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thenile.com.au

Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho has been read by over 30 million people, many of whom have claimed that it has been a life changing experience.

The Spanish shepherd boy Santiago (actually he's in his late teens) has a dream of treasure near the Pyramids. Should he believe his dream? He meets a man who gives him the advice that when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. Strangely similar to a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. Now I read somewhere that Emerson deserved to be shot for his quote about mousetraps, and this advice didn't seem very helpful either. Santiago sells his flock and starts a journey to Egypt, but soon all his money is stolen - hardly things conspiring in his favour. He has to try to earn enough to restart a flock.

But does Santiago ever find his treasure by the Pyramids? You'll need to read the book to find out. The point the book does make is that if you really want to do something but don't, then you'll live to regret it - much more than if you go ahead but run into problems. A lesson you can learn from other books perhaps, but Coelho's enchanting fable is still well worth reading.

Amazon.com info

Paperback 208 pages
ISBN: 0061122416
Salesrank: 262
Weight:0.3 lbs

Published: 2006 HarperCollins

Amazon price $10.19

Marketplace:New from $7.00:Used from $2.85

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Amazon.co.uk info

Paperback 208 pages
ISBN: 0722532938
Salesrank: 239
Weight:0.53 lbs

Published: 1999 Thorsons

Amazon price £3.99

Marketplace:New from £1.22:Used from £0.01

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Amazon.ca info

Paperback 208 pages
ISBN: 0061122416
Salesrank: 446
Weight:0.3 lbs

Published: 2006 Harperone

Amazon price CDN$ 13.86

Marketplace:New from CDN$ 9.00:Used from CDN$ 7.62

Buy from Amazon.ca

Product Description
My Heart Is Afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up at the moonless sky."Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams." Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. The Alchemist is such a book. With over a million and a half copies sold around the world, The Alchemist has already established itself as a modern classic, universally admired. Paulo Coelho's charming fable, now available in English for the first time, will enchant and inspire an even wider audience of readers for generations to come. The Alchemist is the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found. From his home in Spain he journeys to the markets of Tangiers and across the Egyptian desert to a fateful encounter with the alchemist. The story of the treasures Santiago finds along the way teaches us, as only a few stories have done, about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, above all, following our dreams.

Product Description

My Heart Is Afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up at the moonless sky."Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams."

Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. The Alchemist is such a book. With over a million and a half copies sold around the world, The Alchemist has already established itself as a modern classic, universally admired. Paulo Coelho's charming fable, now available in English for the first time, will enchant and inspire an even wider audience of readers for generations to come.

The Alchemist is the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found. From his home in Spain he journeys to the markets of Tangiers and across the Egyptian desert to a fateful encounter with the alchemist.

The story of the treasures Santiago finds along the way teaches us, as only a few stories have done, about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, above all, following our dreams.

Good book, short review ****
This was a great book, I read it in about two days. It's an easy read and a simple style. I got about halfway through the book before I decided to download it in Portuguese as well. Now that I'm through the English translation, I've gone back and started to read the Portuguese version. I would recommend it for anyone who speaks Portuguese as a second language, as lots of Brazilian literature is complex and hard to work through, this book is simple and to the point.

Good book, short review ****

This was a great book, I read it in about two days. It's an easy read and a simple style. I got about halfway through the book before I decided to download it in Portuguese as well. Now that I'm through the English translation, I've gone back and started to read the Portuguese version. I would recommend it for anyone who speaks Portuguese as a second language, as lots of Brazilian literature is complex and hard to work through, this book is simple and to the point.

Exceeded my expectations! *****
I was very pleased, and surprised at the excellent condition of the book. It appeared brand-new. I also received 2 extra books by the same author as a bonus. I was thrilled. Thanks again!

Exceeded my expectations! *****

I was very pleased, and surprised at the excellent condition of the book. It appeared brand-new. I also received 2 extra books by the same author as a bonus. I was thrilled. Thanks again!

not my style **
Didnt it like this book, got half way through it and ive thrown it aside. Boring and predictabe. Perhaps if i was 10 id fancy it.

not my style **

Didnt it like this book, got half way through it and ive thrown it aside. Boring and predictabe. Perhaps if i was 10 id fancy it.

