Rating: 
Summary: Excellent
Review: very intriguing.......beautifully written.......very insightful.....I could not put it down.
Rating: 
Summary: Just so unbelievably bad
Review: It probably isn't worth criticizing a book like this. If you happen to be a fan of the genre -- simpleminded, inspirational fables -- you'll probably like this book. If you're not a fan of this genre, stay as far away as possible. The book is basically a string of fortune cookies presented in the form of a story about a Spanish sheperd boy who listens to his heart and seeks a treasure buried (inexplicably) near the Egyptian pyramids. And when I say the boy listens to his heart, he really listens to his heart: by the end of the book, he is having full debates with his heart, not to mention with the desert, the wind, the sun, the Magical Hand, and the Soul of the World, all of whom speak in conveniently short sentences. The lessons contained in this book do not constitute "simple wisdom" or "spiritual messages." They are feel-good cliches, pure and simple. Some of the cliches may be true, but they're unlikely to change anyone's life. As one of the positive reviewers of this book notes, "THE POINT, is that what you search for is usually RIGHT THERE all along, and that the journey you take to find it is about learning lessons and growing as a person. Get it yet? LIFE IS IN THE JOURNEY, NOT THE DESTINATION!!" There you go. You don't have to read the book now. You've just saved yourself ten bucks. Although you won't learn anything from this book, perhaps you'll get some spiritual uplift from the story itself. I personally found the story pointless and the writing limp, but you be the judge: "Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure."
"One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving." There are about ten quotes like this per page, so if this sort of thing cheers you, you might find the book to your liking. Alternatively, you could rent the Wizard of Oz, which is far more enjoyable and conveys the same messages. Basically this book spends a lot of time trying to convince you of the joys of journeying and learning about life. If you don't need any convincing, I recommend buying some real literature or going on an actual journey. You might actually learn something.
Rating:
Summary: So simple yet so profound
Review: This book gives a fresh perspective of our spiritual lives. I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure.
Rating: 
Summary: Of Duty and Destiny...
Review: This book creates a dichotomy which I consider to be so important in our lives, that of duty and destiny. Coelho argues that the two are one and the same. His words are simple, to the point, and perhaps most importantly reflective. This book is less about a shepherd, or an alchemist or an Englishman, this book is about you, me, its about all of us. You'll find that it sparks inside you the dreams and passions which you had when you were twelve years old, your unbridled optimism and unflinching dedication to what you believed was right and just. Read this book all at once, savor every word but this book is a single meal, it is a late lunch which leaves the rest of the afternoon and evening to contemplate its teachings and its wisdom. Be prepared for the 12 year old within, and should you heed the message of the book, you will embrace him.
Rating: 
Summary: Poorly Written
Review: This is not a literary story. Self-help book lovers will enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: i love this book!
Review: i love this book... i even want to give this book as a gift to all my friends last christmas, too bad it's out of stock here in the Philippines... i'm no literary critic so i'll spare you those snooty review discussing the allegories and whatnots...all i can say is this book is so profound that it will make you stop for a while and reflect on what's happening with your life... because in one way or another we all experienced wanting to achieve something the reason why you'll get the feel of Santiago's character... i recommend this book who is struggling to achieve their dreams... those who are just starting a business because this book will 'somehow' help you take that first step... so grab one and see for yourself!
Rating:
Summary: Real Truths
Review: Despite being a surprisingly simple book filled with simplistic wording, short phrasing and curt statements, The Alchemist, by Paul Coelho, is a book that one remembers for a long time after they have read it. The short novel centers around a shepherd boy named Santiago, who yearns to explore and discover treasures in the far parts of the world. As he begins in Spain, dreams and signs that appear to lead in one constant path guide him. On his journey, he continues learning about strange, new concepts of spirituality, emotions, folklore, concepts of Romanticism that Coelho managed to combine within this story.
Even though the storyline is rather easy to follow throughout the book, the abstract ideas and thoughts that surround the character are often highly thought invoking. Concepts of life, love, and destiny abound in this story, often requiring a lot of thinking in between the chapters. The element of magic adds to the intrigue, since it is often in the discussions Santiago has with other characters about magic that reveal more insight to the plot. Taken simply, the story appears as an analogy to life and its processes. However, under closer analysis, The Alchemist turns out to closely entwine the different cultures of the Mediterranean, as well as offer a glimpse into religious beliefs and values of the region, namely Islam and Christianity.
Another factor in the quality of this story relies on the small twists and turns that are scattered randomly throughout the plot, making the story fairly hard to predict. The introduction of characters is at an easy pace, with the author only mentioning those vital to the plot, while other roles are downplayed. In effect, this style highlights the true values of each individual in the book, as well as gives the reader a positive outlook on the author¡¦s values. By combining the factors of emotion and religion, life and continuity, good and evil, Coelho manages to stir the reader impressionably every time the book is read and re-read.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect Simplicity
Review: To keep it short, I did not read the end of this book as I am prone to do. It was incredibly interesting to me. For some reason, I did not even think to read ahead that is how much I loved this book. Although, orginally I was just going to throw this book back onto amazon or ebay, I do not believe that I can part with this book. Read this book, if it is the only book you read this year. It is perfect.
Rating:
Summary: mcL - really enjoyed it
Review: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a page turning, interesting book. The book is about a Andalusian shepherd boy called Santiago going on this journey trying to find the "treasure". On this journey he meets people that teach him things, shape his life. One of the person he meets is this girl Fatima which he falls in love with, in the end he realizes that love isn't everything and that he should carry on with the journey. This book tells you that it is how you do it that's important not what you get at the end. If you tried you hardest to do something and didn't get it, its okay, but you know you have gave it a shot. This book also shows how we should trust our hearts, that we should fulfill our dream. Like the crystal merchant, another person Santiago met on the journey, he was one person who taught him a lot. Crystal merchants were suppose to go to Mecca at least once, and this one made enough money so that he could afford the trip but he didn't go, because he thought if he left this place, he wouldn't fulfill his dream of being a merchant.
I truly recommend this book to people who enjoy reading things about life, mystery, adventure. It is a serious book with barely any jokes. People who are looking for a good book that is short, and enjoy mystery this is the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: Most inspiring book i've ever read!
Review: Its hard to justify a 5 star rating for book whose plot and philosophies are inherantly cliche, yet is compiled and thought up so brilliantly that the authors message isnt trivialised. The alchemist did just that. Ive read books, poetry, and even saw motivational seminars intent on uplifting the soul. None of them did quite what the alchemist did for me. Paolo Coehlo incorporated elements of disunity; sadness and loss, to strengthen the underlying message. It teaches you not to hold on too dearly to things in life; that by ascending the hindrances of posession, you can achieve the truly great goals in life. At the end of the novel, you feel almost that the whole world will help you, when you want to achieve something. Its messages are terse, yet can be interpreted in many ways. The author did for me what years of religion couldnt. Or rather, he articulated the most important aspects of many religions, in a refined and multi layered spiritual doctrine. The alchemist provides the soul food that in the 21st century seems scant.
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