The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

[Scheherazade]

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

I have read The Alchemist against the advice of some of my Forum friends (sorry, Crisaor and AP) because it is one of the books listed in Big Read. I should have known better.

Santiago, a young shepherd, leaves his home to go to Egypt to find a buried treasure after having a dream about it. During his journey, he meets unusual people and learns a lot about the world and himself. He becomes rich, powerful and falls in love but at the end, he realises that he needs to follow his dreams to be able to find peace and contentment.

This might be classified as a 'feel-good' book but it is so full of cliches that it simply leaves the reader (me, in this case) feeling bored and worse. Both the story line and language lack originality and are banal.

It was said on the book cover that it would "change people's lives". The only way, I believe, this book could change people's lives would be by putting them off reading for the rest of their lives.

2/10 KitKats!

[Lote-Tree]

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

I have read The Alchemist against the advice of some of my Forum friends (sorry, Crisaor and AP) because it is one of the books listed in Big Read. I should have known better.

Santiago, a young shepherd, leaves his home to go to Egypt to find a buried treasure after having a dream about it. During his journey, he meets unusual people and learns a lot about the world and himself. He becomes rich, powerful and falls in love but at the end, he realises that he needs to follow his dreams to be able to find peace and contentment.

This might be classified as a 'feel-good' book but it is so full of cliches that it simply leaves the reader (me, in this case) feeling bored and worse. Both the story line and language lack originality and banal. It was said on the book cover that it would "change people's lives". The only way, I believe, this book could change people's lives would be by putting them off reading for the rest of their lives.

2/10 KitKats!

The book is trash. It misses the point that Love is everything and rest is egotism! It is neither intellecutal or profoundly emotional. It is something that anyone could have written including myself!

[Nossa]

I've just finished reading this book last night..and I agree, the book is good for a five year old or so. I felt, throughout the entire book, that I've been simply lectured. I mean, if you wanna tell people words of advice, don't just go ahead and put it in a silly context!! And all the crap about The Soul of The World and these things...this book is a waste of money and time if you ask me.
And I agree with Lote, I can write a book like that, when I feel bored. It reminded me of the childish fairy tales they used to tell us before we go to bed. Even those are more amusing.

[manolia]

I hated the book
On second thoughts i have read at least 4 Coehlo books and i didn't like any of them

[Lote-Tree]

I hated the book
On second thoughts i have read at least 4 Coehlo book and i didn't like any of them

I think Alchemist is enough for me!!!!

[manolia]

Yeah, you think well. I thought giving him a second, third, fourth chance (since i know many people who like his books)..but i guess his style of writing doesn't appeal to me .

[Virgil]

It is simple. I don't see how it became so popular. But I guess certain things just click with people. I would give it a 4/10. I like feel good stories.

[Nossa]

I don't think it's 'popular', I think that only its selling rates were good. I bet all the people who read this book and hated it, just got the impression that it's a great book, cuz of its status in the bestseller category.
I agree that The Alchemist is enough Coelho for one person. I heard people saying that they read it once and twice and even thrice, and it's just amazing that someone can bear up with such a boring book.

[Mark F.]

I hated it. It's a lame attempt at a philosophic tale. A friend offered me the book, saying it changed his life. Never figured that one out, heh.

[JCamilo]

I know why. And I must say that everyone is luck that you read translated copies because Paulo Coelho portuguese is ridiculous. If you ever want to read anything from Brazilian literature please get some Guimaraes Rosa, Carlos Drummond, Malba Tahan, Cecilia Meireles, Graciliano Ramos, Machado de Assis, Gonçalves Dias, Castro Alves, Jose de Alencar, Nelson Rodrigues, Jose Lins do Rego, Rachel de Queiroz... they do not shame the brazilian literature like this pretencious writer and mage...
Anyways, it is popular because it is self-help. Made to be forgotten. you feel good, you smile, you forgot it. It is like a lolipop. Leveling down the literature just like the rest of the best-sellers culture does. And I have the theory that the translators have improved his work also...

Anyways, once, this Paulo Coelho to protect himself from the critics that his work have no big literary merit said "I could do complicated books like Joyce if I wanted, I just don't"... Some say, better hear this than be deaf. Then I remember Homer was supposed to be blind, so I better be deaf.

[Nossa]

Actually, it's the part concerning the 'feel good' is what I'm wondering about. I didn't feel anything, except for boredom. This book, however, has ONE good side...it can help you pretty well on a night when you can't sleep.

[manolia]

And I have the theory that the translators have improved his work also...

This book, however, has ONE good side...it can help you pretty well on a night when you can't sleep.

Indeed! I have read it on a sleepless night

[Virgil]

Perhaps I was being too generous with 4/10.

[Nossa]

You ARE Virgil. I'd give it like a half out of ten...for the ink and the papers it's published on!

[vheissu]

I tried reading the Alchemist a few years back, but it's one of those books that I couldn't see the point in finishing....and I couldn't understand why so many people were buying it and praising it for being a novelty!