Rating: 
Summary: Inspirational
Review: This is a very sweet book about following your dreams. The most important lesson I learned from this book is that no dream is too hard to achieve. If there's a will there's got to be a way.
Rating:
Summary: Dream Come True - OR - Making your Dream a Reality
Review: A great book to read for all those who wants to see their dreams coming true. The author really follows through the passion of hard work and believing in oneselves towards making the dream come true. The conversations Shepherd had with the wind, desert and the sun are really great. Also his meetings with the Englishman, Merchant, Fatima and Alchemist were outstanding and are totally memorable. He really taught himself and all of us a lot from his journey towards realizing his dream and towards knowing the soul of the world.
Rating: 
Summary: New Age
Review: Sprituality is en vogue. Especially, if it is coming from the Orient. Yoga, meditation, "feng-shui" make frequent appearences in "Cosmopolitan", "Starbucks" proudly sells "herbal infusions" under exotic names, and postcard haikus are full of melancholy but elevating meaning. This book is at the very pinnacle of this culture. It is simply brilliant in its relation to the contemporary soul-searcher: it is written in accessible language and printed in a large font, its length does not go beyond the attention span of the reader, and the number of thoughts does not overstrain his busy mind. For this, I have to raise the rating of the book from the one star I would give it otherwise.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful tale
Review: This is the first book I read of Mr. Coelho and it is simply beautiful. The story is focused on a young shepherd boy and the lengths that we will go to follow his dream. With untimely consequences and circimstances, he finds himself at unexpected situations and places but never the less, he surges on towards his quest no matter how hard the journey gets. The Alchemist is a story of courage and believing, of love and patience that binds us together in following our dreams and living it out.What a read!
Rating:
Summary: Simple or Simplistic?
Review: I understand that this book is meant to be read as a fable, but if that is the case, why does the author insist on spelling everything out for the reader on virtually every single page? Every step of Santiago's journey is so painfully obvious, this feels more like a self-help book with a "plot" thrown on top than a fully thought out novel. Yes, it does contain some basic truths, but that does not make for good reading. Furthermore, unless one is completely un-self-aware, one probably has an idea of what some of these truths are in the first place. But I suppose that's why it's so popular - people caught up in the rat race pick this book up and are convinced they've "seen the light."
Rating: 
Summary: Both original and inspiring ...
Review: ... unfortunately the original bits aren't inspiring and the inspiring bits aren't original. (Ok, OK, if Coelho can rip ideas off why can't I?). This I-Spy book of philosophy is nothing more than 10th rate, watered down Voltaire. For Santiago, read Candide and you'll get some idea of where Coelho's influences came from. If you have not already read Candide or Micromégas, then you may find a spark or two of inspiration within The Alchemist, as Coelho does pull the right string occasionally, making the reader ponder where life is taking them and the essential power each of us possesses to change things. Admirable stuff indeed! When, however one recognises how dirivative and inferior Coelho's writings are, the message becomes tainted, insubstantial and ultimately worthless. By all means click to register your disapproval of my little review, but please, try Voltaire's Candide, either in the original version (if your french is up to it) or in one of the excellent english translations available, and experience the wisdom and humour of a true master who genuinely understood life's great comedy. Coelho falls far short of those he seeks so desperately to emulate.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not original
Review: This book is based on the story of Night 351 of the "One thousand and one nights". J.L. Borges also made a short story (almost a synopsys) of this ("Historia de los dos que soñaron"-Story about the two who dreamt). Mr. Coelho probably got his idea from the latter. Unless you like Coelho's other novels very much, or are into New Age stuff, you would do better buying Borges' "A Universal History of Iniquity" or one of his collected fictions. Coelho's book expands on the (possible) journey of the dreamer, adds some some New Age positive philosophy, and some magic. Though the journey has its good scenes and moments of insight, the "how to" of the philosophy and magic is easily forgotten: its the substance of the story (Night 351) that matters and what the reader will remember most. And that can be put into one sentence that I won't write here. Save yourself the "meditation" and time, and go read Borges.
Rating: 
Summary: A simple, poetic fable
Review: i had "the alchemist" recommended to me by someone who, on a different occasion, also recommended "zen and the art..." i was hesitant to try it because i found "zen" pretentious, wordy, circular and overly self-indulgent. i needn't have worried - on the surface the alchemist is a simple and poetic book, but there are undercurrents of "universal truths" (for lack of a better word). at times i had to lower the book, take a breath and let the realisation of what had been revealed sink in. none of it was revelatory per se, but there were constant switches in the accepted way viewing the world that deserved more contemplation. one of these moments came when the shepherd relates the "heavy burden" of staying in one place. where the accepted view of life is one where the static, predictable, comfortable is the one to be aspired to, coehlo makes the nomadic, searching shepherd's life the truly free one. also, i'm not sure if the translation from spanish had anything to do with it, but the choice of words is often inspired. "the universe CONSPIRES" it could so easily have been "supports you" or "helps you" or any other self-help murmurings insertable there, but it wasn't. it's thievy conspiracy by the world to make sure you are aware of and are prompted to fulfill your dreams. occasionally it degenerates into a affirmations checklist - insert life lesson here, but that happens seldom and because this little book is so likeable you easily forgive it. it's a parable with meaning far beyond its simplicity. even if you miss (and, believe me, it's difficult to) some of the undertones and allegories, it's a pleasing, easy-to-read, satisfying story.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: The Alchmist is an "easy read". Many young (and young at heart) people who are not clear about who they are, their values, or personal goals, would greatly benefit from reading this inspirational story. It sets in motion the possibilities of purpose. The Alchemist is positive and interesting. I suggest it be required reading in the public high schools or colleges today.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring!
Review: I have read this book totally by accident . My girlfriend bought it on a trip of yours but she never bothered reading it . One day , while i was waiting her at her place , i took it and started reading . I finished the book in a couple of hours and i was never able to let it down . Its a small book but its wonderful . A book about our dreams , our goals and how each human being is assigned a personal myth to go after . It can change your whole perception of happiness and success in your life . This little story put me in deep thoughts . I especially liked the intervention of god in the story and how signs show us the way ... Go buy it and you will not regret it .
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