The Alchemist

An already wonderful story was made even more wonderful by the brilliant narration!

12 of 12 people found this review helpful.

The Alchemist was a wonderful allegory. Jeremy Iron’s narration was exquisite. I am now aware of my personal legend.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

I LOVE THIS BOOK. I read it a couple of times a year, and it always inspires me and re-energizes me.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

This is my favorite story. I’ve literally been listening to it in its entirety over and over again. The narrator is wonderful.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Narration was very good but I didn't like the story line. Kinda boring. I would not recommend it.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

A nice book if you are looking for something more spiritual/philosophical. It will have you wondering about life and decisions you make, things that happen, ... I would have given it 3.5 stars if that was an option. The story itself is not really special or gripping in any way. I really loved the narration, couldn't be better.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This book was a joy to read. My 7th grade son was reading it in English class and his teacher invited the parents to read it as well....I am glad that I did. What I took away from it will be much different than my 13 year old son, but it is truly a treasure. A beautiful, simple story that tells of life's mysteries without very much pomp or circumstance...the narrator brings the story of a boy in search of his Personal Legend in a mesmerizing way. His voice is calming yet personifies each character as he reads. I've recruiting other mom's to read it and I can't wait to meet for coffee and discover their own Personal Legends.....ha! Read it, you won't regret it!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This book makes you feel brand new every time. The narration was extraordinary as well.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Exelent it is such a rewarding book and the narrator was so good.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Alchemist is my favorite book of all times and I love this version even more because of the narrator, Jeremy Iron, a true artist.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Good lessons about destiny, life and love

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

A brilliant book and narrator was also great. It was my first audio book and I loved it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

A must read for everyone

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Inspirational and motivational....how sometimes we just settle instead of Pursuing our dream or personal legend. Beautiful book and exquisite narration.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is the second time I have read this book. I can’t believe how many different comments and exchanges hit a nerve that went undisturbed during the first encounter. I look forward to the new things I hear when I read it the third and fourth times.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Loved this book. Will always be one of my favorites of all time.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

outstanding

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Loved the storyline of the book and the narrations was very well done

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

great story very inspiring!! Jeremy irons was absolutely brilliant

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Hands down one of the greatest books I ever read pull something new everytime I read it

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

The message resonates...

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Life perspective in a narrative.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I thought the book was very full of imagination, however the storytelling really lacked detail and intrigue. The characters barely go through and character development and the end is underwhelming.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

amazingly read. its an amazing book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

absolutely love the storyline and all the life lessons woven in!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great book defiantly recommend

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I was all in, until the end. The conclusion was a crushing disappointment.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

One of my favorite books. Changes your perspective on life

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Love the book and the narrator.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

An incredible story written by a brilliant man. Jeremy Irons’ narration brought the story to life. Amazing.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Very interesting read. Good narrator, clearer than some others. Great moral of a story!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Really Well Read, good story with a good message

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

the narration of the book itself was fantastic, however the story lacked anything really interesting. The book is more philosophical and presents you with themes of finding who you are and your own personal legend/path in life. Dealing with the issues that come with such a journey, if you're going through a similar thing i'd recommend this book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

love the narrator, he does a great job in narrating various conversations with great speed. book is also great!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I found it interesting in terms of the life lessons learned throughout this novel. It lacked the action I was looking for, I found it a bit slow.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Did not like this book at all. Boring, to me.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

loved it very philosophical

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is an amazingly pleasant life changing book for me. So many LIFE LESSONS, and a pleasant tone by Mr Irons!!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great book! Beautiful writing style of Coelho that puts you in the story. Very good narrator ????

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Alchemist is my favorite book. I've already read it, but wanted to here the audio version. Jeremy Irons' voice and narration matched this epic story perfectly!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Very enlightening story, I really enjoyed how interesting the journey was.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Loved it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Lovely journey. Good wisdom well told. Jeremy irons provides range of voices to bring the story to life.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

One of my favorites! This book helps you remember what's important in life!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Such a wonderful book! I wish I had read it sooner. Excellent narration too.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Beautiful. Inspiring! Loved it...amazing book... and great narrator

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Beautiful fable of your finding the courage to follow your dreams. Inspiring read indeed.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

One of the best, most inspiring books I've ever read.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I found this book enjoyable with Interesting perspective into alternate cultures.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Beautiful story. So much to learn about life. The narrator is amazing!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great book. Loving listening to it. And the narrating us beautiful

