Advantages: None
Disadvantages: Absolute tripe of the lowest calibre

...The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, is billed as a modern classic, yet I find it difficult to discern why. It has the feel of a fable; from a time as hazy as the desert in which it is set, and carries the lessons on life one would expect from such a parable. The feelings of distant memory that it creates, however, fashion a gap between the book and the reader. It begins with Santiago, a shepherd boy, who gives up his customs to follow a dream he has, a vision of treasure found at the Egyptian pyramids. Along the way he meets a king, a crystal merchant, an Englishman, and an alchemist; all of whom, with their passing involvement, provide him with a piece of the spiritual jigsaw that is his life. Finally, when he arrives at the Egyptian pyramids, he learns a lesson in life that brings him happiness. The novel is short, and, while it gets... Read review

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Advantages: Very easy to read, good message.
Disadvantages: A bit far fetched in places

...Introduction Having been invited to take part in Spacemonkey's World Cup Challenge, I have been fortunate enough to be drawn the reigning champions, Brazil. The group I have been placed in is the fiction group. The challenge has very vague criteria and the rules are almost non existant. One thing suggested by Spacemonkey was that we could write about our subject, fiction in my case, with some relevance to the country I am representing. I, therefore, chose The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. In case you are wondering where the Brazilian connection comes in, Paulo Coelho is Brazilian. GROUP B FICTION Stepho222 USA Amazingwoo Iran Lauricha Germany Mattydalton Brazil Anybody who wants to know more about the workings of the competition should head over to Spacemonkey's review in the same category which will explain everything... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Paulo provides a simplistic and unique style of writing, which captures the readers attention so easily, its hard to put the book down!
Disadvantages: If only the book would go on forever!

...Hi peeps! Well i have been heavily engrossed with Paulo Coelho's books for the passed few months, I have written a review on The Valkyries for you people a short while ago and The Alchemist proved to be my second read, so here we go. What can I say, it was certainly a book well written and delivered in a truly simplistic way, for anyone to understand the messages the author is trying to send across. The way in which Paulo addresses certain issues, which each and everyone of us think about at a certain point in our lives, is truly amazing, it certainly makes me stop and think about certain areas in my life. This story basically evolves around a sheperd boy, in search of his dream (a journey across the desert to reach the Egyptian pyramids - to find his treasure), along his journey he stumbles across various people, by luck its... Read review

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Advantages: Written by the likes of Paulo Coelho, an inspirational read, messages are very clear to the reader, via a sense of unique writing style.
Disadvantages: In depth discussion relating to angels perhaps?

...Hi there! Well for the past two months i have been heavily engrossed with Paulo Coelho's wonderful books! Well i first encountered The Valkyries! I must say i did enjoy the book thoroughly! Although i am a firm believer in angels, this also enhanced my belief concerning the various messages which Paulo tries to seep through at times. He does it well, the reader has to stop and think, which is something you cant help but do, without wishful thinking where would any of us be?! The book concerns Paulo's journey in search for the Valkyries (angels - women which ride through the desert on their motorcycles), in order to unearth the secret concerning ACTUALLY seeing ones angel - physically). This is quite interesting, as Paulo knows angels exist, communication with his angel is no problem, however he has come across a hurdle... Read review

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Advantages: Poetic style, easy to read
Disadvantages: Hard to believe it is autobiographical

...I am a huge fan of Paulo Coelho his books his writing style seems to draw you into his world and his books contain messages of hope and wonder. His book, The Alchemist was voted into the BBC top 100. This book is a good book, but probably my least favourite of all the authors’ books. This story is semi-autobiographical and deals with part of the author’s spirtual quest. He travels into the desert with his wife on a quest to meet his guardian angel. The message is that on should follow your heart and if you do so the universe will help you to achieve your goals. The problems is that this works better in a story than in an semi-autobiographical tale. I am unable to suspend my disbelief. Paulo Coelho has incredible writing style, it is very poetic and relies on great metaphors. The book move along with great pace and it is not easy... Read review

