I read this for my Senior English class in May 2009 and I loved this book. I feel like I probably read ahead, which I did with all the books I liked, or I was expressly told NOT to read ahead so I didn't, either way, this book introduced me to Paulo Coelho and now that I speak Portuguese, I want to read it in the native tongue. I loved this book, my brother loved it more, but the ending ruined it for me. Like I've said in other reviews, maybe now that I am older and wiser I will appreciate the ending more, but in my class it seemed to be hit or miss honestly. 
 Coelho is phenomenal though, and I follow him everywhere, and love when he writes in Portuguese. This is another I should reread. 
 (Please note: I am going through all of my read books with an attempt to star and review, at some point, all of these books will have a decent review, I promise.)