Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Whilst I did not enjoy this book like I enjoyed Catch 22, or such solid hearty novel, I felt that to offer it less than five stars would be a mistake, and the undervaluing of an important and influential book. I may have loved Catch 22, but I won't necessarily remember it forever, where as The Alchemist raised many issues I believe I will ponder for the remainder of my life. It is a fairly swift read, read by me at odd moments during a single day and finished at the close of the night, and could be described more as pyshcology before novel, however the philosophies of the book are presented brilliantly. Behind the magical mysterious story of a travel loving shepard seeking his true destiny and meeting many people who will shape the rest of his life along the way. I could never 'love' this novel, but it is most certainly an important one, that I will not forget, and although I do not agree with all issues raised, it certainly prompted a fury of thought regarding my life path, and whether I will be doing what I want to in six years, and in sixty. This is single objective of Cohelo's simple book. Hence, for me this book was an utter success. I felt that the length of the book was sufficent; any longer it may have seemed like preaching. All in all, Inspiring philosophies hidden behind a simple story.