Simple story in the shadow of the Alchemist - Rated 
The story is simple, a girl gets a call from a child hood friend who is now in the seminary, to attend his lecture. She meets him and the bonding gets strengthened, then she comes to know that he has the ability to create miracles and cure people. But he is torn between his love for her and his responsibility towards fellow humans. By the time she decides to support him in his role, he gives up his ability to be with her. So she runs away from him and writes the story sitting in front of the river Piedra. Belief has it that anything thrown into the river Piedra turns into stone and she thinks she can cast away her sorrow.
It would have been better if the story ended there. However he comes back in search of her and promises to be with her and cure people too.
Coelho has a way with words and even his simple sentences are lyrical. But somehow the emotional bonding with characters necessary for a great story is missing in this. May be there is an allegory in the story that is beyond me. The way I understood is, it is the story of a man torn between his responsibility and his love.
That which we deny!!! - Rated 
I've just read it after wanting more of Paulo Coelho since reading the Alchemist... I wasn't disappointed at all.
The trials and tribulation of Pilar was all too real for me. I've just recommended the book to someone who has been the object of my frustration for the last few years and hope that he will be inspired after reading the book and find the courage to make 'it' happen.
All too often we live as what we feel is expected of us and not discover the true essence of our being. We deny the rights of our feelings and lock away our inner most thought lest it overpowers the 'role we have to play', I know it all too well.
I certainly found some comfort in this book knowing that we hold the key to our destiny and unlocking it and facing our fears can change our course of life and living if only we learn to accept and find acceptance in our love.
I certainly will re-read it to indulge in the hidden wisdom of this marvellous spiritual author.
Beautiful and Inspiring - Rated
This book is one of my favourite books of all time. It isn't a masterpiece of literature in the way, for example, Jane Austen could claim her work to be. However, it is a million times more powerful. After reading some other Coelho books, a close friend urged me to read this one, saying it was perfect for me. She was right. This book really helped me to re-evaluate my own relationship and path in my life. It is beautifully written, very moving, and at the time it was appropriate to my life which increased its impact. I would urge anyone who feels insecure in themselves or their relationships to read it, it is perhaps over- spiritual for some people but I would without doubt say that if you are looking for a follow up to the Alchemist or any other Coelho book, this is the right choice.
Elegant and wise - Rated
This is the first Coelho I have read and, boy, do I want to read more! It's just completely gorgeous in every way. The plot is immediately engaging - it tracks one week in the life of the central character Pilar, as she rediscovers a love from her childhood, and Coelho plunges straight into the events of the week. The writing style is elegant and minimalist: a story is being told.
I especially liked how intoxicating the emotions of the lovers are shown to be. I loved the descriptions of their long evenings spent outside, sitting in wonderful silence or talking over big, big feelings, all the while consuming bottles and bottles of red wine. It's so so romantic, all the way through.
This novel shows the simplicity of two people drawn to each other, holding on for each other and waiting for confirmation of the other's love, combined with a very modern pragmatism and awareness of how that love can be realised in the form of a relationship.
The return of the godess - Rated
After reading many of Coelos books I thought I could not be any more impressed than I already was, but this is a truly inspiring love story. Pilar is a woman who's life changes over a week as she learns to flow with life and love, and her lover who is struggling with his religeon's ridgid beliefs and his own views about the feminine face of god. As someone who rejected the same religeon at an early age I found I was able to reclaim the parts of my religeon I belive in while still rejecting those I don't. A must for any Coelho fan, especially women.
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