Editorial Review

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Reviews (895)

This is no Little Prince
I feel like I am pushing against the tide, but perhaps I can warn others, like me, who agreed to read this book because of comparisons to St. Exupery's classic, The Little Prince.It is too late to warn off my book club.Others expecting anything remotely as charming, disarming, witty, and downright delightful as Le Petit Prince should look elsewhere.I have read St. Exupery, Mr. Coelho, and you are no St. Exupery.
Very Confusing Text!!!
I'm in an eighth grade honors class, and had to read this book for an assignment.Unfortunately, I found the book vey boring and extremely hard to understand.The text was very confusing, with all the different lessons, all being learned at the same time.I do not recommend this book to anyone under 16.

Beware of Foreign Editions
WARNING: The Alchemist is one of my favorite books. In fact, it was my inspiration when I set off on the journey to make my own dream come true--to realize my own "Personal Legend". The original was written in Portugese so what we see is a translation.
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Subjects:  1. Fables    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Literary    5. Visionary & Metaphysical    6. Fantasy    7. Fiction / Literary    8. Science fiction    9. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (55)

Wonderful tale with special meaning
This is a very charming tale and has deep meaning behind it. A great book to read more than once because of how powerful it is. A classic.
A most consuming story of a shepherd boy on search
Not often do you discover a goldmine in the simple story of a Shepherd boy. Santiago is seeking his Personal Legend to find his destiny in the Language of the World and in his heart of love. Traveling from Andalusia and beloved, Fatima, meeting the King of Salem, the Englishman, finally the mystic, Alchemist, he learns to turn himself into the wind, overcoming his fears of an African desert and those distant Pyramids of Egypt he discovers his Treasure! In discovering his treasure he loses his fears, learns things along the way he would have never discovered without following his dreams!
Sales/Motivational Book sold as Mainstream Fiction
Not that there's anything wrong with that.It was a cute book and a good fable about following your dreams and creating your own reality with the power of your mind and the strength of your spirit.I enjoyed it.
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Subjects:  1. Brazilian Novel And Short Story    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Literary    5. Portuguese (Language) Contemporary Fiction    6. Fiction / Literary   

Reviews (4)

A Manual for Fighting the Good Fight
Again, Coelho succeeds in providing inspiration and spiritual direction in life.This book acts a guide to becoming a superior human being on a journey toward genuine success and greatness.Paulo is has absolutely tapped into the truth of the universe.Thanks again for a great book that I can apply to my Daily Walk.Highly recommended.

**Inspirational**
Each passage teaches us to embrace our dreams, to choose our desires and decisions with courage. To accept failure and proceed with our own destiny even when the journey of life sometimes feels uncertain. Concise Wisdom
It made me stop and evaluate my life. It is not a long book, nor a novel. While it should be a fast read from the size of it, but it value comes from the amount of time you spend thinking about its content. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conduct of life    2. Inspiration & Personal Growth    3. New Age    4. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    5. Parapsychology    6. Fiction / General   

Reviews (54)

A very shallow puddle
About 8 months ago, during a very bad "flu-experience", I had a great afternoon reading all the negative reviews on 'The Alchemist' and this little gem. And although I was warned, I just HAD to find out for myself (some stubborn people just never learn, do they): could this book really be as awful as these reviewers said it is? And the answer is YES.
A quest that is as ancient as it is modern.
Coelho is a master of the words and he doesn't fail to show that even in this book. His storytelling is flowing and never overwhelming or boring.
Brilliant
Coelho's writing can only be described as Genuis.Hes a natural and will certainly touch your heart, mind, and soul.He inspired and motivated me with every word that he has written throughout the years.Word in a review cannot begin to describe the writing of this brilliant man.All of his books are highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Coelho, Paulo    3. Historical - General    4. Literary    5. Pilgrims and pilgrimages    6. Religion    7. Religious - General    8. Santiago de Compostela    9. Spain    10. Spirituality - General    11. Christian life & practice    12. Fiction / Religious    13. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness   