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Good listen. Good message. See things differently. It's all relative.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This was an excellent story with life lessons. The narrator was excellent.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Love it! Great story with enjoyable narration.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Life changing! It shows how amazing things are possible when we push ourselves out of our comfort zones and beyond our fears.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Beautiful storyline. Simple yet inspiring. Everyone should read it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Story of life told in an unexpected way. Just as life is unexpected this story is just enough to show its readers how we navigate through life. Provides the perfect balance of mystic storytelling and realism.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book was selected for book club. Life is a journey and with any one you encounter you should try to learn something from that encounter or make the most of that day. I enjoyed it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Really like the audio version.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Inspiring! The voices and delivery was perfect and the story is a must read for those that want to do great things.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I've read this several times and this was the first time I was able to listen to it. I'm blown away by the simplicity of the story, yet it burns so deeply in me every time. The meaning is timeless and I hope it awakens something passionate in everybody that listens to it!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Beautiful -- a rich story, full of inspiration, that parallels Life.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Excellent book and very inspirational.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Enjoyable Read! Excellent Narrator for this story!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

True life lessons! I suggest everyone read

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Beautifully woven tale of spiritual growth told in a mesmerising voice. Relaxing, affirming and full of hope and wonder. I will return to this book many times!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Like any motivational book there was a lot of repetition. It was a great story line however and a enjoyable read.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Absolutely fantastic! Each page filled with wisdom. I literally laughed and cried several times. A prime choice of food for the spirit and the mind. Narrator does a great job of bringing the story to life. Bravo!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

A wonderful parable of the life and growth of an entrepreneur. Really hit home for me and helped me peek into the future as a business owner. I put this book on top of my list, making it my new favorite.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful story.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Best book ever. I'm so glad I got back into reading. This book has shown me new ways of thinking

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

That's great, now I can read or hear 1 of my favorite books.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Captivating and inspiring!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Solid overall, with a mix of historical / mystical with a simple "on a journey" type of story. A quick one that doesn't get too "preachy" about its point, and therefore makes it that much more poignant. Also, Jeremy Irons could read me a restaurant menu, and I'd listen.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Maybe the most interesting book i ever read in years.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This story is all-time and the narration was perfectly matched!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

LOVED it!!! Such a beautiful tale with wonderful lessons to be learned along the way. A captivating story.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I had heard so much about this story, often the hype over-rates, but this was very good. I've read others by Coelho, this one is the best so far.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

It was easy to listen to. Some prominent themes were repeated often, but that did not detract from the storyline itself. I loved this story!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This was a timeless fable crossing cultures, times and religion. I found it enjoyable and thought provoking, but I think Jeremy Irons could make the dictionary sound fascinating!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great story, well written and well read by Jeremy Irons.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Intermittently interesting parable about a shepherd who takes a gypsy's advice about following his dream to a treasure in the pyramids. Characters are two-dimensional archetypes who pronounce the fable's philosophy in the same long-winded and expository style, be they desert girl, alchemist, king or crystal seller. Not much new territory here. If you aren't familiar with the concept of taking a risk to realize your dream and learning life lessons from the sand and the sheep and the hawks of the desert, you will be by the end of this fable. You will have heard all about "your personal legend" and the "language of the world" and looking to the desert and the like. As philosophy, I found it unconvincing.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

A simple story with great life lessons. If you're in that state of mind when you need to hear a new slant on how to approach life's challenges, this book may be just the epiphany you need.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Beautifully told and very understandably written tale. Should be required reading for all.

Great listen.

Ioved this book. had all of my attention and couldn't stop listening. Great story

The story is absolutely beautiful - but the narration makes it extra special!

Very interesting book, and well read. It has been on my list to read for a long time and I’m glad I finally experienced the story.

I found this book interesting and enjoyed some of the surrealism. However, I think the philosophy is shallow. You are god. Follow your desires and the universe will help you get everything you want. I believe those that achieve a “personal legend” are actually those that sacrifice for a greater cause or for those they love.

Makes you look at where you are!

This book, with its great adventure, through the protagonist's journey from Spain to Egypt via Morocco, makes you understand that everyone has a purpose on earth and it is his/her duty to understand and pursue it! And of course the narrator makes the whole story engaging and entertaining, so highly recommended!

An old favourite! The narrator is superb.

absolutely brilliant reading. a wonderful story.

I love this book with my entire heart. It truly teaches you to cherish life.

Loved it. Beautiful.

