Rating: 
Summary: Short and sweet
Review: The Alchemist is a wonderful fable (if I may call it that) on following your dreams without fear or hesitance. When you come to think of it, life really is that simple if you just believe and persevere. Coehlo's imagery is vivid and magical.
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Summary: A magical tale, by the most beloved Brazilian writer
Review: This is the best book I ever read. I am really suprised with the bitterness of a reader, who sent, on November 7, the same review twice. In one,he claims that he is from South East Brazil (there is no such a region called South East Brazil), and in the second one he is from Florida. He complains about grammar (? ), Portuguese (? ). As one of the brilliant reviewers pointed out here in this same page, persons like this one should first fine tune his own English. And, in my opinion, Amazon should make a distinction between people who read the book, and people - like this reader (from Florida? From Brasil? Saying that Coelho "commit mistakes"?) who uses this space to distile his bitterness against a successful writer.
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Summary: The Personal Legend is there
Review: I learnt from this book that one should believe in himself and what he really wants to do. The author called it "La Legende Personnelle" or the personal legend. Paulo encourages each one to follow through the legend, which he wants to make true until he actually makes it real. Paulo highlights the power of using nature in order to reach what we want. Melting in the nature and using it to serve our needs requires a lot of self assurance and contemplation. Alchemy, in the material sense, is turning sand into gold, while in the spiritual sense, is using one's confidence and power to reach whatever he wants to do. For instance, one can become a storm.
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Summary: An Excellent Book 'Pregnant' With Meaning
Review: Although I'm only 13 years old, and I have not read many classic examples of fine literature, I found that the Alchemist was an excellent book in the tradition of romantic literature. I plan on reading it several more times in the future, so I can scrape every meaning I can from it. I found that the book appeared very 'childish' on the outside, but if one really examined the book, it was cleverly put together, with topics that intertwine, weaving a captivating book for all ages. It provided me with some interesting insight as to how I would carry my life in the future, to take advantage of oppertunities and not leave everything up to chance. I found that, being in my teens, this was an excellent book that tought me not everything is easy, and that greater things are out there, one just needs to realize that truth and take advantage of all they can. Once again, an excellent book. The only thing I was looking for was perhaps a little more character developmen. Other than that, I loved it.
Rating:
Summary: pretty neat
Review: Well this book was a suprise to me. I had never heard of The Alchemist before believe it or not, and decided to read it for a project I had to do. It was thin and I thought I could read it and get it over with. But the book totally blew me away and I couldn't put it down. The way it told how life was so simple sounded so pathetic to me, but I listened to Paulo's message and let it soak in and took it as an expierence. I won't say this book has changed my life but it has made me think some what differently. I warn you this is coming from a person that is not an avid reader and read the book with out any expectations, without expectations I think this is the only way to read this book. I would recommend this book to someone looking for adventure and without any expectations. As much as this book was spiritual I found more adventure's than spiritual stuff. Don't listen to all the other reviews that state Paulo is over rated and the book is stupid. They read the book in spite of Paulo's success, so they could make fun of it. Read the book and you'll hopefully like it.
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Summary: WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!
Review: First of all, I'd like to say that this book was one of the best I've ever read. This is the kind of book that you can't just read and be done with it. This is a book for thinkers. If you just want to read it for the story, you can, but you won't get much out of it. You really have to dive into it and really read the MESSAGE of the story. We are all entitled to opinions. And this is my opinion--for all of you who said that this is just a children's story, if a child read it, do you think that child would be able to understand all of the meanings in the story? Also, I am extremely offended by some of you who gave bad reviews of this book and went on to say that "it would be a success in America," implying that Americans are dumb. I can't believe that kind of prejudice and stereotyping would show up in all places, a forum for book reviews. Wake up people! Is the place that you live a prerequisite for intelligence? Does your race, your nationality, your culture determine your intelligence? And, what does that have to do with a book review anyway? I am surprised that Amazon.com published those comments, when it goes against their review guidelines. It makes me wonder if they will publish my comments. It's also interesting to note that most of the people who gave this book a bad review need to fine-tune their grammar. Just a thought...
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Summary: A wise and cool story that stays in your mind
Review: This is the real deal -- in a world chock-full of pseudo-spiritual self-help blather, Coelho has written a simple, rich children's story -- for adults. I tend to read this book once a year, and it's always fresh and means something new each time. The idea that "risk" is nothing more than following your deepest idea of what you should be, and being willing to suffer whatever befalls you with a clear heart, is very powerful -- but could be tremendously corny in the hands of someone less charming than Coelho. A book to give to people you like.
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Summary: for open minded readers
Review: It says right on the cover. A FABLE. It disgusts me how some of you sit there and say it was a fable with no deep meaning. "after all the hyper I heard on it i read through it in 2 days and there is nothing deep here". If you can just sit every now and then, with an open mind. Not expecting a deep insight on your lifes meaning, you will enjoy it, i loved this book. If you even knew anything about spiritual awakenings you wouldn't be trying to find it in a book. All you pish posh im to deep and profound for this book, im a true alchemist, get off the computer? what are you doing writing a review for a book you dont even like? .... you can reach me at deepsinger@aol.com if you would like to discuss it.
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Summary: Touches The Soul!
Review: This is truly a profound & uplifting book. It is very simple & carries a meaniful & compelling message to folow your heart's desire, not you mind's desire nor the desires & expectations of society. It is quite obvious that Paulo Coelho is a very learned & spiritual man. One must ruthlessly persue to associate with great minds & Souls even if the medium be books. After reading "The Alchemist" I was awakened to listen to my Heart & started giving supreme importance to my Soul. I pasionately recommend these books: "Sidartha" & "Journey to Ixtlan"
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Summary: This book forces self introspection.
Review: This book foreces self introspeciton for those who are willing to see are hear the message that it teaches. I wish I could read spanish and read it in it's native tounge. The writing is simple, and the story is easy to follow. But it is captivating and gripping and leaves you with somting to think about. I is more that a little childrens story, it is the ability to have faith. But you must be open to the message, or you will not enjoy it.
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