Rating: 
Summary: It wasn't the story, it was the point behind it.
Review: The story I could have done without, but the meaning of the story was incredible. Coelho gives you no excuse to sit and wonder about life and what ifs--couple together "The Alchemist" and "By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept," and you have no excuses not to GO.
Rating:
Summary: Never Give Up
Review: We had to read this book for our contemporary literature class. Usually the books we are told to read are boring and tiresome. This one was not. It captured our full attention and kept us wondering if Santiago would keep pursuing his Personal Legend. We as teenagers know the feeling of trying to acheive our Personal Legends. Our goals may not be as improbable as Santiago's, but they are important to our lives and how we come out in this world.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent
Review: I'm just halfway through this book and I already want to read it again. I sincerely believe that this is a book that can alter the readers life. Few books provide such an insight on what life is about and chasing your dreams. This book will surely cause you to reflect on your own life and to chase your dreams.
Rating:
Summary: A most thoughtful and enlightening masterpiece!!
Review: Simple Superb!! This book has brought to light a multitude of mystical thoughts and visions. A delightful reading with lots to learn!!
Rating:
Summary: It's not the ultimate goal, but what you do to get there.
Review: I read The Alchemist about 5 months ago, and being so busy with my job and lots of other changes in my life, I haven't really had time to ponder the lifelong lessons that this story taught me, until yesterday when I recommended this book to a friend. While I was giving a synopsis of the story, a revelation came over me and I understood exactly what the book meant to me. The Alchemist tells the story of someone who follows their dreams to reality, regardless of the consequences, building knowledge and life experience along the way. There was an ultimate goal to the shepherd boy's quest...but what I learned was that this goal became less and less important, as the experiences this boy gained through his quest were priceless compared to the riches his ultimate goal would provide. This book made me realize that people get too comfortable in their surroundings, and often sacrifice their own dreams and quests to fear of the unknown. The Alchemist addresses many important life issues in a children-like story format, thereby allowing the reader to be comfortable and ponder these deep issues as they relate to their own life. Paulo Coelho does an excellent job of evoking deep thought on a personal basis, with an innocent yet powerful piece of literature.
Rating:
Summary: A literary masterpiece of the late twentieth century
Review: Being a freshman in college, this book provided me with more comfort than all the previous words from my family and friends. It brilliantly shows how essential it is for people of all ages to expand their comfort zones and follow their dreams. It was easily digested and will be with me forever
Rating:
Summary: Find the soul of the world and your personal legond
Review: I was given this book as a gift, I was a confused teenager, usure of which way to look at life. Unsure of who I was. After reading this book I know have some reassurence that we are not alone. The main character is confused. Omens all around him, unnoticed at first, until he is told to look for them. After he crosses a desert "just because of a recurrent dream" he finds the soul of the world. He watches all the aspects of the soul work together until he finds his own, personal legond. He sees the pyramid. He finds true love. All this can be related to life today. If you have a chance I highly recomend buying this book. It will be one of the best books you will ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Is like a course on your life
Review: When I read this book , it was like a sing who told me to realize my dream. This book really touch me and I think that everybody may have to read it too. I read this book with an Highlither for not forget the message who is tried to show. So i give 5 start for this book because his the first one who talk about my dream and what I'm thinking about. It was like my life on a paper.
Rating: 
Summary: If you really want to use your brain avoid this book.
Review: he doesn't challenge the reader to think.Reading Alchemist, it like reading Spiderman comic book but of course with Spiderman being much better.Superman has more philosophy than any book of Paulo Coelho,and I bet he has a collection of Superman at home.A book have to have a historic context with solid foundation and if it wants to be good have to have a central basic idea that it will lead the destiny and behavior of the characters independent of the happy end. If you really wants a good book read Time and the Wind by Erico Verissimo this that call a excellent book from a excellent writter.
Rating:
Summary: Provides the impetus to get in touch with your heart
Review: I read The Alchemist over a year ago at a point where I really needed some perspective. This book gave it to me, and I've since recommended it to many friends. The message I got from this book is a spiritual one - that only by finding what you love and what your passion is do you move in line with the universe - according to the way things are destined to be. If you don't see inside your heart/soul clearly, it's difficult to move forward in line with the universe. It's an inspirational way to look at life and at the course we chart for ourselves over the years. So again, this book is fantastic - I encourage everyone to read it - whether you're currently content or not. It's a reminder of what matters.
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