The Alchemist question

Hooray, I'm not alone! Didn't do it for me either.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but it just plain sucked.

I felt the same way--in one ear and out the other! I wonder why so many people loved it. I guess, ultimately, we want to believe there is a REASON for suffering. There usually isn't.

Kirsten wrote: "I'm a very spiritual person, but I have to admit this book kinda went in one ear and out the other. At least I can say I've read it."

same here. eventhough i dont admit myself as a spiritual person really

It was simple yeah, it was so easy to connect the events yes.... but for me it was interesting, some how I enjoyed reading even if it was a simple fiction, but deep inside I felt that may be we had the same desires, the same goals, and we should follow them.

I was loaned this book a couple of years ago, surprised myself by finishing it. Why I'll never know. Do people actually enjoy this kind of book or do they pretend that they do?

YES, finally, I thought I was the only one, I honestly can say he could have saved me the trouble of a long boring story and sum it up on one line! This book is the best example on not trusting the (most read) books.

Kirsten wrote: "I'm a very spiritual person, but I have to admit this book kinda went in one ear and out the other. At least I can say I've read it."

EXACTLY

I kind of feel the same way. I remember enjoying most of the book, but the end was a let down. From what I remember, I felt that the author set me up for an ending that was going to have this awe-inspiring epiphany, but that didnt happen. Instead, I got an ok ending that left me wanting for something bigger

Aw, I'm sad so many people didn't enjoy this book! it's one of my all time favorites! :)

What's amazing is that he gets such a following of fans despite his literary shallowness. Probably the dumbed down masses find it just their cup of tea

I couldn't stand this book, I think it's his worst! Although I actually liked one or two others by this author, there's still an air of condescension in his tone that irritates. I'm glad I found this discussion, I thought I was the only one who disliked this book so.

Just given this book as a present.

I think possibly the book lost a lot when it was converted to English. For me, I didn't like it or enjoy it, but when I finished it was strange, I felt happy and I didn't know why ..

after completing the book i remembered a saying by MARK TWAIN--when you are in majority, start doubting... i don't know what is wrong with so many people or perhaps with me...it's is an ordinary book that has got nothing to offer

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way about the book. It was hard work reading it the whole way through. I was ready to give up but I like to think positive so plodded along hoping something in the book would inspire me. I really thought something magnificent would happen in the last few pages, but No! Total waste of time and this book was on the top of my Christmas present list this year!:( Santa, I would like an exchange or a credit note please:)

It's housewife philosophy for people who haven't thought about life.

I received this book as a gift from my father. He had gone to a book fair and was told by many that it was "amazing" and "life-changing". My first reaction when he handed it to me was one of confusion. It didn't seem like something I would enjoy. Nevertheless, I gave it a chance and read through the whole thing. It failed to move me at all. The writing was undeniably terrible, the plot was boring and the protagonist was undeveloped. Dare I say that the novel itself is a cliché cover to cover? If any of you want to read a novel that will feed your spirituality, I suggest The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson. It has everything The Alchemist doesn't and much more.

I was impressed.I think it depends upon when you read it?-at which stage of your life?
At the time When you have energy and want to rebel against everything or at late stage of life when you have memories more than dream???Its a relative thing.

It's spritual motivational book.It teached me a lot of things.I think it is a must read book.

I would rather watch paint dry.

The gist was good, 'go see the world'.
He could have written a shorter version then so many pages. No doubt the reader is indeed glued to the story to know where and when and how much wealth he is going to find.
Its just not all about spending your life earning money, you go meet people and see the beautiful world.

I read the book when I was very young and it made a huge impact on me. I've read it twice more and although it hasn't had the impact it provided the first time, I always found something new that would resonate on my personal journey. Yes, it isn't the greatest piece of literature, but the book has awakened millions of people to pursue a path of spirituality and consciousness. Also, Coelho writes with simplicity, and that's what has made him a catalyst for positive change. He's not saying anything new; he is merely using the wisdom of the ages, wisdom known to man for millennia, and creating a story most people can understand. And that, I have to compliment.
Xavier Saer
http://www.goodreads.com/xaviersaer

All I know is that Will Smith is in love with it.


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Well, it's a relief I'm not the only one. At times, I felt as though I was in the dentist's chair.

I have to say, though, he did deliver in the end.

Worth it? Hmmmmm . . .

