the alchemist book review

Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist is the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy content to wander through the Spanish fields and towns with his faithful flcok until a recurring dream about finding his treasure at the Pyramids of Egypt rousts him from complacency. In trying to understand his dream, Santiago encounters a wise old man who calls himself Melchizedek, the King of Salem, who sets the boy off on a quest to discover his Personal Legend:

"It's what you have alwasys wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is. At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives. But, as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their Personal Legend."

Thus spurred on by the mysterious stranger, Santiago abandons his shepherd life to this adventure of discovery. He crosses from Spain into Tangiers and further, paying heed to the omens and surmounting obstacles along the way.

Paulo Coelho's story is a short (163 pages) and simple one, an inspirational parable about the importance of pursuing one's dreams. Originally published in 1988 in the Brazillian author's native Portugese, it has since been translated in close to 70 languages and has become one of the best-selling books in history. The Alchemist is a quick and enjoyable reminder for anyone who feels they have become distracted from pursuing their own Personal Legend.

source:

http://contemporarylit.about.com/od/philosophyreligion/fr/the-alchemist.htm

movie stolen review

Name of book: Stolen

Author: Susan Lewis

Picked it up at…. Another proud book from… Sisters’ job! =]

Rating: 7/10

What I liked: An amazing gripping story that keeps you engaged from start to finish! Brilliant, consistent characters and well thought out plot twists

What I disliked: ……. In some ways a bit too fast, but with more than 300 pages, I guess it had to end some time. Wow, I really can’t think of anything else… I hate to say it, but it was one smashing, faultless book!

What is was all about: A girl gets abducted at the age of 3, and her live takes a twisting turn… The story starts a few months before she discovers the biggest secret of her life! And from there on you get dragged into a brilliant story!

Why would I recommend this book: If you need an intriguing escape, that keeps you gripped till the end, you will love this. What I liked a lot is the fact that it had a great ending! Through all the drama and tragedy, it comes out loving and beautiful

source:http://booksandbabbling.wordpress.com/tag/book-review/

Hollywood wives review

Name of book: Hollywood Wives

Cover of Hollywood Wives

Author: Jackie Collins

As you can see I am very into chick-lit these days! I have no idea why, perhaps it makes me feel better knowing there are people out there with worse problems than mine, even if they are fictional!

Picked it up at…. I picked it up for R6 at a second-hand bookshop nearby!

Rating: 6/10

What I liked: A great writer. I persist that Jackie Collins is indeed a great writer, a bit predictable, a tad over dramatic. But great all the same!

What I disliked: Too much ‘lead’ characters, way too many plots. In my humbled opinion the book was a few pages too long…

What is was all about: The whole story revolves around ‘the wives of Hollywood’ and what they get up to in their daily lives… It is very insightful into the world of the Rich and Famous =]

[thanks Dishilicious for pointing out my oversight!!]

Why would I recommend this book: This was a good book. Really it was. But there was a few things that bothered me! This book was great for me, because it took my mind of a lot of things going on! It was fun to read, easy.

Source : http://booksandbabbling.wordpress.com/2011/06/26/book-review-hollywood-wives/

The Last Novel Read

The alchemist:

This is a book for the adolescent character. It describes the postponement of whatever life has to offer until some mysterious personal fulfillment is achieved. It offers the opposite of the classic wisdom of finding the opportunity of fulfillment in where you are, whom you are with and in the present. This is a dumb book like one I read many years ago called Jonathan Livingston Seagull, which described a seagull who dared to soar and fly differently than all the other gulls. This book was very popular, too. I suppose there is always an appetite for justifying the facile approach to (missing) life. Don't waste your time on it -- or at least don't get sucked in by it!