Paulo Coelho - Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream

Pros: Quick and light reading. 
Cons: Not as life changing as I had hoped.

The Alchemist was recommended to me by a friend who knew how much I loved the book “The Kite ...

Pros: You can read it pretty fast.
Cons: Everything else.

‘The Alchemist’ is supposed to be one of those books that has changed the life of millions of its readers, the world over. Well, count me out; I am not one of those. Written by Paulo Coehlo, it has got lavish reviews. I have read ...

Pros: Easy to 'read': slim volume, big letters, simple story, plain language.
Cons: 'Easy' to read: not just non-intellectually stimulating but an absolute waste of your time.

Believe it or not, the author of this book starts his narrative by recounting how he lost and then FOUND his way seeking truth in alchemy. All straight-faced. Anyone who was taught elementary chemistry is left dumbfounded. But the first pages of ...

Pros: Few
Cons: Characterization, Plot, Handling of Theme

The concept of destiny is one that the majority have wrestled with at some stage, but only a minority believe in – the rest of us dismiss our future as nothing more than a batch of random happenings and coincidence. Personally, I believe too much in ...

Pros: Thought-provoking, some nice concepts, easy reading.
Cons: A fairly pedestrian story, weak characters.

"Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever." That's a pretty impressive claim, and one that is echoed by the rest of the (even more than usual) gushing praise on the back cover of The Alchemist. ...

Pros: Universal story of the search for life's purpose; wonderful language
Cons: Coehlo is part writer, part philosopher; he's not for everyone.

As a boy in Spain, Santiago questions and wants answers about himself and about the world around him. Sensing his son’s restlessness, Santiago’s father offers his son the share of what would have been his inheritance so Santiago may buy a flock of sheep ...

Pros: Easy to understand with a positive message.
Cons: Not much emotional connection with the main character.

When I heard Oprah mention "The Alchemist" on her show, I was curious enough to seek it out. What I found was an inspiring reminder that life is not as complicated as we sometimes like to make it.

In simple, straightforward prose,...

Pros: A pretty cover and very earnest writing
Cons: Simplistic thinking and shallow feel-good mysticism

The Adolescent Quest

My sister-in-law brought this book over to my house for the winter holidays, encouraging me to take a look at it myself. "It's an easy read," she said. Eek. Is that a good thing? Well, my sis-in-law...

Pros: well-written; crucial message; palatable even to atheists, if not taken literally; widespread appeal
Cons: quite religious; somewhat predictable (even though that's ok)

Paulo Coelho once traveled the beaten path to the city of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, in the north-western corner of Spain. In medieval times, this pilgrimage was the third most sacred in all of Christendom, ranked only behind the ones to...

Pros: written well, easy to read and understand, quite uplifting
Cons: nothing I can think of

The Alchemist is about a shepherd boy who learns about his Personal Legend. What better book to read on how to set goals for yourself and to achieve them... The shepherd boy has a dream and decides to pursue its meaning. He is given an ...

Pros: Short read...
Cons: Too short of a read...

This book is about the mystical journey of a shepherd boy. His goal is to reach the Egyptian Pyramids where he believes he will receive his treasure.

He is assisted by many on his journey. Some living, some not.

The story is...

Pros: Easy to read, a charming main character.
Cons: Some people might not like the simplicity.

I bought this book because it was on "Top 10 Bestsellers" shelf at B&N and I wanted to read something that would help me understand modern literature readers/writers. (I'm not certain if by reading this book, I accomplished my goal.) The quote on ...

Pros: Simplicity
Cons: Simplistic

I remember reading that the best scientists are motivated by the instinct for beauty. Beauty as expressed through the simplest solutions.

That’s the beauty of The Alchemist. Its simplicity. And our instinctive appreciation for the simple...

Pros: thought provoking, entertaining, wonderful
Cons: none

This is an amazing book written by a Brazilian author. The book has been translated into something over 40 languages and there's no wonder why. I picked up this book and couldn't put it down. It has your classic story about a boy and his adventures, but...

Pros: Wonderful story, simple and beautifully written
Cons: So good, you wish it was longer

A wonderful book that is:

For anyone who has doubted where he or she is going in life;

For anyone who has had to make a decision and is then unsure of the choice;

For anyone who has ever followed a dream to its...