The Alchemist
The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho 
Blurb: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—than he ever imagined. Santiago's journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of 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.My ReviewDespite putting this book off for years, thinking it wasn't my kind of thing, I actually ended up really enjoying most of it. I definitely preferred the first half of the book, once he met the alchemist and did things like turning into the wind I started to roll my eyes a bit - not because I don't like fantasy, I do, I just felt like this book was good without all that and focusing on the power of dreams and 'fate' and following your dreams even when it's scary. The style of this book won't appeal to everyone - at first it didn't appeal to me - it's very slow and dreamy, everything is calm, even the scarce action scenes, yet I ended up liking it and being lulled by it, rather than bored which often happens with this type of writing style. I think it helped that this was a very short book, so there really wasn't much time to get bored; if it was a full length novel I could see myself feeling differently.However, I think the main thing I enjoyed about the book was the main character. Santiago, or as he's know throughout the story, the boy, is a character I can relate very strongly to. I think I enjoyed the first part of the book so much because he had feelings that I have felt and am feeling - the desire to travel and explore and experience life, but the fear of leaving behind what you know and are comfortable with. I've moved from England to Tokyo to Hong Kong and will soon be returning to England, yet despite now being used to it, I still feel the same uncertainty every time, wondering if I'm making the right decision and to read about the boy feeling almost exactly the same at a time when I'm wondering if I really want to leave HK, and the life I've built here, really got to me...As I've said, the second half of the book, for me, wasn't as good as the first. I felt like it became a bit too fantasy like and wishy-washy, however, the main issue for me with this book was that there was very little female representation. In fact, if my count is correct, there were only three women in the whole book - one was only talked about, the girl he first wanted to marry, a woman he asks a question in the Oasis and Fatima, who, for all his declarations of love, is represented as second to his dream. Now, I don't think anyone, male or female, should give up their greatest dreams for someone else - couple are supposed to help and support each other and help each other reach their goals - but after having a whole story with only mentions of women, it was a little grating to then have it said that 'love never keeps a man from pursuing his Personal Legend' as if it were a one way street and the woman dreams are nonexistent.Still, despite that main issue, I found this to be an enjoyable, easy read. I know lots of people have conflicting opinions about this one, but personally I enjoyed it for the most part. 
My favourite quotes from 'The Alchemist': ' "... at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That's the world's greatest lie." ' ' "No one can be from many places ... I'm a shepherd, and I have been to many places, but I come from only one place..." ' 'People say strange things, the boy thought. Sometimes it's better to be with the sheep, who don't say anything. And better still to be alone with one's books.''I left my father, my mother, and the town castle behind. They have gotten used to my being away, and so have I.' 'A shepherd may like to travel, but he should never forget about his sheep.' 'It wasn't a strange place; it was a new one.'
Blurb: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—than he ever imagined. Santiago's journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of 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.My ReviewDespite putting this book off for years, thinking it wasn't my kind of thing, I actually ended up really enjoying most of it. I definitely preferred the first half of the book, once he met the alchemist and did things like turning into the wind I started to roll my eyes a bit - not because I don't like fantasy, I do, I just felt like this book was good without all that and focusing on the power of dreams and 'fate' and following your dreams even when it's scary. The style of this book won't appeal to everyone - at first it didn't appeal to me - it's very slow and dreamy, everything is calm, even the scarce action scenes, yet I ended up liking it and being lulled by it, rather than bored which often happens with this type of writing style. I think it helped that this was a very short book, so there really wasn't much time to get bored; if it was a full length novel I could see myself feeling differently.However, I think the main thing I enjoyed about the book was the main character. Santiago, or as he's know throughout the story, the boy, is a character I can relate very strongly to. I think I enjoyed the first part of the book so much because he had feelings that I have felt and am feeling - the desire to travel and explore and experience life, but the fear of leaving behind what you know and are comfortable with. I've moved from England to Tokyo to Hong Kong and will soon be returning to England, yet despite now being used to it, I still feel the same uncertainty every time, wondering if I'm making the right decision and to read about the boy feeling almost exactly the same at a time when I'm wondering if I really want to leave HK, and the life I've built here, really got to me...As I've said, the second half of the book, for me, wasn't as good as the first. I felt like it became a bit too fantasy like and wishy-washy, however, the main issue for me with this book was that there was very little female representation. In fact, if my count is correct, there were only three women in the whole book - one was only talked about, the girl he first wanted to marry, a woman he asks a question in the Oasis and Fatima, who, for all his declarations of love, is represented as second to his dream. Now, I don't think anyone, male or female, should give up their greatest dreams for someone else - couple are supposed to help and support each other and help each other reach their goals - but after having a whole story with only mentions of women, it was a little grating to then have it said that 'love never keeps a man from pursuing his Personal Legend' as if it were a one way street and the woman dreams are nonexistent.Still, despite that main issue, I found this to be an enjoyable, easy read. I know lots of people have conflicting opinions about this one, but personally I enjoyed it for the most part. My favourite quotes from 'The Alchemist': ' "... at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That's the world's greatest lie." ' ' "No one can be from many places ... I'm a shepherd, and I have been to many places, but I come from only one place..." ' 'People say strange things, the boy thought. Sometimes it's better to be with the sheep, who don't say anything. And better still to be alone with one's books.''I left my father, my mother, and the town castle behind. They have gotten used to my being away, and so have I.' 'A shepherd may like to travel, but he should never forget about his sheep.' 'It wasn't a strange place; it was a new one.'
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