Reviews (55)

Love, Sex, Loneliness and Fate
Ihave to say I am very glad I picked this book. Paulo Coelho tells the story a Brazilian girl named Maria, who gets her heart broken at a tender age, then she decides she wants to get out of Brazil. In her pursuit of being famous, rich, important and be able to come back home again and help her parents (financially), she ends up in Geneva, Switzerland. Once she is there...her life becomes a sea of pain and loneliness. She's sure she will never find love.
Wow
I had not heard of the author before a friend recommended this book. Books that move me to tears are few and far between, but this book did.Mr. Coelho has a spartan writing style that adds elegance to this work. He has a poignant way of addressing so many issues we must confront in life and love.His story has crystalized so many thoughts in my mind that I would not know where to begin describing them in print. In short, his book encompasses so much from love, to life to Rousseau to the juxtaposition of sex and love and the contrast between Switzerland and Brazil.Maria serves as an amazing character in leading us along the train tracks of this tale.His quote from Ecclisiastes near the end brings it all home.

A book you must not missed
Whether you like the Paulo Coeho's novel or not, "Eleven minutes" is a book you should not miss. There are many books discussing what love should be. However, after reading this book, you will find them are very primitive and nothing speical. The book nakely and deeply discuss what love and sex is and should be. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brazilian Novel And Short Story    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. Literary    6. Fiction / General   

Reviews (47)

It's an Obsession
This is a very interesting read if you like the Post-Modern, quasi-deconstructive feel. He is now a very famous writer and no longer is merely telling tales. Now he telling tales about telling tales and about him telling talkes. He is know revealing his process and his thoughts. Most of the novel is filled with brilliant asides, interesting conversations (although his women are really men that somehow give vaginal sex), and concepts that mean something. What is always great about Coelho is that he is really saying something meaningful. Maybe that's why there are stacks upons stacks of his books in every bookstore. If you're looking for classic Coelho, this book may not be your first choice, but it's still a great book.

When the time is right
When the stars align in such a way and time is right only then can the right person appreciate the right book. If you do not enjoy this book then perhaps it wasn't your time to read it or simply you didn't understand the true value of it.
It spoke to me...
I will agree with other reviewers that this book is not an easy read. However, it also spoke to me on a level I had not expected, and provided a sort of therapy for which I was desperately in need. As luck would have it, I picked up the novel in the airport book store. My ex-husband had unexpectedly passed away a few weeks prior, and my daughter and I were on our way to visit his family in France. During the vacation, I found myself reading the book, and also retracing the steps of our life together, the years living abroad, the ways we changed each other and the bitterness of losing that love. This book has an emotional truth to it that helped me through a difficult time, and made me think about the difference between love and obsession. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Literary    5. Portuguese (Language) Contemporary Fiction    6. Psychological    7. Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (49)

A REVISIONIST BIBLE STORY
In the introduction to THE FIFTH MOUNTAIN, Paulo Coelho quotes himself by saying:"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it."This is something he believes with all of his heart.This is a profoundly religious attitude, and shows an absolute trust in God.Such a trusting attitude is especially impressive when one considers that Coelho's father dismissed his son's Personal Legend as insanity and had him institutionalized and subjected to shock therapy.Although as this revisionist story of the prophet Elijah demonstrates, it is not what "you" want, but what God wants you to want.
Another Fabulous Read from Coelho
I LOVED the Fifth Mountain as much as The Alchemist and The Pilgrimage.This story of prophet Elijah was particularly inspiring and has left quite an impression on me in the months after reading it.While I wonder "why" and "what if" questions in my mind, I am continually reminded of Elijah's struggles and his own quest to understand his larger purpose as Coehlo so artfully portrays it.Coehlo's signature simplicity made this a wonderful, easy read too.Very enjoyable & very highly recommended.