Fantastic. The narration is the best ever, and the story is timeless. I can’t tell enough people to listen to this audiobook.

Lovely story. Feels like a tale being passed on through generations, sharing the wisdom with the future

One of my all time favorite novels!

I loved the novel very much. The narrator did a stellar job. I loved how he changed his voice to bring characters to life.

I love Paulo Coelho’s books!! It’s an amazing story!

I loved it! Jeremy Irons transported me to Spain and Northern Africa beautifully. I enjoyed the journey immensely. I would recommend this book whole heartedly.

Life changing very special

Very easy to follow along. Loved listening to this.

Beautiful story. Touched my soul and gave me a different way to see and believe.

Its not my cup of tea.

I don’t normally listen to fiction but took a chance on this one and I was not disappointed. It was a great listen, the story was fantastic, and the narration was stellar.

Really enjoyed this narrator, the characters he created really brought the story to life

This book is a easy read as well as listen. Irons is great reading the story with emotion.Multiple listen type of book

Worthy of class discussion. Enjoyed!

Loved it so much I heard it three times

An easy listen. Really enjoyed the storyline. Narrator’s voice was great.

Wonderful book! This is one that everyone should read.

Wonderful book full of TONS of symbolism. Love the narrator. Would definitely recommend to anyone who is on their own spiritual journey.

Great story told by a great story teller

Such a refreshing listen. Thought provoking and inspiring.

absolutely fantastic book and great narrator.

Love love love this book! Brilliant narration. Having ready the print edition, I could not have been happier with the audiobook. Brilliantly done.

Now, this is a book that had been sitting in my TBR for years now, and finally, I got a chance to take it up. The Alchemist is one of the global top sellers of all time, and it isn't without reason! The book is about a shepherd boy who starts his quest from a small village in order to find his personal treasure. His journey takes him halfway across the world and back, with tonnes of experiences and encounters with various people and things (yes, things as well!). Everything in the book revolves around the idea "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." Basically, something that Shah Rukh fans know by "Kehte hain agar kisi cheez ko dil se chaaho to puri kayanat usey tumse milane ki koshish main lag jaati hai.", which is well, nothing but a Bollywood ideology, but they sell, right! If you read it as a story, the book is worth it, but since the whole world takes it up on a philosophical plane, it isn't fair to take it up as just another fantasy-fiction while reading. The key takeaways (or the things which I think actually make sense) would be following your heart, and never giving up on your dreams. Now, even though most of the things are superficial, the book is a treasure trove of quotes. Some of my favorites are: “A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires.” "Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own." In the end, this one's something which you'll have to decide on your own whether or not to take up.

This is one of my favorite books. The more I listen the more the smaller details make a huge difference. Jeremy Irons is a national treasure

I loved this book. The narrator voice was perfect in helping with my visual interpretation of the story. The sorry itself was a wonderful metaphor and an allegory of life and our quest for our part in this life. The story starts a bit slow (reason behind my 4 stars) so I did put the book down a few times having to start over again and again. However, I knew the story was about the journey of finding your life’s purpose... ones true personal legend if you will...so, the desire to see Santiago‘s journey unfold kept bringing me back. The revelation was both unpredictable and satisfying. Everyone should read this book.

outstanding narration

This is a great story made all the better with Jeremy Irons narrating it.

Loved the colorful narration. The story was perfect at this point in my life. Definitely will be listening to it again and again.

I am disappointed that a good book becomes dull by the reader.

interesting allegory with valuable life lessons. Great narration by Jeremy Irons.

Loved this story!

Narrator was fantastic and I loved the book. Have had my eye on reading it for some time. Very happy I did, I found the book entertaining and full of lovely messages and insight. I will happily read this again.

What an absolute treasure!

This is a breathtaking book, providing an awe inspiring experience for the listener/reader. Jeremy Irons is a captivating narrator.

Brilliantly addicting.

Marvelous simply marvelous. My heart is happy to have listened to this book! I couldn't stop once I started it was just so intriguing ...

Great story, it will stick with me.

Really well written, transported me to the warm sun of Spain and the likes for sure... but a little cringe with all the “personal legend” stuff. It’s very “this is the way the world works” as opposed to “here’s my opinion, it worked for me” which would have felt less shoves down my throat. But all in all it’s a very cute little book and very different and it’s got some great lessons in there so by all means give it a read!

A moving story that resembles the many paths we take to look whats we believe to be long lost

This book changes the way you think. It's very deep whilst being interesting. Every part is a new lesson to take away.

