By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

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Summary: Wonderful, gives hope those seeking love
Review: A wonderful story, capturing the hopes and desires of would-be lovers. Reminds us to take chances in life, whether it be to uproot and change locations, or to trust the heart, and follow a dream. The characters remind us of ourselves. I was bought this book by a lover, now I by it for friends and family

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Summary: this is not literature
Review: I agree with the reader from Lisbon. This is pure new age schtick written for profit. Pick up a real book instead.

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Summary: Show me the way :)
Review: By the River Piedra will always be treasured in my heart. One man, who I love so dearly, and was afraid of showing him how much I care, he introduced me to coelho's writting. I've read by the river piedra over 3 times already, and every time I read, I knoledge the book in different ways. By the river piedra showed me the way to love without fears, I'll always LOVE you David Hinkle, you have a forever place in my heart.

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Summary: Thouching, Moving,Spiritual
Review: I thought this book was a work of art. I'm a Catholic girl wondering about my religion and this book made me feel so much more in tune with myself. I reccommend it to many. Paulo Cohelo is a very prolific writer with a lot of heart and knowledge.

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Summary: Jealousy and bitterness
Review: If you go to any book of Paulo Coelho in Amazon.com, you will see this "reader from Lisbon" making nasty comments. This is pure jealousy, from someone who is frustrated. If I read an author, and I don't like him, I don't read ALL his books. Don't pay attention to this anonymous reader. This book is excellent, Coelho is the best Brazilian writer ever.

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Summary: This is not literature. But, then, who cares?
Review: A shallow book for shallow people. If you have read only one book in your life, maybe you will like this new piece of trash from Paulo Coelho. If, otherwise, you love literature, forget it. The plot is an insult to your inteligence. Characters are a bad imitation of soap opera heroes. And the "espiritual" content could be more wisely explained inside a chinese fortune-cookie. Dont read it.

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Summary: A wonderful read lifting one's heart and facing one's fears.
Review: A journey that enlightens and uplifts. Encourages one to disregard fear of loss and love for the sake of loving. The subtle 100th monkey theory challenges the reader to take part in a spritual awakening that is taking place as we reach the millenium. Stay true to oneself and share in the gift of life and the greatest choice we can make--to love.

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Summary: A sister book to Bridges of Madison County?
Review: If you loved The Bridges of Madison County, By the River Piedra is for you. It is a smarmy, self-congratulatory love story couched in new age mysticism meant to make the tale sound serious. By the River stupifies the reader with the same thoughts, the same phrases, slightly reworded and then repeated endlessly. The characters are stick figures. The "childhood friend" character, now a man belonging to a religious order, mouths the spiritual platitudes of the author. Pilar, the female protagonist, was surely written to draw in the romance novel crowd. If you want to read some excellent Central or South American writing, pick up Gabriel Garcia Marquez or Isabel Allende. Coelho is best left on the shelf

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Summary: Boring and trite
Review: I found the style of writing in this book to be so trite that it was an effort to turn each page. The leading female character, Pilar, is an insecure, inexperienced, sheltered woman who seems to have no confidence in her own instincts. The recipient of her emotional interest is uncommunicative and simply drags her along on his journey through the Pyrenees. It's hard to recommend that anyone spend their time or money on this one

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Summary: Pure, simple writing causes shivering impact and insight
Review: This is the first book I've read that I immediately went back to the beginning and read again. I strongly advise this for everyone. The message is pure, writing is simple, almost childlike, but the impact on me was breathtaking. It will take on different meaning and significance each time I read it, and I expect it to be part of the map of my life