I had such high expectations for this book. In the end, I was very disappointed. The story was very simple, very predictable, and came across like a children's story attempting to play dress-up as a deep, spiritual, inspirational epic.

Fourtunately, this book was short (less than 200 pages) so I didn't feel like I wasted too much of my time. If you are looking for a simple little tale and aren't looking to get much out of it (or you're 12 years old) then perhaps this would be worth a look. But if you want more out of this book than that, perhaps you should skip it and look for something else.

I was told that this book would change my life, but I was sorely disappointed. It's a fable that reminds me of a children's story in its simplicity, but seems too fuzzy and predictable to be enjoyable. I also wanted something more concrete than its vague hints at spirituality. A disappointing read, but as it comes in at under 200 pages at least it didn't waste much of my time.

A 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.

We all complicate life and after reading the Alchemist it is easy to see how it does not need to be that way. Each one of us have to realize that we are on our own personal journey and have we approach it is up to us. We can complicated it and make it difficult only if we are not ready to pursuit it or we can accept the truth for what it is and enjoy the journey.

A well written easy read. Reminisent of the Little Prince. Interesting flow of events showing that life is always teaching through trial and tribulations and that maintaining your faith in your dreams should always be a priority. Happiness comes to those who look for it.

I heard so many good things about this book. I read some of it and just couldn't finish.....just wasn't for me.

This book is inspirational and full of life lessons. I read this book in one sitting. But it will be read many more times. I highly recommend this book.

I tend to stay away from the "it" books. You know what I mean--those books that every bookclub is reading, the ones that non-readers rave about (possibly because it's the only book they read all year), the ones on the bestseller lists for years and years. Yeah, those books. Several have proved me wrong (Water for Elephants, the Harry Potter series, The Kite Runner), but overall, those books that appeal to the masses typically do not appeal to me. This is no exception to that rule. If you are one of those non-readers I mentioned above, this book is perfect for you. It's easy to follow, has a cute little moral, and talks about God a lot. None of those aforementioned characteristics are bad on its own; but together they tend to be a nightmare. While this wasn't exactly a nightmare, it just simply wasn't for me and definitely does not live up to the hype. I did like the message, but it's not exactly realistic for me...or pretty much anyone. Discover your Personal Legend at all costs or your life will never mean anything. Listen to your heart. Blah blah blah. This is the kind of book that makes people feel intellectual. It made me feel dumber.

Interesting book. Unexpected story line.

I agree with Lauren B. that this story is "too fuzzy and predictable to be enjoyable," and I found "its vague hints at spirituality" rather annoying. I realize that I might have liked it when I was 13. In my sixties, I just found it boring.

I loved this book. It's about a young man's search for his dream and following his heart.

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I had never heard of this book until one day I read about it on a blog. The poster didn't even talk about it explicitly- it was in pictures of some things he had packed for a trip. Since then, it haunted me. In the library, it was on the display shelf. In a bookstore I had never been in- it was in a very prominent place. In my local bookstore, it was on sale. Every time I saw it I would read the first sentence, and put it back, and know that if I ever got down to actually reading it, it would disappoint, because by then I had put it on a pedestal. It didn't. This book changed the entire way I live my life. I highly recommend it to anyone who has ever felt restless, fidgety, or simply curious.

this is another book encouraging selfishness and ideas contrary to my Judaeo-Christian belief system. The author is simplistic in his thinking, regarding all religions as the same.

Literally, the worst book I have ever read. It tries to be all spiritual and metaphysical but it is nothing but nonsense. I read this with a book club and every single member of our group hated it.

I expected this book to be enlightening and deeply moving from what I had heard about it. I found it to be a huge let down. I didn't find the story edifying or even entertaining. I guess I just didn't get it, but I learned nothing from this story. I did not identify with the character or his journey at all, and I didn't find him to be worthy of admiration. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone I know.

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