This is a powerful story that I would recommend to friends and family. I would only note that this is yet another story where the adventurer and seeker was a male. Most other important characters in the story were male. The only female character was one that was "waiting" for her adventurer to return after fulfilling his personal legend and this drives me a bit crazy! For girls and woman reading or listening to this story I wonder how much more they would connect to this same story if the character was a girl.

I had no idea this is what The Alchemist was and I was floored by how beautiful the story is. I also enjoyed the narration but was a bit thrown off by the occasional Arab character with a cockney accent. I would and do recommend the book and the Audiobooks app to friends.

Good story, good read. Not what I was expecting but I liked it.

Great book. One of my favourite for sure. It changed me in many ways . Very inspiring and motivational. I recommend this book to everyone.

Very nice and profound book! Took me to another world.

Great book. A sure life changer. Amazing from start to finish

Meditative and a good reminder to follow your heart

One of my favorite books. It will teach you many life lessons very applicable to today's life

Completely enjoyable and stimulating read. Start to finish the book took me on a journey and I enjoyed every bit of the ride.

Great story! I found myself thinking of particular phrases of the book through out the day. Jeremy Irons narration was completely enjoyable.

I absolutely love the book. It's recommended by the most elite of this nation (USA) and I love the British narrator. He says things so clearly and it makes me feel so smart due to the sheer classiness in his voice. A lot of character in his voices is what I enjoy most. In my own head it didn't sound as Emotionalize like this is which helps the education really sink in and benefit. Beautifully written. Quite possibly among the best books ever written! I recommend it to everyone I talk to because of the sheer brilliance. Best $20 ever spent

One of the unique books I have ever experienced. Powerful enough to influence the way we think.

i absolutely adored this book. would add to my all time favorite books!

this was our free book. After listening to the first chapter it stopped. The book is a great story. we want to finish it.

Fantastic book! Loved listening to it on my road trip

Read the book and listened to the audio. Loved it very much.

Beautiful. Love being the answer, transforming the soul of the world. Profound writing.

I can certainly understand the very high ratings and very low ratings for this book. It's a pretty obvious allegory for how we should live our lives. I enjoyed it...it was an entertaining four plus hours in a car as we traveled last night, but I wasn't expecting greatness...and I didn't get it either. Some want to use this book as their map to spiritual enlightenment. It may work for some, but as a Christian for several decades myself, I found it fell far short. I really have no need for a new map as the one I already have is more than adequate.

Awesome audiobook, especially with of Jeremy Irons! Truly inspiring for ones spirit and dream to achieve greatness. Love it!

New agey contrived garbage. Hack writing. Regurgitated beat to death stuff framed as a parable. I guess if someone was at the end of their rope and desperately seeking something to make them think about anything to inspire them to keep them from jumping off a bridge and this book was the only thing within 20 miles then it would be perfect. If the author made more than $7.50 an hour for the time it took them to write this book then they were overpaid

I loved Jeremy Irons's reading, but this story was not my cup of tea. It kept my attention when the characters were in focus, but when it turned to philosophy or sounded more like a legend than a story, I drifted off.

Could only have gotten through this with the narration of Jeremy Irons.

I put this one on my list because it was suggested reading based from a personal improvement blog I follow. When it came in, I let it sit around a while because I didn't expect to enjoy it so much. So, maybe its a case of exceeding low expectations, but I really enjoyed this little book.

Rented this one because my kids were reading for school.Enjoyed the narrator. The book meandered as much as the boy. Just OK for me. (If you liked it - you'll love the Celestine Prophecy!)

I probably would've enjoyed this book more if I weren't so familiar with The Little Prince. This book reminded me of that a lot. However, the narrator is great, and it's a reasonably short book so it's not a huge investment of time.

Jeremy Irons is GREAT reading this. It was very interesting. A couple of flaws but other than that a pretty entertaining book.

I thought the book was good. Not great but good. Jeremy Irons reading is wonderful and the book chugs along pretty smoothly. I think the title is a bit deceiving but otherwise I would recommend it. It just isn't at the top of my list of books to recommend.

Loved it!! The first audiobook i listen to and completely love it! made me look forward to drive to finish the book lol

Don't miss this book. Jeremy Irons is riveting. Listen to it in bed under the covers like a child! You won't regret it. It lives up to its reputation.

I gave up in the middle. The story put on airs of being meaningful and deep, but I found it shallow and meaningless.