Wonderful read
Coelho's writing can only be described as Genuis.Hes a natural and will certainly touch your heart, mind, and soul.He inspired and motivated me with every word that he has written throughout the years.Word in a review cannot begin to describe the writing of this brilliant man.All of his books are highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Biblical prophet)    2. Elijah    3. Elijah (Biblical prophet)    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - Religious    6. General    7. Literary    8. Religious - Biblical    9. Spanish: Adult Fiction    10. Fiction / Literary    11. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (10)

Wait for the paperback or get it at the library.
"The Devil and Miss Prym" is certainly no "The Alchemist." I learned a long time ago that the gem of a story that I stumbled across in "The Alchemist" could never be matched by the same author; however, there still are some stories worth telling and worth reading by Paulo Coelho. "The Devil and Miss Prym" also lacks the simple spirtual mystisism and focuses more on specific religious traits.
A story old as time itself
Once again, Coelho deftly uses his gifts as a storyteller to delve into the meat of the human condition.This "novel of temptation" is in the same vein as Coelho's The Alchemist, wherein he uses a simple narrative technique to approach some very difficult questions.
higher expectations..
I have always considered Paulo Coelho to be one of the greater narrators of the human soul. When I picked up my copy of "The Devil and Miss Prym" I was expecting nothing less than perfection, but I must say I was slightly disappointed by the novel. The unfolding of events toward the last 20 pages of the book took on an almost overbearingly farical nature. Portrayal of the villagers, their reaction to the predicament they have found themselves in, as well as their treatment of the "chosen one" seems almost comical, not in a good sense of the word.
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Subjects:  1. Brazilian Novel And Short Story    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. Literary    6. Psychological    7. Fiction / General   

Reviews (38)

Is this a novel or a true accounting?
I can accept this book as either a novel and a fictional fable - or as a non-fiction and true life experience - but not both. The back cover leads me to believe that it is a fable (Quote from The Detroit Free Press)It is said to be a "novel" by Booklist - yet, inside my hardback cover jacket, is a message from the author telling me it is a true life story and a real experience. Inside the book reads like a novel. I am not sure what I am lead to believe; fact or fiction? It cannnot be both. If it is a novel then I give it five stars for being creative and bold - if it is non-fiction I give it three stars for an enlightening but very strange life story - but as for being listed in both genres - I have to rate it no higer than three stars because I have no clue what I read.
Phenomenal
Coelho's writing can only be described as Genuis.Hes a natural and will certainly touch your heart, mind, and soul.He inspired and motivated me with every word that he has written throughout the years.Word in a review cannot begin to describe the writing of this brilliant man.All of his books are highly recommended.

Off the Mark
The problem begins with the categorization of this book.The back cover says that the book is fiction, yet the author repeatedly states that this is a true story in the prologue, epilogue, and everywhere in between.After this, the problems of the international bestselling author become even more dramatic.
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Subjects:  1. Angels    2. Coelho, Paulo    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Religious    5. Literary    6. Miscellanea    7. Occultism    8. Religious - General    9. Fiction / Religious   

Editorial Review

When Paulo Coelho (Read more

Reviews (115)

Disappointing
I read "Veronica Decides to Die", after reading "The Alchemist," "Eleven Minutes," and "The Zahir." The previous two I enjoyed tremendously, even through "The Alchemist" didn't strike me as original and groundbreaking as the people that recommended it to me had described it. Had I not had such high expectations, perhaps, reading it would have been more rewarding of an experience.
Give me my life back.
I read The Alchemist a few months ago and posted a glowing review of it on Amazon. I don't know what I was thinking. I must have been temporarily insane or something because looking back on it, I can't believe I fell for such a hollow load of rubbish. There were no real revelations to it at all. It's just a childish story with delusions of grandeur.
Gives justice to the cliche: "Life changing book".
A friend recommended this long long ago but just because I thought the title and the cover were too depressing, I decided to hold reading it. Time passed and I was able to read The Alchemist and By The River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept. I didn't like both, so I had more reason not to read Veronika. Another lesson learned for me, don't judge a book by its author (does this make sense?)
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Literary    5. Fiction / Literary   

Editorial Review

This first United States paperback of Read more

Reviews (108)

Fascinating, but very strained
This is bold novel with great intent, and at times sheds insight on life and the spiritual journey. But the story is strained and seems fragmented, as if one could see where the writer (or editor) struggled to make transitions. The love story within the plot is also a bit hard to swallow. I sure like this authors values, thought at times he seems to struggle to embrace so much that it comes across as contrived. I prefer another book that deals with similar matter, Walking the Trail, by Jerry Ellis.

