The Fifth Mountain: A Novel

This is my favorite Paolo Coehlo book. It's about choices, trusting the Divine, and perseverance. I would recommend this for anyone who has had multiple set-backs in life, or is has been waiting a long time for a dream to come true.

I really enjoyed this book- I have read it twice. It reminds me of Herman Hesse's "Siddhartha" which I also loved. This is strange because one is Christian and the other is Buddhist. The 5th Mountain is a philosophy of life book about a man (the prohphet Elijah) living according to his principles which happen to be from the Judeo-Christian God. But the principles are not so much religious as *life-affirming*...which is of course, a universal concept. The book does not say "believe in God"....no, it is not about miracles or proof of God..it is about Elijah, a simple man, who lived a principled life amongst difficulty and change in the turbulent tribal era BC. I think this is why Coelho left out all the truly hard core religious stuff about transfiguration and heaven. It's not about the existence of God. It's about embracing life and fate. While Christians may get something extra out of the book because it humanizes the remote and rather awe-inspiring people and events of the old-testamanet, some other Christians may gnash their teeth crying that it is not "true" to the old testament and sentimentalizes/fictionalizes the great Elijah. Readers with more open minds will encounter a myth-like story about an simple man who fulfills his destiny against all odds, and becomes great. The author portrays Elijah's struggle with tough events and growing understanding of his humanity in beautiful and accessible prose. Bravo yet again, Paul Coelho.

Another quote which I like:
"It's always necessary to know when a stage of one's life has ended. If you stubbornly cling to it after the need has passed, you lose the joy and meaning of the rest."
A thoughtful book with a few inpiring quotes. A simple story to send the powerful messages. But I wish for a bit more depth and character development.

The writing of Paulo Coehelo inspires one to introspection. Although `The Fifth Mountain' could be digested quickly, I recommend a slower reading. The publisher obliges by cleverly placing bullets throughout the text, allowing one to pause at appropriate moments for reflection.

Despite the trials and tribulations, we must struggle onward to achieve our life's destiny.

While it is hard to denegrade the work of another, in my opinion this work is not at the level of The Alchemist. I didn't find it enlightening or entertaining. To attribute the story to the prophet Elijah appears to be biblical profiteering. There is a curse in the biblical writings concerning the addition or subtraction of text. This book may step over the line. I cannot recommend you spend your money on this book. Even more important, I cannot recommend you spend your time.

Paulo Coelho's books have always assisted me on my life journey. Fifth Mountain is filled with so many lessons about duty, perseverance, overcoming adversity and remembering that during all these things, to err is human and we should never allow your doubt and stumbles to knock us off our path.
"NEVER SURRENDER"

Coelho had a wonderful idea--a fictional account of Elijah to give us more insight into the life of a fabulous and not widely known Old Testament Prophet. Unfortunately, Coelho's execution of the idea is poor. The story is often silly, he attributes to Elijah thoughts that are not in the Old Testament and are often directly at odds with it, but there are gems of wisdom and occasionally good writing. Curiously, the most important part of Elijah's life--his confrontation with the priests of Baal on Mt. Carmel--is avoided entirely and dealt with only by quoting the Old Testament. His death and ascent to heaven, the second most important element of Elijah's life, isn't dealt with at all. This book could have been so good, but unfortunately, it isn't.

The Fifth Mountain is a wonderfully woven tale that focuses on an extract of a life lead by Elijah, the Prophet. A story that travels with his struggles, his endurance, his faith and his love towards God and the ones closest to him. Set amidst ancient times when God and idols were worshipped alike, and wars are constantly fought over land and religion, this is a story that brings forward the clear message of keeping the faith and patience in one true God and then, from there, living God's miracles. It is a good book to read on travels and a delight to absorb in!

Coelho give us a completely different point of view inspired in the Bible. Its a great story about a prophet that learns how to be a prophet. The book is the long way he walked to be first a man of faith and then the great God't spokeman. Very inspirational, shows the way to reach God. Thanks Mr. Paulo!

Paulo Coelho's book The Fifth Mountain will captivate your attention and warm your heart. It is probably my favorite of his books, along with By The River Piedra, I Sat Down and Wept. Coelho's simple yet hauntingly beautiful words will entice you to read all his other books. Let's hope for tons more from this author...I know I'll never get sick of him! The only thing that I don't like is the fact that I can't get some of his books available in English and that it took me forever to get a copy of The Devil and Miss Prym.

Coelho's writing can only be described as Genuis. Hes a natural and will certainly touch your heart, mind, and soul. He inspired and motivated me with every word that he has written throughout the years. Word in a review cannot begin to describe the writing of this brilliant man. All of his books are highly recommended.

Good read, but nothing like Coelho's The Alchemist! I felt the book dragged in parts. The initial flow was great! I enjoyed The Fifth Mountain for its spiritual value and lessons, and I enjoy Coelho's writing style.