This might possibly have made a good book to read on paper, but listening to it on CD while driving to/from work was torture. I didn't finish it.

I truly enjoyed this audiobook. It got me thinking about what we want out of life, how we go about pursuing those dreams and what we need to do to acquire what we want. The book had wonderful stories on pursuing one's personal legend and going after it. A great book!

Overall not a bad little book about life's journey. I found it a cute story; a little insightful but nothing more than that.

I chose this book out of curiosity after hearing some friends talk about it. What I found as I listened was a wonderful surprise. The book is wonderful in its simplicity yet mesmerizing in its revelations. The reading by Jeremy Irons only served to increase the impact of the story. I highly recommend this release and give it an enthusiastic 5 stars.

Very enjoyable. I recommend for easy listening and thought provoking ideas.

This is a simple tale about a boy who follows a dream, and its setting in Spain, Africa, and the Middle East gives it an exotic quality. But it should have been simpler. The plot is one machinery-of-the-gods turn after another, with lots of windy pronouncements along the way. If you want Kahlil Gibran with a thin watering of plot for the 21st century, you might enjoy this. Otherwise I don't recommend it.

I was a huge fan of his other books, but this one relied too heavily on a child's fable based upon the philosophy of "follow your dreams".

It's not a bad story, and it's very well read - but there is nothing new here, and it is not particularly well written.

I really enjoyed this book, I listened to it three times before sending back.

A seeker's quest of simplistic but picturesque mysticism. Well worth the journey.

Enough can not be said of Jeremy Iron's fantastic narration. This was a great story and told superbly.

The book may not be for everyone but I thought is was great. Lots of symbolism and lots of lessons about life. It was written in the style of a fable. I got a lot out of the book. As long as it is not taken too seriously. Great for adolescents and adults.

If you like Lord of the Rings type books, this is okay, but I really got lost listening. However, I really enjoyed the reader!!!

This book was excellent. I have listened to over 20 books since joining Simply Audiobooks and this one has been my favorite by far.

A different read from your average book. I enjoyed both the story and the lessons.

The story was "cute" and easy to listen to. However, instead of finding it thought provoking, it felt like the author had a message and was just picking this medium. Since I don't believe everything happens for a reason, the book was ultimately disappointing despite the precise British enunciation of the narrator and the fable of a sheep herder.

This one was different. It reads like an ancient tale, a fable, or a time honored story passed from generation to generation. The simplicity of the words made the lessons easy to discern. It seemed to me almost a ressurection story of sorts, and it made many Biblical references as examples through the teaching of the shepherd. It was not your typical read, but it was a nice diversion and an interesting opportunity for introspection of one's own personal legend.

I was really disappointed with this read. I have heard a lot about it and was excited to hear it. I don't even really remember it to well...it was too long and drawn out and couldn't hold my attention. I kept wanting it to be over with so I could move onto the next book. Big disappointment!

I am very conservative with my five star ratings and this is one of only two books that warranted this rating for me. It was a spiritual story, beautiful and very human. I felt as if I were there, looking on in this young man's journey to discover his personal legend. It also created a curiosity in me over what my personal legend is or will be. Excellent. I would readily listen to this book again.

I was not impressed by this book. The main character is likable, but the book was slow and I was disappointed in the ending. Without giving anything away, the book could have ended sooner and I would have appreciated its premise more. I guess I am more into thrillers while in the car.

Wonderful historical novel about the journey into the greatest wisdom a human can gather.

Excellent! Beautiful story read by a wonderfully soothing Mr. Irons.

This book was very easy to listen to and really made me stop and remember things I had forgotten. Very good when you are like a hamster running endlessly from work to home and back again.

Jeremy Irons did a wonderful job reading this book. The story itself was simple, yet captivating.

Delightful and fun, very easy to listen to. I would rent it again.

I loved this book, not because it was fun and entertaining fiction, but because it was so deep. It read like a parable and I believe there are a lot of very deep things communicated in it that can help a person find greater meaning in life.

I would rent this again. Sweet and inspiring it entertains and instructs without preaching. A wonderful way to spend a commute.

This story seemed too much like a tale that was just waiting for a big finish line like, "...and the moral of the story is...." To me it dragged on. Stiil, I do love Jeremy Irons as a narrator.

More of an allegory than a novel, this is a brief but wonderful adventure.

Although the book made a good point about pursuing our purpose, I found it odd and somewhat boring.

