the alchemist by Paolo Coelho

Well,I think that "The Alchimist" is a kind of a fairy-tale and is not a serious book,though it`s not a lost of time to read it.
I also agree with what Monica wrote.

So, I have finally read The Alchemist...

:yawnb:

Even though I was made aware that it was not a good book, I was still expecting something more worthwhile... I agree with most of the above comments that it comes across like *yet* another sugar-coated, over-optimistic self-help book. Coelho tries too hard both as an author and philosopher and he does owe me couple of KitKats for my determination to read the book (despite being warned by AP and Crisaor)! :p

I had Coelho on my reading list when our TV-magazine gave him a weekly column. After reading some of his texts I decided I wouldn't spend my money on this over-sweet, shallow stuff. It really made me sick. :sick:

I read it in high school and enjoyed it like I'd enjoy a Hugh Grant film, but I don't recall much depth beneath the airy narrative. I think it serves well as an introduction to high schoolers about north African culture, though, and I don't regret reading it.

The truth Paulo Coelho is just the brazilian best-seller dude. And really causing a lot of damage to the literature, because this simplification of themes and language serious, it is a car without fuel.
Anyways, I suspect his translators are really talented because his portuguese is awfull. Also he is guilty of serious plagiarism because he sometimes just copies texts and give no credit.
He also, hence he is shunned by anyone with some critical sense, is claiming to be influented by Jorge Luis Borges and to be able to write "a book as difficult as Joyce" if he wanted. Sure.
It was a new age stuff, it is nowhere what Brazilian literature have to offer. If you can read portuguese and is after an author really related to the philosophical stories with arabian theme go after Malba Tahan, this one a genuine good author and translator of the arabian culture to brazil.

I've read several of his novels. They seem to me a combination of telenovella and some self-help, postive thinking stuff. Nothing amazing.

I got a deal on a Coelho collection, 5 novels for virtually nothing. I forced myself to read them. They were virtually nothing. I never take sugar with my coffee, and I just hate saccharine with literature!