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Summary: A modern masterpiece!
Review: I have now read "The Alchemist" for the fifth time, this time to my neice of 9; Paulo Coelho has written an inspiring and heart warming tale to appeal people of every age, race and lifestyle. It is charming and easy to read and will keep the reader enchanted throughout. Everyone that I know who has read the book shares my enthusiasm, so it is of no suprise that the book holds the 'cult' status that it does worldwide. BUY THIS BOOK!
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Summary: A great book when making a life change!
Review: This book truly follows the theory of "Follow Your Bliss". It's a wonderful book about finding what you want to do and setting out to achieve it. Tough there may be set backs on your journey, the story encourages you to never lose sight of what it is you truly desire. The Alchemist shows that lessons can be learned from all things: a flock of sheep, the desert, a crystal shop, and anywhere you choose to look.
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Summary: It came at the right time
Review: I was travelling Southeast Asia when a man I met suggested that I read The Alchemist. A month and a half later, in South Vietnam, a little boy selling photocopied books came up to me. On the top of the pile was The Alchemist. A girl I was travelling with at the time saw what I had just bought. She took the book from me and scribbled something in the front cover. "This came to you at the perfect time. What I wrote will made more sense after you've read the book."Off on my own, on the way to Cambodia, I started to read this book. I became the shepherd and it became aware to me that everything really does happen for a reason. This book carried me through, what was for me, a scary turning point in my own spiritual life.
Rating: 
Summary: Short & sweet...
Review: ...yet it had left me feeling rather strange. While I could relate to many messages underlying the narrative, many of them went so crucially against my beliefs about the world. So, perhaps, me not fully enjoying The Alchemist is a personal thing. Yes, it is filled with great philosophies, metaphors and allegories, and I enjoyed stopping now and then to think over this or that line. Yes, it speaks the universal language which all of us can relate to, yet without the preachy feeling of so many similar books. Yet there are some great lapses in logic that would make many people feel this book is nothing but pointless babble. For example, the fact of one of the characters saying there is no such thing as fate later contradicts itself in the idea that the universe will always conspire to help someone who is realizing their Personal Legend. Isn't the entire book, technically, about just that - fate? Destiny? Something pre-determined about someone's life? The way the journey goes is not determined, yet the outcome is - that's called fate. Another problem I had with this book is the obvious importance it puts on money and material wealth. The entire journey of the boy is about finding "treasure". He leaves behind the woman he loves to go look for his "treasure". And the woman is left there to wait patiently, much like the sheep he'd left behind in his homeland, much like a possession - a parallel likely not meant by the author. Yet this is what it sounded like to me, and it did disturb me (and I'm not even a feminist!). I can understand many other women being disturbed by this imagery as well. I was also wondering why the author gives us the name of the protagonist in the very first sentence, yet never calls him by his name ever again throughout the entire book. But that's a nitpick. So, in general, if you can get over the childish language and the allegories, and remember that it's just a fable, you'll enjoy this book.
Rating: 
Summary: A timeless modern fable
Review: I am so glad that Harper-Collins had the foresight to pick this book up and reprint it with a nice new cover in a trade edition, because otherwise, I may have never discovered it. The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, will uncannily relate to anyone's life. You will read it and wonder, "How is it that I'm dealing with these very issues? Today, in fact!" The parable of Santiago's journey to Egypt is primarily concerned with showing the rewards of following your own dream, or your own "Personal Legend". In fact, certain individual lines are so wonderful, that one could easily put together a book of wisdom using only direct quotes: "When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it." But in addition, the Alchemist is told well. The translation is clear and the story is engaging. It is a story before a self-help book. But what a great shroud for a self-help book to wear. This book will make you want to write down your dreams, listen to the wind and your heart, and follow your own Personal Legend fearlessly. And if you're weird and hate the book... big deal, it only took one day to read.
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Summary: amazingly encourging!
Review: Two friends of mine reconmmended I read this book.So I did what I was told,while reading the first chapter,I go "wow ! I don't believe it's just a novel!"I meditated on words connecting to myself,and I got inspired a lot.It's absolutely a must-read ,trust me.It'll change your viewpoints toward things you struggle with and your life.The book's currently on loan for my friend now.Thanks a lot my beloved friends---Mary Ann & Manoli!
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Summary: An Important book with Subtle and Obvious Messages
Review: This is a sweet tale. You could quickly read it and get a nice surgary taste in your mouth. Or, you could go deeper and get a combination flavors. I think this book shows that there is no one important event that shapes our lives even though it might seem obvious that there is. Very often the most subtle instances can carry as much weight as those that are widely evident. While our hero learns important lessons from the Alchemist himself, it is the other characters who are as important to Sheapard boy's development. Pay very carefull attention to the camel driver. His thoughts on life are deep and worthy of meditation. But they are also plan on how to live everyday life. Be the moment!
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Summary: GREAT! I LOVE IT!
Review: This book is one of the best and greatest books I have ever read.. NO! It's the BEST! It's a book that touches and moves your heart, and leaves you determined to do the best you can to make your dreams come true.. It makes your heart scream: " Ohhh yes I will follow my heart, follow my dreams"! Actually I don't know how to describe how I feel about this book! The best I can say is.. I LOVE IT! Thanks to my dearest friend who told me about it..
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Summary: Follow your dreams
Review: This book should be read by teenagers who are about to venture out on their own. I stopped frequently to contemplate the passages that I had read and read them again and again. This book taught me that life is really a journey and it is also what you make of it. Follow your dreams/goals and hold on to hope. The results may amaze you. The Alchemist is the BEST book that I have read in the past 10 years!
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Summary: It is like a second Bible
Review: This work is a masterpeice! Coelho is a genius in which he expresses the idea of following your dreams. This book teaches you to follow the omens, to just look at the little things in life that come along. One little thing could lead to one enormous thing. When I read this book, I copied down all of the quotes and lines that just hit me in the heart. In the end I just yelled, "YES!" Coelho has been blessed, for he has changes the lives of millions of people in just 167 pages. I recommend this book to anyone looking for "the" answer! Thanks!
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