Bordering on Cliche **
I'm not going to say that I don't understand the positive reviews here, because I do. This book is inspiring in the same way that a sunrise is, and that is a way that's been pointed out every day since the beginning of time. I found this book to be a culmination of all the cheesy, so-called-encouraging "what's-meant-to-be" quotes that any distant friend gives you when you're stressed out. As a book, I found it to be average. I was able to finish it easily, but the message was dragged. The final scene was exciting and written well, but the message was too Aesop for me. A friend recommended it to me saying that it "changed her life." It certainly didn't change mine, and if it changes yours... I think you've been living under a rock for a while.

Bordering on Cliche **

I'm not going to say that I don't understand the positive reviews here, because I do. This book is inspiring in the same way that a sunrise is, and that is a way that's been pointed out every day since the beginning of time.

I found this book to be a culmination of all the cheesy, so-called-encouraging "what's-meant-to-be" quotes that any distant friend gives you when you're stressed out.

As a book, I found it to be average. I was able to finish it easily, but the message was dragged. The final scene was exciting and written well, but the message was too Aesop for me.

A friend recommended it to me saying that it "changed her life." It certainly didn't change mine, and if it changes yours... I think you've been living under a rock for a while.

perfect *****
This is one of the best books ever each period of time there is one book which will awaken your inner soul to free dreams of life. its great story enhances people to search and fulfill their dreams because nothing is impossible. it is an adventure story full of magic and wisdom. (The Alchemist)is a fabulous success.

perfect *****

This is one of the best books ever
each period of time there is one book which will awaken your inner soul to free dreams of life.
its great story enhances people to search and fulfill their dreams because nothing is impossible. it is an adventure story full of magic and wisdom. (The Alchemist)is a fabulous success.

Masterpiece *****
This book is a Must Read. I am a fresh graduate and was in the job seeking stage at the moment. It was Paulo Coelho's work which encouraged me and told me not to give up. Inspirational.

Masterpiece *****

This book is a Must Read. I am a fresh graduate and was in the job seeking stage at the moment. It was Paulo Coelho's work which encouraged me and told me not to give up. Inspirational.

Excellent book *****
A great book with a powerful message. I purchased this from Amazon after hearing Will Smith mention it. Well worth reading!

Excellent book *****

A great book with a powerful message. I purchased this from Amazon after hearing Will Smith mention it. Well worth reading!

The Alchemist changed my life *****
What an amazing life changing book, the subtle messages are undertones for the creation of the self belief and faith that we all need to achive in life.

The Alchemist changed my life *****

What an amazing life changing book, the subtle messages are undertones for the creation of the self belief and faith that we all need to achive in life.

Fictional self-help book *****
When reading this book, I was struck by the amount of principles I recognised in it, which I have read about in many different self-help books. 'The Alchemist' basically ecapsulates much of the wisdom and advice of self-help books in to its story about a shepherd who is chasing his dreams. It only took me 2 or 3 hours to read but reading it was a marvellous and inspirational journey. I won't go in to too much detail as there is already a multitude of reviews for this book, but it's a great read, it's inspirational, and if celebrity endorsement is important to you, Bill Clinton and Julia Roberts have read the book, and Madonna endorses it in the blurb. There is also an interview with Paulo Coelho at the back of the book, which I found interesting to read.

Fictional self-help book *****

When reading this book, I was struck by the amount of principles I recognised in it, which I have read about in many different self-help books. 'The Alchemist' basically ecapsulates much of the wisdom and advice of self-help books in to its story about a shepherd who is chasing his dreams.

It only took me 2 or 3 hours to read but reading it was a marvellous and inspirational journey. I won't go in to too much detail as there is already a multitude of reviews for this book, but it's a great read, it's inspirational, and if celebrity endorsement is important to you, Bill Clinton and Julia Roberts have read the book, and Madonna endorses it in the blurb.

There is also an interview with Paulo Coelho at the back of the book, which I found interesting to read.

The Alchemist *****
A truly inspirational and motivating read that gives you the confidence and belief that all dreams can become reality if you open your eyes and follow the signs. A very philosophical book well worth buying.

