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Created by teachers and writers, each title in this series provides a complete and thoughtful analysis of several of the most valuable works of world literature. Intended as a starting point for a better understanding and appreciation of literature, each analysis also imparts information about the author, the social and historical background, structure and traditions of literary genres, facts about characters, and a bibliography to encourage further intellectual exploration.
Esta colección es una herramienta indispensable para el estudio y análisis de obras clásicas de la literatura universal. Los libros de formato agradable y presentación moderna ofrecen un análisis crÃtico, información sobre los personajes y los géneros literarios, una bibliografÃa, y un compendio de la obra en particular junto a un estudio del autor y su época.
As a youth, Coelho was expected to follow in the footsteps of his father, a professional engineer. When he rebelled, expressing his intentions to become a writer, his parents had him committed to a psychiatric hospital where he was subjected to electro-shock therapy. He left home to join the 1970s countercultural revolution, experimenting with drugs, dabbling in black magic, and getting involved in Brazil's bohemian art and music scene. He teamed with rock musician Raul Seixas for an extremely successful songwriting partnership that changed the face of Brazilian pop -- and put a lot of money in Coelho's pockets. He also joined an anti-capitalist organization called the Alternative Society which attracted the attention of Brazil's military dictatorship. Marked down as a subversive, he was imprisoned and tortured.
Amazingly, Coelho survived these horrific experiences. He left the hippie lifestyle behind, went to work in the record industry, and began to write, but without much success. Then, in the mid-1980s, during a trip to Europe, he met a man, an unnamed mentor he refers to only as "J," who inducted him into Regnum Agnus Mundi, a secret society that blends Catholicism with a sort of New Age mysticism. At J's urging, Coelho journeyed across el Camino de Santiago, the legendary Spanish road traversed by pilgrims since the Middle Ages. He chronicled this life-changing, 500-mile journey -- the culmination of decades of soul-searching -- in The Pilgrimage, published in 1987.
The following year, Coelho wrote The Alchemist, the inspirational fable for which he is best known. The first edition sold so poorly the publisher decided not to reprint it. Undaunted, Coelho moved to a larger publishing house that seemed more interested in his work. When his third novel (1990's Brida) proved successful, the resulting media buzz carried The Alchemist all the way to the top of the charts. Released in the U.S. by HarperCollins in 1993, The Alchemist became a word-of-mouth sensation, turning Coelho into a cult hero.
Since then, he has gone on to create his own distinct literary brand -- an amalgam of allegory and self-help filled with spiritual themes and symbols. In his novels, memoirs, and aphoristic nonfiction, he returns time and again to the concepts of quest and transformation and has often said that writing has helped connect him to his soul. While his books have not always been reviewed favorably and have often become the subject of strong cultural and philosophical debate, there is no doubt that this self-described "pilgrim writer" has struck a chord in readers everywhere. In the 2009 edition of the Guiness Book of World Records, Coelho was named the most translated living author -- with William Shakespeare the most translated of all time!
Before become a bestselling novelist, Coelho was a writer of a different sort. He co-wrote more than 60 songs with Brazilian musician Raul Seixas.
Coelho is the founder of the Paulo Coelho Institute, a non-profit organization funded by his royalties that raises money for underprivileged children and the elderly in his homeland of Brazil.
In our interview with Coelho, he shared some fascinating facts about himself:
"I have been practicing archery for a long time; a bow and arrow helps me to unwind."
"In writing, I apply my feminine side and respect the mystery involved in creation."
"I love almost everything about my work, except conferences. I am too shy in front of an audience. But I love signings and having eye contact with a reader who already knows my soul."
El muchacho se llamaba Santiago. Empezaba a oscurecer, cuando llegó con su rebaño ante una vieja iglesia abandonada. El techo se habÃa hundido hacÃa mucho tiempo y un enorme sicomoro habÃa crecido en el lugar que antes albergaba la sacristÃa.
Resolvió pasar allà la noche. Hizo que todas las ovejas entrasen por la puerta en ruinas y luego colocó unos maderas de modo que no pudiesen huir durante la noche. No habÃa lobos en aquella región, pero una vez se escapó uno de aquellos animales durante la noche y el pastor se pasó todo el dÃa siguiente buscando, la oveja descarriada.
Extendió su chaqueta sobre el suelo, y acostóse en é1, usando como almohada el libro que acababa de leer. Antes de dormirse, recordó que le hacÃa falta leer libros más gruesos: se tardaba más en leerlos, y por la noche resultaban más cómodos corno almohada. TodavÃa estaba oscuro cuando despertó. Miró hacia arriba y vio que las estrellas brillaban a través del techo semiderruido. Quisiera dormir un poco más, pensó. HabÃa tenido el mismo sueño de la, semana pasada y de nuevo despertó antes de llegar al final.
