The Pilgrimage: A Contemporary Quest for Ancient Wisdom
by Paulo Coelho (Goodreads author!)
|
|
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
discuss this book
| topics | replies | views | last activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paulo Coelho gives his readers the possibility of reading all of his books online! | 1 | 5 | 03/14/2008 12:59AM |
| Paulo Coelho gives his readers the possibility of reading all of his books online! | 1 | 2 | 03/14/2008 12:59AM |
| Paulo Coelho Group | 1 | 3 | 10/23/2007 04:03AM |
groups with this book
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
lists with this book
Where's the love? Add this book to your favorite list.
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 1311)
Read in March, 2008
This is the 4th Paulo Coelho book I've read, and my least favorite so far. Not that there's anything wrong with it, per se, but I can definitely see his evolution as a writer from this, his 1st, and The Witch of Portobello, his most recent and one of my faves.
For me, this book was slower, less relatable (if only because very few people are on this kind of a mystical quest) and just less smoothly written overall. I also had a hard time sympathizing with the protagonist.
Now, that's not to ...more
For me, this book was slower, less relatable (if only because very few people are on this kind of a mystical quest) and just less smoothly written overall. I also had a hard time sympathizing with the protagonist.
Now, that's not to ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in July, 2007
It was kind of a wierd read. It's a book about his pilgrimage to Santiago in Spain. He has some really wierd experiences, and he believes some pretty far out things--that is, if those parts are not fictitious. I don't think they are. At one point, he and his guide are convinced that a certain dog is an embodiment of Paulo's demon. So at one point, he feels he actually has to physically fight the dog to defeat it. He also believes that he can move things with his mind and predict the future. That...more
Like this review?
yes
1 comments
Read in April, 2008
I enjoy every book by Paulo Cuelho that I've read (5 to date) and this one, his first, has touched me in tha same way the Alchemist did. Perhaps it's the common theme of searchig for a way a path a meaning and th efact that I can empathise strongly with the sentiment. The mysticism in some of the events of the journey, with hindsight, are a bit too far of a step for me personally but the whole journey of the pilgimage to Santiago and the learning and growth acheived by the author do strike a ch...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2008
This was a really slow read for me. I had difficulty staying focused and found myself going back over paragraphs because I had not really read them. But at the end I feel like I just don't get it. I would call this a modern-day parable-just not what I would want in a parable. At the end of the book he finds his sword, but keeps the purpose a secret. And the journey is so confusing. Often the lessons he learns are conflicting. I felt that the author had some interesting, thought-provoking i...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2007
A friend recommended and allowed me to borrow this book after having read The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield. I had heard good things about another book by Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist, so I was pretty excited to read it. And wasn...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
philosophy majors
I really hated this book. In fact, it is the second worst book I've ever read (first being the Voyage of Somebody the Sailor). The story made no sense, and key parts of it were left unexplained (what is RAM? what is The Tradition?). I suppose you might get some philosophical value from it, but I didn't really think any of it was earth-shattering or even worth a raised eyebrow. The only redeeming quality was that it was short and went quickly.
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
Read in August, 2008
recommended to Jacqueline by:
Karenrecommends it for: Anyone looking to "fight the good fight."
The Pilgrimage is a morally refreshing book. It brought back to me some of the moral strength and grounding of old adventure books such as The Count of Monte Cristo and what is better is that it is based on truth. The morals are not really tied into religion, although there are references. It is both simple and yet very complex. There are exercises in almost every chapter that help you experience some of the transformation for yourself that the main character (the author) went through in search ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
everyone who needs encourage to persist
I fell in love with Coelho when i read The Flowing River thanks to a friend's recommendation. This Brazilian has a way with words, even if he's writing in Spanish and the books are translated into English.
The Pilgrimage talks about his journey on the road to Santiago. there were many challenges and hiccups but he persisted, sometimes less willingly.
It reminded me of being persistent and standing firm in our pursuits/quest. The goal is just a step away from being reached. don't give up ...more
The Pilgrimage talks about his journey on the road to Santiago. there were many challenges and hiccups but he persisted, sometimes less willingly.
It reminded me of being persistent and standing firm in our pursuits/quest. The goal is just a step away from being reached. don't give up ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2007
The student of the ancient order of RAM, nearing what he believes is the end of his trials, and will thereby receive his sword is deemed as yet unworthy. He is told he must walk the road to Santiago de Compostella, Spain. On this road he meets a variety of characters and undergo a new-to-him, but age old series of trials that force him to realize that his pursuit is not one that avails itself to only the intellectual, but to all. That the destination alone matters not, but the purpose of the des...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in January, 2008
I got this book for Christmas and I read it right away. I guess I had time. It was easy to read -- a quick read, but based on my religious beliefs I did disagree with some ideas in the book. But it was interesting, so I had to finish the book.