Love and fate, a romantic duet!
What happens to those kids who grow up as friends only to be appart when they love. How does one bury his/her feelings only to realise they will resurrect?
Brilliant
Coelho's writing can only be described as Genuis.Hes a natural and will certainly touch your heart, mind, and soul.He inspired and motivated me with every word that he has written throughout the years.Word in a review cannot begin to describe the writing of this brilliant man.All of his books are highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brazilian Novel And Short Story    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Literary    5. Romance - General    6. Romance: Modern    7. Fiction / General   

Reviews (31)

Impresionante
Veronika, una muchacha que su �nica preocupaci�n en la vida esque todo est� perfecto y la monoton�a de que no sucede nada adicional que derribe esa paz y felicidad que muchos tratan a lo largo de sus vidas y a veces no lo logran. Por tanto decide suicidarse y es ah� donde su vida empieza a recobrar el sentido que pensaba no tenia.
Y ahora que?
La monoton�a a�n sigue.
life is more then rutine...
Veronica decide morir es un libro que nos hace pensar acerca de nuestra vida rutinaria como a veces por el aburrimiento deseamos dar un cambio,nos ense�a a valorar nuestro tiempo y cumplir nuestros deseos aun cuando los demas no esten de acuerdo. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Literary    5. Untranslated Fiction - Spanish    6. Fiction / Literary   

Reviews (10)

me encanto
como siempre paulo coelho encantador me encanta!!! me fasina y me hace creer cada ves mas en el amorrrrr

el zahir
un exito mas del gran escritor paulo coelho, es un libro que te motiva llegar al final,te entusiasma y no quieres parar de leer,
El mejor hasta hoy
Por lo general, Coelho no me mata, he le�do solamente 6 libros suyos pero es suficiente para formarme una idea. Resulta que el misticismo del que escribe y los 'guerreros de la luz' y todas los paralelismos con la metaf�sica y sus derivados me parecen aburridos. La ficci�n para m� es interesante mientras no cruce el l�mite de lo extrasensorial (incluyendo extraterrestres, luces, magia, etc.) -aunque el Alquimista me pareci� en su momento una maravilla. Y otros de sus libros, como Once Minutos no abordan esas tem�ticas.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Literary    5. Psychological    6. Spanish: Adult Fiction    7. Fiction / General   

Reviews (57)

UN LIBRO MAS QUE EXCELENTE!
El Alquimista es un libro que nos enseña a que todo en la vida pasa por algo, tenemos que saber luchar y no dejarnos caer facilmente.. tenemos que seguir nuestro sueños por mas tonto que sea...no nos podemos conformar con lo que nada mas esta bien.. tenemos que buscar mas aya de lo normal!
Unos de los mejores libros que e leido

Copia de otra historia, falta de imaginaciòn.
Sencillamente me decepcion�, esta historia es una copia burda del
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Subjects:  1. Fiction - General    2. Reading materials    3. Spanish language    4. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction    5. Untranslated Fiction - Spanish    6. Fiction / General    7. Modern fiction   

Features

• Audiobook
• Unabridged

Reviews (17)

I forgot I was driving a 5-hour trip!
This purchase was an impulse buy from a bookstore before I drove 5-1/2 hours to Houston. The CD came highly recommended by the clerk selling me some books. I thought, why not, I love Jeremy Irons' voice. This CD was indeed the best audio book I've ever heard and I've listened to almost 30. I had just recently finished "His Excellency" about George Washington, which is very long (13 cd's) and extremely good. Although I'd never heard of Paulo Coelho, who is internationally famous, I know and love Jeremy Irons as an actor, and he should win an award for performing the characters in this book. I finished it the following day driving to Austin and thoroughly enjoyed the deeper meaning behind the story. Since Santiago's adventures reminded me of my son and how he met his wife, I gave this audio book to him for his birthday. He is very well-read and this book, he tells me, is his new favorite.

