The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream

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Summary: the purpose is in the reading
Review: As with any deliberate text there seems to be a purpose to this book. The process you go through to discover the purpose is the reason. This is the type of book you will tell your friends about. The type of book you'll think about in years to come. Very powerful and incredibly clever, without you immediately realising it. You might think, "oh another 'change-your-life' style book!" but the simple clarity of this book will really make you see things differently. If you've read "The Little Prince", read this. If not, read both!

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Summary: Follow your dream
Review: Some times there comes a book along that changes your life. The Alchemist is a book like that. Through the narrative of a young man we listen to the wisdom of the author. Paolo Coelho himself has been a student of alchemy for years. What he shares with us through the learning process of one of the charcters in the book is stunning. He reveals a love for life, a willingness for suffering and an ability to be alive every second of this life. This book is a work of art, and it will outlive all of us!

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Summary: The Alchemist - inspiration
Review: A beautiful and yet simple tale of a shepherd boy following his destiny. It could seem over-simplistic to some, but I read this book at a difficult time of life and found it very soothing and uplifting medicine. It really was just what I needed to feel more positive about life.

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Summary: A classic
Review: I read The Alchemist after I have read Sidarta from Herman Hesse. Anyone who reads both books will notice some similarities, but Mr. Coelho's book is superior even thou Mr. Hesse is much more "literature". I felt touched and inspired by the story of the boy who leaves his town to pursue his dream and I'm not this kind of guy. It talks to everyone, that's why it's so successfuly. The press in Brazil used to make fun of his writings and treat his readers as fools, but when the book made a huge success in France, the reviews changed in Brazil and now it is safe to read Paulo Coelho. Read it for yourself, it's a classic and the time has proved it.

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Summary: Influential and Moving
Review: I first picked up this book seven years ago, and its message still has an impact on my everyday life. Those who are unfamiliar with Coelho's work should really choose this as a stepping stone. This story is written in a very simplistic manner, however don't let that fool you into believing that this is a "children's" novel. The metaphors and themes are very well thought-out in expressing fate, life, and one's journey to fulfilling a dream. This is a very spiritual/inspirational piece of work. The section of the novel that impacted me the most is the concept that every little coincidental experience, within one's life, leads and guides us to our true destiny.

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Summary: Follow Your Personal Legend
Review: Author Paulo Coelho wrote this magnificent and simple story of a boy and his dreams. His night time dreams and his life time dreams. The boy has a dream that there lies a great treasure at the Pyramids in Egypt. After meeting with an elusive king, he sets on his journey to find not only his treasure, but to fulfill his Personal Legend. Wonderfully told, witty and inspiring. I felt I knew the character, the boy in his travels and understood his trials as well as the people he came in contact with. Coelho has written the classic story of the hero leaving his homeland to understand the world he lives in, on a spiritual adventure. This book was given to me as a gift from two close friends, and this book reminded me of the simplicity in life and appreciating each moment that comes to us, and treating each of those moments as an omen - to be fully aware that this moment in indeed a gift.

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Summary: A guide to everyday miracles.
Review: There is only one thing to say about this book: no matter where you are in life, it will change you. It is a simple tale, yet wonderfully profound. It teaches with a subtle grace, pointing out the existence of small miracles in everyday life, and the presence of God in everything we do, so long as we know how to look for Him. This book will give you hope, boost your faith, and lift your spirit. It will show you the value of having a dream, and following your heart.

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Summary: Magnificent , and yet simple
Review: Coelho is here at his best. After reading Alchemist you'll be disturbed, because it touches each one of us whatever we believe in, wherever we are. Alchemist should be on everybody's side bed so we can take read and read over and over again.

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Summary: Contains some important lessons for life!
Review: Whilst I did not enjoy this book like I enjoyed Catch 22, or such solid hearty novel, I felt that to offer it less than five stars would be a mistake, and the undervaluing of an important and influential book. I may have loved Catch 22, but I won't necessarily remember it forever, where as The Alchemist raised many issues I believe I will ponder for the remainder of my life. It is a fairly swift read, read by me at odd moments during a single day and finished at the close of the night, and could be described more as pyshcology before novel, however the philosophies of the book are presented brilliantly. Behind the magical mysterious story of a travel loving shepard seeking his true destiny and meeting many people who will shape the rest of his life along the way. I could never 'love' this novel, but it is most certainly an important one, that I will not forget, and although I do not agree with all issues raised, it certainly prompted a fury of thought regarding my life path, and whether I will be doing what I want to in six years, and in sixty. This is single objective of Cohelo's simple book. Hence, for me this book was an utter success. I felt that the length of the book was sufficent; any longer it may have seemed like preaching. All in all, Inspiring philosophies hidden behind a simple story.

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Summary: Back to simplicity
Review: There is something very mystical and heart-warming about simple stories, and yet many of them contain a lot of truths. This is one of my favourite books.