I LOVED the Fifth Mountain as much as The Alchemist and The Pilgrimage. This story of prophet Elijah was particularly inspiring and has left quite an impression on me in the months after reading it. While I wonder "why" and "what if" questions in my mind, I am continually reminded of Elijah's struggles and his own quest to understand his larger purpose as Coehlo so artfully portrays it. Coehlo's signature simplicity made this a wonderful, easy read too. Very enjoyable & very highly recommended.

I have read other books under Coelho's authorship. In light of his work, there never seem to be a biased brightness towards joy or bitterness away from sorrows. The both unites through eventful discourse. The reality of Faith must endure, attest the holy journey of Elijah. The fifth mountain retelling a sliver of the Holy Bible is deeply inspirational to His words. A highly repeatable reading indeed.

I have read other books under Coelho's authorship. In light of his work, there never seem to be a biased brightness towards joy or bitterness away from sorrows. The both unites through eventful discourse. The reality of Faith must endure, attest the holy journey of Elijah. The fifth mountain retelling a sliver of the Holy Bible is deeply inspirational to His words. A highly repeatable reading indeed.

"My Silly Awaking" by Paul Solon

after reading Paulo Coelho "Fifth Mountain"

I was off on a retreat, this old English scholarly man was putting on at his place. We had been talking about the pain and noticing. We were in his study with the other guys from the "School of the Light". We were wearing dark blue blazers, a bunch of fine lads. They had history with him and comfort like an old respected professor. He was reading what he called a "silly poem" he wrote.

As I have gone thru my journey

The journey thru the light

I have conquered an Old King and

I have met a Fair Maiden

Or should I say

I have met a Fair King and

I have conquered an Old Maiden

Everyone chuckled...

Well just the same

We sat on the Wall or at the Round Table

We fools

Contemplating the lumps in his land

From the Cannon Fodder or

The Farmers Bolder

Who can say

It was quite neat

He caught me looking at him and me smiling at him as he read.

There it is...(as if still reading the poem)

Then.... there it is....the Light

He slowly moved from his paper towards me locked in his gaze.

It's OK...don't stop....don't fade away....shine...shine on

I am sitting in a chair next to an old sofa.

He moves along the sofa towards me in a warm casual gaze.

The innocent look on his face as if he just discovered the wheel for the first time.

Yes the smile...the smile of the Light

The stuff that is made of....the universe.

He sits on the armrest of the sofa next to me.

I am looking at him with this wide boyish smile I can't control.

The smile flows out of me from ear to ear.

As I notice it I notice every ones eyes upon me.

The universe is upon me...I am being.

I get embarrassed by the attention and interrupted by the noticing.

I start to turn my eye away, downward.

Just then he moves so close.

Whine #1 a very short high pitched squeaky sound thru my nose

He gentle takes my head and pulls me towards his chest.

I go dark into his soft wool sweater.

I feel warm inside.

Whine #2 a more of a catch yourself cry ..a slight scratchy moan inhaling breath

I slowly slouch into him, my arm limp, his arms around me.

I feel warm in deep darkness.

My eyes are moist and my nose is running.

I feel all spent out...like ringing out a wet towel.

Whine #3 a deep....deep cry so deep that I can't even make a sound.

All that comes out is a deep guttural sound that is more from my stomach than my lungs.

So long as if time had stopped.

So deep as if I am passing thru a Black Hole.

The longer, the smoother, the faster, the straighter I move into it's depths.

It's like a wonderful releasing ride where gravity doesn't exist.

The gravity of good and evil.

He pats me on the head and says.

"There...there...Good Boy"

And I am "Accepted"

"I am Blessed"

And I awoke,

I was very disappointed. I wouldn't mind if somebody would take a story from the Bible, create something new and interesting, but this was just not good. Coelho drifted so far away from the story that it totally distorted the character of Elijah as he is known in the Bible. I found this whole romance thing boring and the story line was just weak. What irritated me the most is this whole 'wrestling with God' kinda business. This is not Jacob's story, this is Elijah. I do not recommend this book.

This novel does an admirable job of rendering heroes of Biblical proportion (literally) as down-to-earth people with real fears, dreams, and desires. Coelho's portrayal of Elijah rings true from a physical (and perhaps emotional) perspective, but it loses a little in the spiritual realm. Eventually the book becomes a place for the author to spout cliched gobbledygook about God. Nothing new in that department. All in all however, not a bad read.

Nuevamente, Coelho nos demuestra sin tapujos lo que es su principal interes. Ganar dinero con literatura barata y facilista destinada para dar a oir lo que se quiere oir sin compromiso, con una llanura mental rampante. Lastima de los arboles cortados para hacer el papel en el que se imprimio esta basura.

we follow Elijah threw a spiritual journey he converses with his angels leading him to his destiney where gods will is left behind so Elijah can discover and rebuild his faith all in all I find myself asking qustions and looking in to my own beliefs a truly gifted soul loved the book !!!