The Alchemist
I bought this as a present for my daughter, who loved the book.

Mystical
I hightly recommend anyone to listen to this CD. It tells a story about Divination, reading omens and following your personal legend.
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Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    2. Audiobooks    3. Fiction    4. Literary    5. Unabridged Audio - Fiction/General    6. Visionary & Metaphysical    7. Fiction / Literary   

Reviews (15)

Live the warrior archetype to understand it
I read this soon after I was touched by The Alchemist.
a life afirmation
My girlfriend was kind enough to introduce Coelho to me by giving me this particular book. It is a book of one page "lessons" and details a warrior of light code. There were passages in the book that resonate with me still because they affirm how I was living my life. Also, some answers to some of my deeper questions on life were given, and some subjects I have not had time to think about were introduced. I love this book, and would recommend it to anyone who needs a new perspective on going through this thing called life and doing so in an aware, awake manner.

Warrior of the Light A Manuual - Paulo Coelho
My belief is this book is written for you to carry along with
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Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Conduct of life    3. Inspiration & Personal Growth    4. New Age    5. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    6. Fiction / General   

Reviews (50)

It Inspires and Entertains
If stories were paint and words a paintbrush, this is one peice of art I would visit in a galary everyday -just to look at it. Nothing else, just look at it. The picture the author has painted with this story is inpiring and goes very well with another book that is, sadly, out of print: A Champion Lies Within.
the Pictures enhance the Story
This is an amazing book. It is a story of a young man who has a dream of hidden treasure. It is a book that alludes to that fact that all of us have a purpose and a dream. Yet many settle and give up their dream, and lose their passion for life. In this book it is stated again and again that each of us has our own Personal Legend, a quest; "When you pursue your personal legend the universe will conspire with you to make it happen." You will follow Santiago on his adventure and during the process be challenged to think about your goals and dreams and what you would have to do to pursue them.

Dreams
Mr. Coelho did an excellent job. It's a wonderful book. I wish I could give it 10 stars. The metaphors are very unique, simple and applicable to our daily life. I would recommend it to everybody who can read. It doesn't matter you are a child or old. There is something in it for everybody. I don't know who did the translation but I hope it's as close to original meaning as possible. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Literary    5. Portuguese (Language) Contemporary Fiction    6. Fiction / Literary    7. Modern fiction   

Subjects:  1. Fiction - General    2. General   

Reviews (1)

Impactante!!
Existen algunos libros interesantes, otros que van m�s all�, son buenos, pero hay algunos como este que son impactantes, son de esos que dejan huella en el coraz�n de los hombres.El Peregrino de Compostela es unlibro que debe ser le�do por todos aquellos que viven del reto, poraquellos que a veces puden sentir que la lucha es inutil y demasiadodolorosa, es excelente para j�venes de 18 a 99 a�os que quieren revitalizarsu alma.Felicitaciones al autor. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Fiction    3. General    4. Historical    5. Historical - General    6. Spanish: Adult Fiction    7. Modern fiction   

Reviews (14)

Excelente Libro
Soy admiradora de la obra de Paulo Coelho, he leido varios de sus libros y este ha sido uno de los que mas me ha gustado. Es un libro que trata un tema fuerte y nos abre una ventana donde podemos mirar, quizas desde otro angulo, la realidad de las mujeres que practican "la profecion mas antigua del mundo"
Coelho - Once Minutos
Yo no conozco mucho de Paulo Coelho.
Very good!
I got this great novel in great shipping time...Go for it... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Erotica - General    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Adult    4. Reading materials    5. Spanish language    6. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction    7. Fiction / General