What are some good reasons for and against reading The Alchemist by Coelho?

One very good reason
for reading this book is that simply so many others have read it and obviously found it useful
and helpful to read. This book concerns a number of key themes that are all based around the
self-improvement of humans and character development, and as a result it is worth reading in
terms of the reader's own development and the lessons that can be learnt from this book. One
example is the theme of fear. Santiago experiences fear in many different guises on his journey:
a fear of loss of wealth by going to Tangier, a childish fear of having his dream interpreted,
and the fear of being killed in the battle at...