Rating: 
Summary: Christianity - Christ + Howling at the Moon = This Book
Review:
In this story, which is purported to be "true", the author and his wife journey to the California dessert so that he can see his guardian angel. Toward this end they journey from town to town with a horde of biker chicks, perform various meditations and pagan rituals, and generally work through their own issues.
The story itself is interesting, but as a Christian I found the religious content disturbing. The author seems wrapped up in an occult-like and mystical form of Christianity that ironically seems to have left Christ out of the equation. Whereas Jesus advocated the banishment of the ego to bring our spirits into agreement with God's will, the type of Christianity we see here is all about self - pagan rituals, creating a feeling, and traveling to another continent to "see" an angel. I'm pretty liberal in my Christian theology, but at it's core Christ's message was one of loving God and loving each other. The Bible tells us that the signs of a Christ-based life are "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control". But despite the fact that these characters are supposedly highly "spiritual", their lives, at least as they appear in this story, are instead characterized by anxiety, detachment, and underlying hostility amongst themselves.
Furthermore, the author at one point deigns to cast aspersions about the spiritual slumber that the average person is in. I'm the first to admit that modern-day Christianity needs a good kick in the arse, - but (to use one of the lead characters, Valhalla as an example) I don't think leaving our spouses and children, becoming prostitutes, joining a biker gang, and performing odd pagan rituals is an improvement over the status quo.
At the end of the book, the author tacks on a 2 or 3 page dissertation about Jesus and Love that seems strangely incongruent with the story that was just told.
If you haven't read The Alchemist, read that instead of this book. If you have already read The Alchemist read it again instead of this book.
Rating:
Summary: Christianity - Christ + Howling at the Moon = This Book
Review:
In this story, which is purported to be "true", the author and his wife journey to the California dessert so that he can see his guardian angel. Toward this end they journey from town to town with a horde of biker chicks, perform various meditations and pagan rituals, and generally work through their own issues.
The story itself is interesting, but as a Christian I found the religious content disturbing. The author seems wrapped up in an occult-like and mystical form of Christianity that ironically seems to have left Christ out of the equation. Whereas Jesus advocated the banishment of the ego to bring our spirits into agreement with God's will, the type of Christianity we see here is all about self - pagan rituals, creating a feeling, and traveling to another continent to "see" an angel. I'm pretty liberal in my Christian theology, but at it's core Christ's message was one of loving God and loving each other. The Bible tells us that the signs of a Christ-based life are "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control". But despite the fact that these characters are supposedly highly "spiritual", their lives, at least as they appear in this story, are instead characterized by anxiety, detachment, and underlying hostility amongst themselves.
Furthermore, the author at one point deigns to cast aspersions about the spiritual slumber that the average person is in. I'm the first to admit that modern-day Christianity needs a good kick in the arse, - but (to use one of the lead characters, Valhalla as an example) I don't think leaving our spouses and children, becoming prostitutes, joining a biker gang, and performing odd pagan rituals is an improvement over the status quo.
At the end of the book, the author tacks on a 2 or 3 page dissertation about Jesus and Love that seems strangely incongruent with the story that was just told.
If you haven't read The Alchemist, read that instead of this book. If you have already read The Alchemist read it again instead of this book.
Rating: 
Summary: magical and poetic
Review: A magical adventure based in the present, this story of acceptance of true love and of following your goals to ultimate happiness is an intricate and powerful read. The poetic and passionate style is intense reading but worth it. There's almost a crescendo of activity in the middle of the book that leaves you compelled to read on. I think viewing the text "holistically" helps, and thinking about the metaphors will let you extract more from the book. It's not my favourite Coelho book but still, I have to admit it is beautifully written and full of hysterical passion. I would recommend it to a friend.
Rating:
Summary: Read THE ALCHEMIST instead
Review: After being so well-fed by Coehlo's THE ALCHEMIST, I hungrily read THE VALKYRIES. I'm not only still hungry, I'm confused. Is this book just bad, or am I somehow not "getting it?"
Rating: 
Summary: Too Cliche
Review: After enjoying The Alchemist, I was extremely disappointed to read such a poor book. While the story is interesting, it is recounted with such cliche, that the story becomes 'cheesy'. I would not recommend this book to someone unless they have an absolute fascination in Paulo's life.
Rating:
Summary: Not his best
Review: Although I consider The Alchemist as one of the best books I have ever read, Coelho's effort with The Valkyries disappoints me somewhat. The story of him and his wife Chris crossing the Californian desert in search of their individual angels is told in a truthful, heartfelt way. The story is beautifully told as only Paulo can.I appreciate the honesty and openness Paulo demonstrates by sharing his true story with us. I don't belong The Tradition, and don't profess to know its secrets. Fundamentally I disagree with Paulo in this book. The main point I do disagree with is that he states that only angels can show us the way to paradise, no one else can. I think if Paulo read the New Testament a bit more carefully, he would realise that this is not necessarily so. Angels are indeed real, they are messengers, they minister us, we do get angels of Death and Wrath, they fight for what is right, etc. Yet Paulo also mentions that in the kingdom of angels there is no good and evil. But, since they are fighting for us, how can this be true? Since angels fight in the spiritual world, there must be a good and evil side. There are a lot of basic truths that I agree with Paulo, and I think that those make the book worthwhile. Unfortunately it does not compare to the quality of The Alchemist. I found this a tedious read, even though I'm very fond of his writing.
Rating: 
Summary: Among them
Review: Among Paulo Coelho's great books, this became the worst one.
When I say "worst", I mean the book is good. Just don't stay on the same line as the others. If you enjoy the author, read it. If you are just trying to know his style/form, forget it. It's not for you.
Rating: 
Summary: If you believe...you believe!
Review: Do you believe in angels?? Well I do and this book just made me trust them more! I don't think Coelho's aim is to write a book with flawless language. Personally I think the main goal was to make people understand that if you believe in something it exists. If you believe in angels, they exist, if you believe in UFO's they exist, if you believe that you are the best thing that has ever lived, you are......only for yourself. It's all a matter of perspective...so keep your eyes wide open!
Rating:
Summary: COELHO EVER WAS GREAT,AN THIS BOOK IS NOT DIFFERENT.
Review: ESPERO QUE SEPAN CASTELLANO (MY ENGLISH IS VERY POOR)NO PUEDO ENTENDER MUCHO DE LOS COMENTARIOS DEL LIBRO PERO ME GUSTARIA SABER SI ESTA DISPONIBLE EN CASTELLANO.
Rating:
Summary: If you take it for what it's worth, a decent, short read.
Review: Granted, Coelho's novel is filled with religious reference however, the fact remains that he writes in simple, easy to follow prose and provides his readers with entertaining fiction. Don't take it seriously(unless you are one of those religious fanatics) or from a religious standpoint; enjoy this book for what it's worth.
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