Aidan Reads reviewed The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Review of 'The Alchemist' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
2.5, It had its inspiring moments but overall was full of farce.
208 pages
Published April 13, 2014 by HarperOne.
The Alchemist
by Paulo Coelho
3 stars
(83 reviews)
Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different, and far more satisfying, listening to our hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, most importantly, to follow our dreams.
Nathan John Cooper reviewed The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Timeless Story
3 stars
There's just something about this story that feels so timeless, classical, and eternal. Everything is so allegorical, metaphorical, symbolic, and polysemic and I can't help but feel this is the kind-of book that should be re-visited serveral times throughout one's life. The only thing that brings it down somewhat, for me, is the occasionally confusing writing style. I'm sure this is most likely my fault and that I wasn't paying enough attention but there was a few times where the author jumped into a past story with little indication. The result of this was an overflow of confusion as to where the characters were and what they were doing.
Taylor reviewed The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Review of 'The Alchemist' on 'Goodreads'
1 star
Surely I'm missing something here, but this short fable felt super contrived and barebones. The characters didn't feel alive, it felt like they were carrying out straightforward actions to drive home a message that feels cliché even for 1988. I think the notion of pursuing something you want relentlessly is a little outdated, as is Fatima's role as "woman who pines for the main character to return".
Ika reviewed The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Review of 'The Alchemist' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
I almost gave up the book halfway, but I'm glad I pushed through. It's a quick morning read, but I'm sure it can be influential to someone reading this at a transitional point in their life.
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The book is a fable, and it does introduce the reader to some level of philosophy. However, I am disappointed that it did not dig deeper into the human experience. I found many of the "philosophy" largely pretentious due to the way they were presented at face-value.
Love was a central theme to the protagonist's motivation, but the way in which love was presented in the book was at best, shallow and uninspired; and at worst, downright misogynist. It was a shame that the women presented in the book had no personality and life beyond their interactions with the male protagonist. Dialogues were unrealistic all throughout.
What compelled me most about the book, …
I almost gave up the book halfway, but I'm glad I pushed through. It's a quick morning read, but I'm sure it can be influential to someone reading this at a transitional point in their life.
##
The book is a fable, and it does introduce the reader to some level of philosophy. However, I am disappointed that it did not dig deeper into the human experience. I found many of the "philosophy" largely pretentious due to the way they were presented at face-value.
Love was a central theme to the protagonist's motivation, but the way in which love was presented in the book was at best, shallow and uninspired; and at worst, downright misogynist. It was a shame that the women presented in the book had no personality and life beyond their interactions with the male protagonist. Dialogues were unrealistic all throughout.
What compelled me most about the book, however, is its commentary on the relationship of man and nature. The powerful imagery towards the end has, in some way, made up for some of the book's shortcomings. It left me to wonder on some things.
It's bad, but not that bad, I'll say. I can see how different people can derive different insights after reading The Alchemist. And due to that, perhaps, it's worth the hype. Even though it's not a good book in the literal sense, its value is in its potential to inspire someone to chase their dreams and aspirations.
jvt038 reviewed The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Review of 'The Alchemist' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
My heart and I have conversed a bit, and we agree on one thing: This book is peculiar, yet inspiring and annoying.
The Alchemist tells a remarkable story of a boy who is "an adventurer, looking for a treasure".
It's inspriring, the idea of having a "personal legend", and being encouraged by omens who will lead you to your own treasure.
The various characters whom the boy met, were well written, and had an interesting background story.
I genuinely recommend this book to anyone. It sets the framework for personal success, for good leadership, and for having faith in the omens.
However, it's a bit superstitious as well; the idea of omens, sent by some all mighty deity / God, doesn't fit in my lane of atheism, and I have difficulty believing such things.
Phrases like "when you really want something, the whole universe conspires in helping you to achieve …
My heart and I have conversed a bit, and we agree on one thing: This book is peculiar, yet inspiring and annoying.
The Alchemist tells a remarkable story of a boy who is "an adventurer, looking for a treasure".
It's inspriring, the idea of having a "personal legend", and being encouraged by omens who will lead you to your own treasure.
The various characters whom the boy met, were well written, and had an interesting background story.
I genuinely recommend this book to anyone. It sets the framework for personal success, for good leadership, and for having faith in the omens.
However, it's a bit superstitious as well; the idea of omens, sent by some all mighty deity / God, doesn't fit in my lane of atheism, and I have difficulty believing such things.
Phrases like "when you really want something, the whole universe conspires in helping you to achieve it", are a bit too much for me, since I'm not into these kind of overly dramatic and superstitious ideas.
Despite this, it's up to the reader to interpret the story, and to interpret the various events that take place, and even without the superstitious elements, it still makes for a very good story. And it still has some genuinely good life advice for anyone.
npchampion reviewed The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Review of 'The Alchemist' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Pretty short book. It was an interesting read with some pretty obvious metaphors woven in throughout. I wouldn't say it's worth all the hype it gets, but it is worth the money.
Slow_Lee reviewed The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Review of 'The Alchemist' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
A fascinating story about finding meaning in life and opening your heart to the beauty of the world. It’s a short but inspiring book I think everyone should read at least once in their life.
Matto reviewed The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Review of 'The Alchemist' on 'GoodReads'
4 stars
A small treasure, this book.
acaleyn reviewed The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Review of 'The Alchemist' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
This wasn't bad, but the whole time I was reading this, I felt taught - and that is my least favorite feeling when reading fiction. If I want a book to teach me something outright, I'd like it to be nonfiction, thanks.
protomattr reviewed The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Review of 'The Alchemist' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
A delightful dream of a book, beautifully and simply written, urging the reader not to give up on his dreams, via a magical quest through the desert. I enjoyed the theme of cultivating a deep understanding of the Universe in order to develop intuition and fully appreciate your fellow beings. I found it hard to put this book down. As a result, I felt I read it too fast. But I suspect I might read it again. And again.
