Rating: 
Summary: Philisophical Euphoria
Review: Paulo Coelho's "By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept" was an amazing philosophical journey for me. Recommended by my school librarian, I delved in to the book one night and could not bring myself to put it down until I had finished! Mr. Coelho's brilliant embrace of controversial ideals more than adequately covered the essential human emotions that every man, woman, and child feel at some point. I feel that the philisophical viewpoints presented in the intriguing storyline of this book truly aquaint connotative meanings of thoughts and ideas with the reader. I was able to relate with the story and the characters on a wonderfully personal level; I felt that I have had experiences similar to those of the characters themselves. I highly recommend this book to any and all people who may be looking for a subtle, yet empowering, read.
Rating: 
Summary: It's no Alchemist...
Review: If you are new to Paulo Coelho, buy the Alchemist. This book has it's own charm, but does not have the greatness of the Alchemist. The love story and religious plot line are interesting, although more often than not, it is confusing.
Rating: 
Summary: A Spiritual Love Story
Review: This is a book written for all romantics at heart. Paulo Coelho has written another superb novel based on the power of love, faith and hope. This book is inspirational, and pushes us to believe and learn to recognise the little miracles that appear to us each day. Dreams do take hard work, patience and a lot of tears, but the author teaches us never to loose hope. Paulo manages to move and inspire through this story. Excellent! It made me trust in love again!
Rating:
Summary: Well written, a bit heavy on religion
Review: I begin by noting that I love Coelho and find his prose to be almost poetic. I found this book - as always - beautifully written but a bit heavy on religion. Let me explain before you boo me off the stage, Coelho lovers! Usually, I find his thoughts on God and religion to be beautifully written but also subtly drafted. For example, in his masterpiece "The Alchemist", God and fate and religion were infused throughout the story, but subtly so. Here, the religion is very in your face. I found it bearable but a bit much, a bit unnecessary. Coelho is such a gifted writer that he doesn't NEED to be so blunt with religion and god. That said, this novel - as his others - is well constructed, a quick read and one in which we quickly become involved in the main characters lives. I found myself rooting heartily for the two main actors. The ending was something of a surprise, but as always left me on the edge of my seat with my mouth open and my mind racing. The book does what any good book should - leave you with the belief that you have read an excellent story, as well as give you many things to think about and relate to your own life. "By the River ..." is well worth a read, and Coelho continues to inspire with his almost non-stop beautiful prose. Each page contains at least one gem which I underline, think about, come back to, chew on, and then think about some more. A great read - if it was by anyone else I'd give it a 5; I give it a comparative 4 only in relation to his other books. While this one is great, his others are even greater.
Rating: 
Summary: B grade novella
Review: A book without substance and devoid of any literary insight into the nature of human love. An exercise in fluffery. May be of interest only to those lucky enough to believe in crystals....
Rating:
Summary: Romantic, Wet, Spiritual and I love it
Review: You would believe that when I tell you Paulo is actually a woman, never had I read anything that so closely depicts what a woman like Pilar is feeling. Paulo surpasses all other authors in bringing this romantic and heart-crunching story in a manner that moves readers across all genders and lead the way into the very heart of the spirit. It is a good book, I recommend to readers around 16 ?30 years of age (it might feel some what naïve for readers that are very much into their adulthood ?no offense).
Rating:
Summary: poetic and crammed with romantic anguish
Review: If you want an easy read, don't buy this. If you want a rich poetic discourse full of thought provoking dichotomys, tension and passion, then do. The book meanders more than flows and clarity can be elusive at times, but this is definitely a book to read and re-read, each time gaining more insight in to the workings of this great author. Many themes are covered from exile to spiritual freedom to commitment and love. A good book to read when you have the time it deserves.
Rating:
Summary: Blaaaaaaaaaargh!
Review: As a Brazilian woman, I totally fail to understand the appeal Paulo Coelho has throughtout the world. I am so sad that he is the best selling author that Brazil has exported. Keep in your mind: he is not the best author Brazil has! To evaluate Brazilian literature, please read Jorge Amado and then you'll be able to evaluate the riches of our literature!
Rating:
Summary: The Faces of Love
Review: "By the River Piedra" shows us how love redeems, how it sets free, how it complicates life to make it richer. In the story love in its varied guises visit the couple--philia, the love between life-long friends, romantic and erotic love, and love of God. Coelho says: "The heart decides, and what it decides is all that really matters." He elevates love to the highest position possible. Love is what really matters, just as St. Paul announced that love is the greatest, just as in myths and tales love always triumphs, even if death may come for it love survives for not even the grim reaper can arrest love's heart. Coelho observes: "To love is to lose control." How true! When love finds us it tears down the walls that have kept us within our safe little abode. We are ushered into a freedom, a soulful experience that cuts the cords that bind us to earth. We move into a surreal realm that all at once looks and feels more real than the world we've just left behind. Coelho's works speak to our spirit and our soul, to a part of us that some pejoratively call our naiveté. Those who have been disillusioned and enthralled by Reason and who no longer believe in anything except the things they can see and touch won't appreciate Coelho's stories of Personal Legends and the heart's call, of angels' tidings and the Soul of the World. Yet for most of us who still bask in our childlike inheritance of imagination and fantasy and intuition, Coelho is an elixir in a world that adulthood daily turns into a dreary desert.
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Summary: If you like the alchemist - you'll love this
Review: Paulo Coelho continues his philosophy of following your dreams, BUT this time he confronts the controversial issues of religion, mysticism & love. This time he uses two young people (male & female), childhood lovers. One has traveled the world & the other has chosen to stay in the small town they grew up in. Not till years later did they cross paths once again and together they explore the issues of duty, social norms and real love. Like all of Paulo Coelho's novels he transmits strong life messages into magical stories that fill you with light. I found more meaning in the story due to my personal knowlege of the Catholic religion. This was a definate advantage. I felt that this didn't dig as deep as the Alchemist did BUT, at the same time, he confronted the issues mentioned above with great success. As well as this, it's a very beautiful love story.
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