Waste of time. Review on The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

I picked up this book in an airport between flights, it's been pretty hyped up and was obviously the most-purchased book from the store. I'm not sure that I can capture my utter disdain for this book in words, but I'll give it a shot. I really disliked this book. Their basic message is that if you want something to happen, you need to want it as hard as you can, without caring about anything else, not allowing yourself to doubt it, or let criticisms will get in the way then it will happen.I disagree with this notion, not only because it is false, but because it is bad.

Just because we desire something, does not make it good. This idea of'following your heart' is often wrong. Who are we to be the arbiters of truth? Why should our hearts be sources of information that go beyond logic, doubt and reasoning? Haven't we all desired things that have turned out to not be in our best interest, or to be harmful to others?

The book was badly written, righteous, condescending, preachy, and worst of all, the ending was morally questionable. All the fables and stories are stolen from elsewhere, religious ideas and spirituality are badly mixed, and everything is so obvious.