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.