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Advantages: Read the review
Disadvantages: Read the review

...Introduction "Veronika Decides To Die" is the third book I have read by Paulo Coelho. The first book I read by him was "The Devil and Miss Prym", lent to me by my girlfriend Emma, and I was instantly trapped in Paulo's fictitious world. The Plot Veronika is a young lady who has pretty much everything she could possibly want. She is good looking, has a comfortable lifestyle, has countless boyfriends and, most importantly, has the unconditional love and support of her family. She lives in a convent in Ljubljana, in Slovenia. So, why is it exactly that Veronika decides to die? The main reason behind her sudden crazed suicidal obsession is she places no importance in her life or anything that she does. She has no passion for life. She feels no love, no hate, no happiness and no sadness. She is in no way depressed, and has... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Fascinating tale of life and death
Disadvantages: Short novel, areas could have been expanded upon

...*Author* Paulo Coelho was born in Brazil and has become on of the most widely read authors in the world today. He is renowned for his novel "The Alchemist", and is the recipient of numerous international awards. Paulo Coelho was confined to a mental hospital in Rio de Janeiro three times during his teenage years. He had a very shy, reserved personality and merely want to explore his artistic nature. However as his behaviour was so different to that of his friends and peers it was deemed reason enough to send him to a mental hospital. When he left, for the last time in 1967, Paulo promised himself that one day he would write about his experiences, however he also promised himself not to do this during his parent's lifetime out of respect for the pain and suffering this would cause them. Instead Paulo found a way to release his... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Inspirational, encouraging, delightful
Disadvantages: Don't expect a novel as such

...is rumoured to be able to turn base metal into gold and to produce the elixir of life, both using the legendary Philosophers Stone (very familiar to those of us who read Harry Potter!) and the Englishman hopes to learn how to do this himself. Santiago, meanwhile, doesn’t know what his destiny is and only has vague notions of treasure. As he follows his dreams, Santiago encounters many setbacks and a lot of wisdom. He is tempted to give up, but perseveres. The book is extremely quotable and even the wisdom that seems almost clichéd is undeniably true; it could be viewed as a self-help book, such is the sheer amount and quality of advice. As enjoyable as the story is, it is this wisdom that propels The Alchemist from a pleasurable read to an indispensable piece of literature. Paulo Coelho’s writing style is blissfully succinct but descriptive... Read review

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Advantages: Means well
Disadvantages: but to no avail

...maybe the film rights for this book) is turned into gold. Divided into four parts, one for Santiago, one for monk, one for Alchemist and one is left with monk ‘just in case’. Alchemist back to desert, Santiago onwards to Egypt. Finds pyramids and starts digging. No treasure but band of bandits who, for a change, take all his gold away. Bandit leader has also had a dream, namely treasure being buried under mulberry tree in Andalusia, but does not believe in omens. Santiago back to Andalusia (via monk for the ‘just in case’ gold) and finds treasure. Is not robbed. Wind carries kiss from Fatima, whence he will return. The end. The book: Title: The Alchemist Author: Paulo Coelho Edition: Paperback, 177 pages - HaperCollins Publishers - £ 7.99 The Author: Paulo Coelho was born in 1947 in Rio de Janerio. According to biography... Read review

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Advantages: Brilliant, emotional, eye-opening read....raw and true
Disadvantages: Bit slow at times...and not for the easily offended

...Strangely enough, this was one of the books of Paulo Coelho that I have enjoyed reading the most. He manages to touch every aspect of emotion and soul of the young girl and her transformation into womanhood, albeit by not the most gentlest route. Perhaps exactly for this reason, this book manages to grab you inside and provoke so much anger, bitterness and realisation which transforms itself into hopes and dreams together with the dreams of Maria, the Brazilian girl, finding herself in Switzerland. Maria finds herself thrown by fate and circumstance into a life of prostitusion in a strange, far-off country, where she has no knowledge of the laws or the language, cannot comprehend the people and their customs..where this to her is a hindrance and obstacle to escape said life, but she uses this as a vehicle to improve her general... Read review

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