Coelho has woven a story that is reminiscent of dozens of other tales of this ilk. A boy sets off on an adventure to fulfill his dreams, find himself and acquire his own personal treasure. There are lots of life lessons, learning experiences and growth opportunities. You'll feel the whole "when life gives you lemons make lemonade" vibe. Yet, the story moves quickly and fluidly with a strong heart. It's got spunk and character that make it a pleasant listen, albeit brief. The tale winds down too quickly and another 25 pages would have really enabled Coelho to flesh out Santiago a little more. Jeremy Irons is exceptional as narrarator. All in all this is a clean, uplifting, entertaining read that will leave all but the sourest pusses with a smile.

At first I was not sure if I would finish this book since my husband picked it out and we have extremely different taste. I soon realize that I could not put it down and quickly finished in a few days. Excellent book for anyone who questions if there is more to life that what we are used to.

great story. Good masages that we ignore in this world.

This is a arabian nightsw type story about a kid who whats to travel and see the world instead of living the average life that his father lived before him. Along the way you learn of the people he meets and the lessons he learns. It was just OK if you like this kind of story. The reader was easy to listen to. I can see how some would find it uplifting. Good to listen to with kids in the car.

Very inspirational. A great listen for anyone going through tough times and needs a little spirit lifter. The story is filled with little life lessons and a better way to perceive them. If you have read The Celestine Phrophecy or Mutant Message From Down Under this book will remind you of them. It is definetly a feel good book.

Not as inspiring as I expected. Frequently bored. Found myself wishing that I had not rented this book. Glad it was only 4 discs.

Excellent. The book is dynamic and interesting the whole time.

Imagine yourself sitting beside a fire listening spellbound to a master storyteller. This is the feeling evoked by Jeremy Iron's masterful narration of this short novel. This audiobook takes you deep into the "magical realism" of Paul Coehlo's tale of a young boy's quest for his destiny. A wonderful experience.

Based on the book cover, I expected a dull, mystical read. I was happily incorrect. While not action-packed, it keeps the readers interest by tapping into the spiritual action and growth that "The Boy" goes through. It is provactive and reveals many truths on which to meditate if one is open. "The Alchemist" is a refreshing tale with colorful characters and easy narration. Highly recommended!

While the story is easy listening, I found it to be very thought provoking. I actually listened to it twice, not because I thought it was such a great story, but because I thought the avenues of thought it provoked were worthwhile.

This books is wonderful, in a light-hearted way. For those who want a book that is short, easy to read, has spiritual referrences, romance and a "happy ending", this would fit the bill. The theme, while overly used in todays, self help books is put into a fictional setting and just leaves you feeling good about possibilites in life and trusting your inner voice.

This is a confusing mish-mash of many cultures sending an old and worn out message. There are references to God and the Son of God, an old pagan/earth magic (the language of the world) and Arabs who seem to have no knowledge of Islam. The reference to your "personal legend," which one is supposed to pursue, was confusing. A legend is something that grows after one has achieved something, right? Then I realized it was just a bad translation. It annoys me that Paul Coelho has been able to write several of these formula "fables" for people who have no knowledge of religious or philosophical history. The characters have no depth. The boy courts and then abandons two women to "pursue his personal legend." There are stones that have power, which he sometimes does and sometimes does not call on in times of danger. The alchemist turns out to be a magician of sorts who gives contradictory advice. Read critically!

Marvelous, loved the story, well read and inspirational.

This is a book I could read or listen to over and over. The original book review says it all. This is a fantastic story.

I loved this book and am contemplating buying it in book form for my kids to read. It was simple story of courage and determination, but it also makes you think about what my own personal quest might be and if I am heeding the omens set forth for me. I very rarely listen to a book more than once which is why I subscribed in the first place but I have to say, I would probably rent this again just to re-hear the lessons in the story. I highly recommend for those seeking universal wisdom.

A friend told me about this book so I really didn't know what the story was going to be about. I am so very glad I didn't let that stop me from renting it as this book may now be one of my favorites. It was absolutley wonderful and I would recommend this book to anyone.

An absolutely wonderful book! On its surface it is a fable, but the life messages which the author conveys through this fable take your breath away. I found that this book appealed to my soul and, at times, I was overcome with emotion. It's a wonderful fable with simple characters and, ultimately, the life message is simple but we humans just find it so very difficult. This book will enrich your life and Jeremy Irons reading of the book tremendously adds to the impact.

This was a great story of human nature, or more correctly how human nature would be if everyone followed their dreams. It is amazing to think about what might be possible. A great parable.