The Fifth Mountain (1998)

Good book. Engaging story. Insightful in the way that fables and parables can be. ( )

Thought provoking with respect to reflection and progress regarding the experiences of Elijah.

The biblical Elija with all his human frailties and inner turmoils develops strength and faith, conquering more than most of us have to deal with in life (control, love, death, genocide). Living through Elija's eyes and thoughts bring inspiration to any on the path to personal and spiritual unfoldment.

"Para personas que buscan respuestas de la vida" ese fue el comentario acerca de este libro que dio una imbécil que tengo por catédratica, insisto en que este autor y sus obras tienen mas un valor comercial que literario, ya que sus obras no comprenden un trabajo arduo ni elaborado, sino muy sencillo y sin mucho chiste. Ojala y ya paren en la U con que nos atoremos cualquier pendejada que ellos llamen "Literatura" ( )

Okay, I'll be honest with you. I don't really know the biblical story of Elijah. Like, at all. But, I had read and appreciatedThe Alchemist, biblical fiction is right up my alley, even if I don't know the basis, and I had picked this book up twice now (once on the $2 clearance shelf, and once at Book Bums - a coffee shop/lending library in Olde West Chester), so I figured it was time to read it.

And, wow.

Maybe once a year, I find a book that hits all the right chords of prose. Once every couple of years, I finish a book, close it, and hold it to my chest, hoping a bit more of the seamless goodness will make its way to my heart through osmosis.

No, this is not a book for all audiences, but it is one that I would have trouble NOT recommending to someone. Even if you are not a believer in one higher power (be it a trinity or a solo figure), this is a book that helps to define what it is that makes a human being a great one: the ability to challenge himself and the powers acting in his life; the ability to learn to love and to lose; the ability to set your own goals, even when no success has come your way in quite sometime.

So many have deemed The Alchemist a life-changing novel. This is Coelho's masterpiece for me... at least of the ones I've read so far, and I will certainly be looking to complete my collection. ( )