Se levantó y tomó un sorbo de vino. Después cogió el cayado y empezó a despertar a las ovejas que todavÃa dormÃan. Se habÃa fijado en que cuando despertaba, también empezaban a despertar la mayor parte de los animales. Como si hubiese alguna misteriosa energÃa que uniese su vida a la vida de lasovejas que desde hacÃa dos años recorrÃan con é1 la tierra en busca de agua y alimento. Ya se han acostumbrado tanto a mÃ, dijo en voz baja, que conocen mis horarios. Reflexionó un momento y pensó que tambié:n podÃa ser cierto lo contrario: que se hubiese acostumbrado é1 a los horarios de las ovejas.
Sin embargo, habÃa a1gunas ovejas que tardaban más en levantarse. El muchacho fue despertándolas una tras otra con el cayado, llamando a cada una por su nombre. Siempre creyó que las ovejas eran capaces de entender lo que les decÃa. Por esto solÃa leer para ellas los pasajes de libros que le habÃan impresionado o hablarles de la soledad y de la alegrÃa de un pastor en el campo, o comentarles las últimas novedades que veÃa en las ciudades por donde solÃa pasar.
No obstante, en los ú1timos dos dÃas, el asunto que le preocupaba habÃa sido solamente uno: una muchacha, hija de un comerciante que habitaba en la ciudad adonde iba é1 a llegar dentro de cuatro dÃas. Só1o habÃa estado allà una vez, el año anterior. El comerciante era dueño de una tienda de tejidos y le gustaba siempre ver trasquilar las ovejas en su presencia para evitar falsificaciones. Un amigo suyo le habÃa indicado la tienda y el pastor llevó allá: sus ovejas. Necesito vender algo de lana -dijo el. pastor al comerciante. La tienda del hombre estaba llena, y el comerciante rogó al pastor que esperase hasta el. atardecer. El muchacho se sentó en el pavimento de la tienda, y sacó un libro, de la alforja. No sabÃa que los pastores fuerais capaces de leer libros -dijo una voz femenina a su lado. Era una moza tÃpica de la región de AndalucÃa, con su negra cabellera, y los ojos que recordaban vagamente los antiguos conquistadores moros.
-Es porque las ovejas enseñan más que los libros -respondió el muchacho. Estuvieron conversando más de dos horas. Ella le contó que era hija del comerciante, y hab1ó de la vida en la aldea, donde cada dÃa era igual que el otro. El pastor hab1ó de los campos de AndalucÃa, de las últimas novedades que vio en las ciudades que habÃa visitado. Estaba contento de no tener que conversar siempre con las ovejas. ¿Cómo aprendiste a leer? -preguntó la muchacha en cierto momento. Como todas las demás personas -respondió el muchacho-. En la escuela.
Es un muy buen libro para empezar a leer, simple y sencillo, sin palabras muy complejas, la historia esta bien elaborada, de los libros que he leído de Paulo Coelho me atrevo a decir que es simplemente el mejor.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Author_Chaser
Posted August 1, 2009
This book was highly recommended to me by a very good friend and I decided to read it. It was one of those books that reaches the reader at the perfect time. To me the best impact it had, was that you should never give up your dreams! Very easy reading and with a great ending. Many things that were touched through the book, happened similarly to me while I was reading the book and I was able to absorb each experience. I am glad I followed my friend's advice, even though he did not tell me what the book was about. When I opened the book I bought with him and saw that it was printing #56 and that it had been translated into 56 languages, that gave me a clue that it must be a good book!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 6, 2009
Te envuelve y no puedes dejar de leerlo..... hasta mi hijo adolecente lo leyo y le enkanto
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 15, 2009
Este libro esta escrito con la intencion de que todos sus lectores refleccionen en sus metas y suenos en la vida. Sobre todo habla de la presistencia del personje para alcanzar sus suenos. <BR/>Este libro lo recomiendo a todo el publico en general. Me fascino!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 24, 2008
I really love this book. El Alquimista is a novel that made me think and alalize in my dreams and incurr me to fallow them. You have to read it. It is fantastic!!!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 14, 2012
Lectura sencilla y amena, con una gran enseñanza
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.El mejor libro que he leido! Realmente te inspira a seguir tus suenos! Superrr
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 15, 2008
Amo este libro, te ayuda a conectarte con tu lado espiritual, todos deberian leerlo, el que no entienda el verdadero mensaje de este libro debe volver a leerlo, creeme,, vale la pena..
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Posted January 31, 2008
Es el mejor libro que he leido, se deja leer solo. Un alimento para el alma y el espiritu. Lo recomiendo 100%.
