I am torn on this ….I thought it was predictable, too idealistic, but at the same time it is a fable. Worth reading because it has potential to impact in a positive way.

“The Alchemist” tells the story of Santiago, a native of Andalusia. He had trained, briefly, for the priesthood though had always been keen to travel. As a result, he left the seminary and – since the only Andalusians who travelled were shepherds – bought some sheep. As the story begins, he has just arrived – aptly enooough – at an abandoned church where he is planning to shelter for the night. That night, for the second time in about a week, he dreams of being taken to the Pyramids by a girl. There, she promises him a hidden treasuer if he comes to the Pyramids when awake. Although he has his dream interpreted in a nearby town, he only decides to follow his dream following a conversation with a man who calims to be the King of Salem.

“The Alchemist” is a very short, pleasant, easily-read book and has a message I’d really love to believe : everyone has a single goal in life (even if we don’t realise it) and that the Earth itself wants us to be happy. Maybe I’ve just become too cynical over the years, but I couldn’t honestly describe it as anything other then fluff – very likeable fluff, admittedly, but utterly detached from reality. The one person who is getting most from this book is Coelho himself : he hasn’t needed to turn lead into gold, he’s made his fortune telling people to chase their dreams and to follow the right omens.

Reading reviews of this, I was expecting something quite brilliant, an epiphany in paper. Maybe I was expecting too much… I rather suspect going in forewarned about this ‘fable’ is the problem – you can’t feel deeply moved by something you’ve been told about, rather than discovered for yourself?

It was still okay. I found it a bit too in-your-face, cramming morals and inspiration into very few pages and thus almost forceably down your throat at times. I was disappointed at the heavy-handed layering of religion over it all.

Still. For commuter bus reading it was ideal, short and simple, and although I read rather than felt the ‘message’, at least I can see what people are going on about here. Not one to pay full price for, though!

this is the story of my life!
sometimes when i start to feel like i am going around in circles, i pick this up off my bedside table (i always keep it there, you never know when you’re going to need a pick-me-upper) and read it yet again to remind myself that sometimes the road to your dream really does take you to places you never thought you’d go, and that even the detours are part of the plan.
a must for every seeker!

I read this book about a year ago. I dont remember details about it but its like a drug and theres a certain afterglow u get afterwards that lasts forever, a peace, a clarity, a better understanding of life and what matters. This is truly a life changing book. I dont think it should be named the best novel by Paulo Coehlo, dont be fooled because the rest of his novels are just as good if not better.

If you haven’t read this yet, don’t wait another day.

After reading the Alchemist I moved to Taiwan to fulfill a dream of mine. I’ve always wanted to live and work in Asia. I followed my heart and lived the most amazing year overseas. Everything was new and exciting! I had the time of my life! This book really did change my life!

I wish I would have read this a long time ago.

light yet very sweet…

Intend to read this book by the end of 2005. Highly recommended by my friends.