The Alchemist *****

A truly inspirational and motivating read that gives you the confidence and belief that all dreams can become reality if you open your eyes and follow the signs. A very philosophical book well worth buying.

A Motivational Book *****
This book is good at accomplishing one goal: motivating its reader. Specifically, it motivates you to follow your heart and endeavor to fulfill goals that you've set for yourself. Despite the religious tone of the book, I found that each character in the fable had a good life lesson to teach. I highly recommend this book to anyone who's feeling gloomy; it will surely brighten your day.

A Motivational Book *****

This book is good at accomplishing one goal: motivating its reader. Specifically, it motivates you to follow your heart and endeavor to fulfill goals that you've set for yourself. Despite the religious tone of the book, I found that each character in the fable had a good life lesson to teach. I highly recommend this book to anyone who's feeling gloomy; it will surely brighten your day.

Good Read ***
Great story with many jewels of wisdom put in throughout. There are lessons here for all of us to learn from and great advice on how to live life.

Good Read ***

Great story with many jewels of wisdom put in throughout. There are lessons
here for all of us to learn from and great advice on how to live life.

Mrs. Q: Book Addict : Visit my blog for newest reviews. ****
The Alchemist is a simple fable that alludes to the fact that all of us have a purpose and a dream in life. It is a simple book, but nonetheless inspiring. It is a story about a young boy named Santiago who has reoccurring dreams about a treasure, when he goes to see a gypsy about the meaning of his dream she tells him to follow his dream and not to pay her now for her services but to pay her one tenth of his treasure once he finds it. Santiago left home to become a shepherd to follow his dreams of travel. He is hesitant to leave his flock, but begins to follow omens. Through his travels he overcomes many obstacles and meets many people who guide him in his journey. He meets to love of his life Fatima. Santiago tells her that he will need to continue on his journey but rest assured that he will come back to her. Through the story Santiago is led by many spiritual guides, and leaves the readers inspired. All of us have a purpose in life, and we need to listen to the omens around us. Our heart will lead us, where it will need to go. I did enjoy the novel. However, near the end I did want it to end. This book was given to me from a coworker and I'm glad I read it. I do recommend the novel, especially for someone who is struggling to make life decisions. It's a spiritual and inspiring book that I'm happy to add to my "read in 2009 list."

Mrs. Q: Book Addict : Visit my blog for newest reviews. ****

The Alchemist is a simple fable that alludes to the fact that all of us have a purpose and a dream in life. It is a simple book, but nonetheless inspiring. It is a story about a young boy named Santiago who has reoccurring dreams about a treasure, when he goes to see a gypsy about the meaning of his dream she tells him to follow his dream and not to pay her now for her services but to pay her one tenth of his treasure once he finds it. Santiago left home to become a shepherd to follow his dreams of travel. He is hesitant to leave his flock, but begins to follow omens. Through his travels he overcomes many obstacles and meets many people who guide him in his journey. He meets to love of his life Fatima. Santiago tells her that he will need to continue on his journey but rest assured that he will come back to her. Through the story Santiago is led by many spiritual guides, and leaves the readers inspired. All of us have a purpose in life, and we need to listen to the omens around us. Our heart will lead us, where it will need to go.

I did enjoy the novel. However, near the end I did want it to end. This book was given to me from a coworker and I'm glad I read it. I do recommend the novel, especially for someone who is struggling to make life decisions. It's a spiritual and inspiring book that I'm happy to add to my "read in 2009 list."

Profoundly insipid *
Profoundly vapid, insipid, merit-less, pseudo-spiritual tripe. If Cinderella is your idea of a good read, this will appeal to you. Could have been written in the time it takes to read. Next to this, the Harry Potter series merits a Nobel. Humor, plotting, character development, intelligence, descriptiveness are all absent from this. Like a bad classics comic without the nice drawings.

Profoundly insipid *

Profoundly vapid, insipid, merit-less, pseudo-spiritual tripe. If Cinderella is your idea of a good read, this will appeal to you. Could have been written in the time it takes to read. Next to this, the Harry Potter series merits a Nobel. Humor, plotting, character development, intelligence, descriptiveness are all absent from this. Like a bad classics comic without the nice drawings.