can take away something different. And in the end, I haven't met a person, or have a heard a friend that I've given the book too say that they weren't inspired to find and prusue their dream afterwards. It's truly a treasured and special book. (I wish they'd consider making it into a movie!)
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Summary: Makes You Think
Review: "No matter what he does, every person on earth plays a central role in the history of the world. And normally, he doesn't know it." With lines like this throughout the book, it makes very spiritual reading. It made me think about what my life dream is, what my "Personal Legend" is suppose to be and how I am to know it when, and if it ever comes to me. The book seems to over simplify things like this. The young boy learns what his life dream or Personal Legend is literally in a recurring dream and then it is confirmed by meeting various people who clearly are "messengers from God". I don't think you have to be religious to enjoy this book but it clearly mirors the New Testemant and the teachings of Jesus. But in the end, the hunt for his "treasurer" is material in nature, gold, jewels, etc. and this seems to be an ending at odds with much of the body of the book. I also didn't get into the magical portion of the book, turning into the wind, for example. However, in the age of Harry Potter, this might be a very attractive book for young readers. It's a quick read and I found myself really thinking about some of the lines, even underlining many. Well worth the time and effort.
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Summary: A Treasure of a Book!
Review: I found The Alchemist to be a wonderful tale on pursuing one's dreams. Coelho shows how easy it is to give up ever attaining one's dreams due to complacency - or not wanting to move out of one's comfort zone. "People are afraid to pursue their most important dreams, because they feel that they don't deserve them, or that they'll be unable to achieve them." Another endearing quote from the book, "There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure." Yet Santiago does want to pursue his dream of finding his treasure and yes, at times we see and feel his fear, but along his journey, he has learned to listen to his heart and to trust what his heart teaches him. "When a person really desires something all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream." Throughout the book, we see "omens" appearing in Santiago's path, leading him to his dream. Instead of ignoring these wonderful omens, Santiago listens, observes, and follows the guidance set forth from his heart. He faces his fears, faces his demons, and he learns to trust. He is constantly tested along the way, yet he continues to listen to the murmurings of his heart, which are never wrong. Santiago learns about love along the way and helps others to face their fears as well. Coelho states, "And that's where the power of love comes in. Because when we love, we always strive to become better than we are." Some may see this fable as contrite, or overworked or too new age for their tastes. I disagree and loved the messages that this book imparted, interwoven in the tale of the desert, The Alchemist, and Santiago. This book, I found, imparted to me numerous jewels of wisdom. I was captured and absorbed into the tale and found myself relating to the fears, but I completely understood the message of following one's dreams, listening to one's heart, trusting, loving and learning to let go of fear. "Listen to your heart. It knows all things, because it came from the Soul of the World, and it will one day return there. Wherever your heart is, that is where you'll find your treasure. Your heart is alive. Keep listening to what it has to say." The Alchemist imparts these words of wisdom to Santiago when Santiago begins to doubt and question. "Everyone on earth has treasure that awaits him," his heart said. "We, people's hearts, seldom say much about those treasures, because people no longer want to go in search of them. We speak of them only to children. Later we simply let life proceed, in its own direction, toward its own fate. But, unfortunately, very few follow the path laid out for them - the path to their destinies, and to happiness. Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out, indeed, to be a threatening place. So we, their hearts, speak more and more softly. We never stop speaking out . . " This tale is inspiring, imaginative, and captivating. Santiago grows throughout the story and in the end, even though he was tested severely, he preserved and obtained his treasure by following his dream. We only limit ourselves - only we place limitations on us, as the universe conspires to aid us in all directions. I highly recommend this book and since this is the second book I have read by Coelho, I now need to read them all! These words speak to my heart!
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