This is one of those books where it has exercises that the main character has to do to reach a new level of understanding or spirituality. I couldn't bring myself to do the exercises but I imagine they are described so as to make them available to the ...more
This is one of those books where it has exercises that the main character has to do to reach a new level of understanding or spirituality. I couldn't bring myself to do the exercises but I imagine they are described so as to make them available to the ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in November, 2004
Coelho's books were recommended to me by a good friend. Each time I have went to go get a book of his I ask her what she thinks would be a good one to read next.
I liked The Pilgrimage because of again the spiritual journey Coelho takes us (the reader) on. The journey for me was important for me - at this point - in my spiritual journey. Some tasks he does on his journey -- I have done and they helped me.
The journey of the simplicity of life...awareness of life.
I liked The Pilgrimage because of again the spiritual journey Coelho takes us (the reader) on. The journey for me was important for me - at this point - in my spiritual journey. Some tasks he does on his journey -- I have done and they helped me.
The journey of the simplicity of life...awareness of life.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in January, 2007
recommended to Chloewiley by:
Amanda Callaisrecommends it for: all
Man o Man....this book is another classic from Coelho. He has to be one of my favorite authors of all time. Very inspiring and enlightening. One of those quotable/deep life thoughts books.
"The good fight is the one we fight because our heart asks us to."- The Pilgrimage
I lost my highlighted copy somewhere in the many moves of my day. I bought a new copy in Spain this summer- hopefully I will get around to reading it soon and re-highlighting my favorite parts.
"The good fight is the one we fight because our heart asks us to."- The Pilgrimage
I lost my highlighted copy somewhere in the many moves of my day. I bought a new copy in Spain this summer- hopefully I will get around to reading it soon and re-highlighting my favorite parts.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2006
this book holds a particularly special meaning for me. in fact, i find it much more poignant than Coelho's "Alchemist". Why? He wrote the Pilgrimage before the Alchemist (if I am not wrong) and I find the story more raw and 'tentative' if you'd have it, than the mystical polished-gleam of the alchemist.
it deeply questioned my direction and purpose, and also my journey. or "the good fight" as it is referred to in this book, as quoted from the Bible several times.
it deeply questioned my direction and purpose, and also my journey. or "the good fight" as it is referred to in this book, as quoted from the Bible several times.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2008
This one of the best books i have read so far. Paulo's description of the places, experience and emotions which he went through during his journey was vivid. I can almost feel myself alongside him on the journey. I wonder if I am right right to say that the message Paulo is trying to convey is that the physical journey can be likened to the journey of life itself. And one can achieve one's greatness by paying attention and seeking one's meaning of life.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2006
recommends it for:
Coehlo lovers
I read this after the Alchemist, and although I did like it, is my least favorite of all his books. Does make me want to do a Camino De Santiago myself. I guess it was too "out there" in terms of metaphysical ideas, but it still has some great daily living advice that you can take from it, well written as always, and like I said, now I will plan a long spiritual (not Religious) pilgrimage myself in Spain...
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
everyone
In this book we follow the main character on his way along a pilgrimage road in Spain. He is constantly tested by his pilgrimage guide, who tries to teach him the meaning of life. Which is that the truth always is found in the simple explations and that everyone can "see" it regardless of education, nationality etc. It is a well-written book that makes you think, but it is a bit weird from times to times.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
this author made an initial statement with "the alchemist" and for me has become less and less interesting. i read this book and enjoyed parts of it, but it's tedious for such a simple story. it lacks the simple direct charm of "the alchemist" and begins to become a little pretentious about being a cool meaningful story...which for me is characteristic of his other work.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in July, 2008
Well... it is not the Alchemist.
Coelho novles tend to read well and it is a nice story, I found The Pilgrimage to be too "new-agey" in it world view. This is not an allegorical tale, but a sort of fictional memoir complete with a description on how to perform various spiritual rituals.
It is worth the read (will not take you too long) but don't expect too much.
Coelho novles tend to read well and it is a nice story, I found The Pilgrimage to be too "new-agey" in it world view. This is not an allegorical tale, but a sort of fictional memoir complete with a description on how to perform various spiritual rituals.
It is worth the read (will not take you too long) but don't expect too much.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
..but for the one concept of one manifestation of love as enthusiasm; and the lack of it almost a sin. But guess our own philosophy says that better; so also what i thought was a twisted version of the concept of destroying / finishing the self in the most supreme state of love. Twisted version of what i see as THE concept - the sufi concept of absolute self-negation.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2008
recommended to Andi by:
Kristirecommends it for: those who follow Oprah's picks
I am currently reading this book and have a feeling I will not finish it. I dont like the story - it's just not for me. It might be for others though.
I was lent this book - thank goodness I didnt purchase. I will be returning it to its rightful owner soon. She didnt really recommend the book - she just said she had more Coelho books and lent this one to me.
I was lent this book - thank goodness I didnt purchase. I will be returning it to its rightful owner soon. She didnt really recommend the book - she just said she had more Coelho books and lent this one to me.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
