"I’m doing what my heart commanded me. My decision of becoming an actress came after reading "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. That book made me see everything. I love that work. I noticed that we all have a personal legend to fulfil, and there is nothing better in the world than to find it. When I found my passion for performing, I was fully satisfied and comfortable. Does this have a meaning? I didn’t enjoy being a documentary maker, now I adore being an actress.
-- Paula Patton, interviewed at NS supplement of Jornal Diario Noticias,
Portugal, December 30, 2006

"There are so many books on my nightstand. One of them is THE ZAHIR by Paulo Coelho...
I love his work, always have. It's so grounded but deals with such heavy topics."
-- Carrie Ann Inaba, judge on ABC’s “Dancing with the stars”, on the
“Christian Science Monitor” when asked what was she reading (2006)

"I love The Alchemist."
-- Oprah Winfrey, while talking about books on her show (2004)

"The Alchemist -- that's me."
-- Will Smith, on press tour for I, Robot (2005)

"The Alchemist forms part of my destiny."
-- Laurence Fisburne, Le Journal du Festival International du Film de Marrakech, December 2004, Morocco

"Among the several books I read this year, the second book that left a good impression on me is Paulo Coelho's Manual of the Warrior of Light. I enjoyed reading Paulo's statement in the book, '"The warrior smiles because nothing frightens him and nothing holds him. With the confidence of one who knows what he wants, he opens the door."
-- A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, President of India, Outlook, India, December 27 th, 2004

"It's like music, really, the way he writes, it's so beautiful. It's a gift that I envy above all others."
-- Julia Roberts, on the documentary "Coelho: The Alchemist of Words",
Discovery Networks / Polo de Imagem, Brazil

"The Alchemist is a beautiful book about magic, dreams and the treasures
we seek elsewhere and then find on our doorstep."
-- Madonna, Sontag Aktuell, Germany

"When I'm on the set with young actors ­ and sometimes you meet people in life who
you feel they are a little confused ­ and they want to be re-centered, there are two books
that I always recommend. One of them is Siddhartha... and the other is The Alchemist.
I've used them in other situations as well when teenage sons or daughters of
friends of mine have a question or two. They are very basic, rich,
philosophical allegories. I always recommend they take
the afternoon off and just read it in one hit."
-- Russell Crowe, on Oprah, US, November 2003

" Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. I reread it at different times in my life and it always held a new meaning for me. It’s a fable that has an underlying spiritual touch to it. It’s a book that takes you through life."
-- Sameera Reddy, Indian actress, asked about her all-time favourite read in an interview
to After Hrs with DNA, India, November 2005

"The most incredible book I’ve ever read is Veronika Decides to Die by Coelho."
-- Sinéad O’Connor, The Irish Sunday Independent, March 2001

"I like Coelho’s most recent novel, Veronika Decides to Die. It really touched me deeply."
-- Umberto Eco, Focus, Germany, January 2000

"Coelho knows the secret of literary Alchemy."
-- Kenzaburö Öe, Nobel Prize of Literature

"My favourite book is Eleven Minutes by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho."
-- Ulises Puiggros (Argentinean presenter and ex-athlete), Fitness Magazine, Sweden,
January 2005

"I read Paulo Coelho’s The Zahir. Earlier I always thought that I have arrived [in target] but now I understood that the journey has not even begun yet ."
-- Toni Wirtanen, singer from the Finnish rock group Apulanta, November 2005

" Paulo Coelho’s The Zahir is a journey to a close place. Very close. Inside."
-- Kata Kärkkäinen, Finnish author and painter, November 2005

"I have been thinking about what is the most important in life. The Zahir is a story about how to find what is most valuable only by loosing it."
-- Laura Malmivaara, Finnish film and theatre actress, November 2005

"I am addicted to Paulo Coelho. The Zahir is a journey we have to do. Paulo Coelho shows the way."
-- Samuli Edelman, Finnish film and theatre actor, November 2005

"Eleven minutes is a book that can change people's lives.
A fantastic and simple story, completely free from unnecessary twists and turns."
-- Stefan Sauk, Actor, Sweden, June 2005

"It is not the first novel I read by Coelho but it is the first time I read a book in which a
man writes putting himself in a woman's shoes. I have been struck by Eleven Minutes,
an existence narrated in the form of a diary. I have been impressed by
Coelho's capacity to dive into the condition of a woman who becomes
a prostitute: he manages very well to perceive and express her fear
and sensations. Really a gentile philosopher."
-- Ian Anderson (singer of Jethro Tull), Musica/La Repubblica, Italy, February 26 th, 2004

"Paulo is my favourite author and I love his new book, Veronika Decides To Die."
-- Miho Nakayama, Japanese Actress, May 2001

"The Alchemist by Coelho is an excellent book. It is simple but gives an insight into
life and is ideal for a long journey by air. You completely forget you are on the plane
when you are reading it."
-- Johannes Mǿllehave (author and theologian), Politiken, Denmark, October 2004

"Veronika Decides to Die is a tribute to life, a story which gives us a renewed opportunity
to take each day as a miracle. I recommend it."
-- Cecilia Bolocco, Chile, May 1999

"I'm reading Eleven Minutes . It's about love and desire and the difference between
wanting someone and actually loving someone. It's really cool."
-- Megan Gale (Australian top model and actress), Who magazine,
Australia, April 19 th, 2004

"Eleven Minutes is the ultimate love story. I read it in three days."
-- Designer Lisbeth Nordahl in Eurowoman, Denmark, March 2004

"[The Alchemist is] a wonderful tale, a metaphor of life."
-- Massimo D’Alema, Former Italian Prime Minister, Il Corriere della Sera, Italy, July 1998

"Coelho, you have become the alchemist for millions of readers. Your books do good because they stimulate our capacity to dream, our desire to search, and to find ourselves through this search."
-- Philippe Douste-Blazy, Former French Minister of Culture, France, April 1996

"I am not a strong reader, but there are few books I do care a lot, such as those of Coelho, The Alchemist, which I have read and reread, and The Manual of the Warrior of Light."
-- Tiziano Ferro, Italian singer, Sette, Italy, January 9 th, 2004

"Which book would you give us a present? It depends on the recipient.
I’ve just read Coelho’s Eleven Minutes and it’s a good book to give to your loved one."
-- Sys Rovsing Koch (Chairman of Danish Association of Lawyers), Berlingske Tidende,
Denmark, December 2004

"Coelho is the favourite writer of sports champions according to a survey in L’Equipe."
-- Le Journal de Dimanche, France, June 1998

"The Alchemist is like a modern-day The Little Prince. A supreme and simple book."
-- Milorad Pavic, author of Jazaro Dictionary, Serbia

"Perhaps we can recognize this book [Veronika Decides to Die] as his most realistic and
meaningful work. Coelho's Veronika Decides to Die is a novel all doctors should read."
-- Dr. Amin Vazirian Dard, Pain Magazine, Iran, November 2000