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Posted March 1, 2007
este libro de verdad que te abre los ojos =) es uno de los mejores libros que e leido en toda mi vida... SE LOS RECOMIENDO... =) GRACIAS PAULO COEHLO POR ESTE LIBRO TAN ESPECTACULAR =)
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Posted January 26, 2007
This book was recommended to me by a dear friend. It is excellent. I enjoyed it so much that I bought it for my older sister & mom for christmas. They as well enjoyed it very much. It answers many questions one may have about life.
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Posted September 9, 2006
It is a wonderful book which can guide your life and give you the light one needs to accomplish your personal leyend and feel happy and succesful. I highly recommend to everyone who is a little confused and does not what to do with his life to read this book because it will offer to you the answers for many questions which sometimes human beings cannot find
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Posted April 14, 2006
I like teh book, but the chapters are so little it could be a childs book. The story its not that great, although if you start it you can not put it down.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 14, 2005
The Alchemist June 9, 2005 By: Paulo Coelho Funny, thrilling and breathtaking captures the mood of ¿ The Alchemist¿. Written by Paulo Coelho. ¿The Alchemist sold more then fifty two million copies. The genre of ¿ The Alchemist¿ is fiction and consists of 173 pages. I recommend this book to all ages and all genders. One of the reasons I recommend this book is because it teaches us. The theme of ¿ The Alchemist¿ is to follow your dreams. The plot is when Santiago the main character overcomes challenges in order to obtain his treasure. Santiago is a Shepard boy that leaves his home. A challenge that Santiago faces is that he had to sell his sheep. It is a challenge because his sheep are his best friends. Paulo Coelho uses imagery throughout his book. Imagery is effective in ¿ The Alchemist¿ because it connects you with what is going on in the book. An example of imagery is ¿ The oasis rather then being just a well surrounded by a few palm trees as he had seen once in a geography book- was much larger than many towns back in Spain. There were three hundred wells, fifty thousands date trees, and innumerable colored tents spread among them.¿ This quote describes the oasis and what it contains. There are additional uses of imagery throughout ¿ The Alchemist¿. The overall tone of the book is inspiring. The reason the book is inspiring is the book lectures readers about accomplishing your dreams. Santiago faces hardships such as getting captured by a tribe. ¿ The two horseman had become ten and then a hundred. And then they were everywhere in the dune.¿ This event occurs when Santiago and the alchemist are on their way to obtain the treasure. ¿ The Alchemist¿ is a book for all ages to read. When reading ¿The Alchemist¿ the authors captures the values of life and teaches responsibility in ways that is unordinary ways.
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Posted February 23, 2005
El Alquimista es un libro que nos enseña a que todo en la vida pasa por algo, tenemos que saber luchar y no dejarnos caer facilmente.. tenemos que seguir nuestro sueños por mas tonto que sea...no nos podemos conformar con lo que nada mas esta bien.. tenemos que buscar mas aya de lo normal!
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Posted February 10, 2005
Es mas que solo un buen libro,es una fabula maravillosa,ojala que los que la leimos aprendamos a ver las señales.y a entenderlas,en vez de pasarnos de largo,lo tenemos todo y no lo vemos,y algo que no debemos olvidar.
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Posted December 13, 2004
Es una gran obra de nuestros tiempos, escrita de manera sencilla, pero con una gran profundidad en las metaforas que se plantean, de verdad... lo recomiendo. Un libro para toda la Familia.
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Posted May 8, 2004
Esta es la historia de un joven pastor, que le gustaba conocer y viajar. Sabia todo acerca de las obejas.Dos noches sueña que encontraba un tesoro en las piramides de egipto. El renuncia a sus obejas y emprende un largo viaje para seguir su sueño. En el aprende el lenguaje de la vida y el alma. Este libro es una fabula, que le enseña a uno la importancia de los sueños y a nunca darse por vencido en las metas propias y aspiraciones. La oracio q. mas me gusto fue: cuando uno desea algo, el universo conspira para que realices tu deseo.
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Posted March 22, 2004
Estoy realmente convencida que si quieres algo en esta vida, lo consigues y cuando miras hacia atras, puede ser verdaderamente gratificante. Paolo Coelo describe este sentimiento de manera tan maravillosa, asi que no dudo en acudir una y varias veces al libro. Tus planes, tus metas... eso es lo que te mantiene vivo, pero el autor tambien aborda un asunto muy importante sin el cual las personas no podriamos vivir... el amor.
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Posted January 9, 2004
One of the best books that I ever read in my life
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Overview
Created by teachers and writers, each title in this series provides a complete and thoughtful analysis of several of the most valuable works of world literature. Intended as a starting point for a better understanding and appreciation of literature, each analysis also imparts information about the author, the social and historical background, structure and traditions of literary genres, facts about characters, and a bibliography to encourage further intellectual exploration.
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