I loved this book and its message i.e. the treasure may be in your own back yard but you need to travel a long way before you find it. It's a message that I reflect on many times as I observe the lives of others with the knowledge I've gleaned from my own journey to find the treasure in my own back yard. I'm very glad Paulo Coelho wrote it.

i heard that it's an amazing book , so i was so excited to read it . but honestly it was " boring " and i was so disappointed with it .

Like most of you in this thread, I was totally unimpressed with Alchemist. Coelho is still an author to recognise, though. 11 Minutes is a better read. I really wonder how much of it inspired the 50-Shaders. Warrior of Light is probably the author's best work, and considering that it's a collection of notes he jotted down over a period of time, the book felt a lot more mature for those seeking spiritual Whatevers.

Typical Paulo if you ask me.
Interesting line of thought that spreads throughout the entire novel, but the ending is worse than my drunk uncle in a family gathering.

Yet in general it's not that bad. Even though I have no idea why people think it's his best work because i think it's the worst one of them.

I'm really glad to see I'm not the only one!!

Kirsten wrote: "I'm a very spiritual person, but I have to admit this book kinda went in one ear and out the other. At least I can say I've read it."

Paulo Coelho is a famous and beloved writer whose ideas influence so many people all over the world. His ideas are very important specially because there are millions of people who believe in them and influence their life. That is why his books are translated and read by people of all nations on earth.
However, those ideas are so selfish and ego-centered that makes a man with similar characteristics, while build walls between people and takes it out of the society. He supports the competition and fighting, instead of cooperation and peace. He is fan of the “warrior of the light” and believes in alchemy and life elixir. All his books are full of miracles and magic and of fantastic symbols.
So, let's have a dialogue with him and his ideas. As he proposed to those who criticize his books, write a book instead, I listen to him and do so. A book opposite to each book of his, are written by me and have begun to be published as e-books and as hard copies.
Now you have a dialog (from the Greek word “διά-λογος”) in front of you, to read, evaluate and implement in your life. This is a dialogue which is present for the first time ever. Take advantage of it, come to your conclusions and stop believe blind what you read every time. See more on our FB page @Beyond Paulo Coelho

I didn't hate it, but I wasn't impressed. I didn't feel like it was groundbreaking or inspirational. It felt superficial and forced to me.

It took a while for me to finish it because I got bored with it. While I was reading it I would start thinking about what I was going to read next. Maybe you have to be in a position where you can relate to truly enjoy it...I don't know.

Wow!! It's so interesting to see opinions on why people dislike and even hate the book, and see how they're extremely different with what and how you feel about it.. that's why I enjoy the variety and difference since it helps to see things objectively :)

To me it is a great inspiring and uplifting one (well I know you'll prob rolling your eyes reading this! lol). Maybe because firstly I didn't set and expect anything in mind before reading it. Instead, I was just blank my mind, and go go go with every pages.. I think it's important to see things from its own perspective to understand the message and even the beauty of them. Give your full attention and readiness, then you'll find the joy and points of the whole story.

Secondly, I agree with opinions saying that you might need to be in a certain mental and mood condition when reading it. Not saying that you have to wait forever to read this..but when you read it as you're in a certain of life phase, you'll probably find it very uplifting with so many inspiring awakening and moving lines/paragraph there..like what I experienced myself. I found so many lines were like, "omg, i often feel that way", "exactly! that's what have been bothering me", "oh wow! finally i found the answer of what I've been wondering and thinking of"..etc.

Cliched. Immature. Appeals only to those who read sporadically. Saying that this book is about spirituality is an under-rating spirituality itself. The views expressed in this book remind of mine when I was 10.

it was crap

I have read several books by Paolo Coelho some years ago,
starting with the Alchemist.
Maybe it was the greek translation, but I cannot say that I liked a single one of this author.
I was so unimpressed...
Complete waste of time and money, in my opinion.

Life is too short to read coelho, u know :)

MEEEEEE! Totally boring and bland.

I wasn't impressed at all, really couldn't figure out what was the hype all about, kept waiting for a magical twist of events that never came.
but can't say I hate all of Coelho's work there are other works that I rather enjoyed

For me this book was so boring I dont even remember the plot/story/whatever

I loved it when I was younger (14 years old or something) but as I grew up and read more books, especially Coehlo's book I started to abhor his style.

I don't read Coehlo anymore, but it was a good reading at the time.

Summarising preferences in terms of arts are very subjetive, it may vary depending on the context in which you experience it.

I couldn't agree more.

No..i wanted to, i tried to. It was indeed 'spiritual popcorn' It has some pearls of wisdom, stuffed with a lot nonsens.
If you want to read the story of an 'spiritual', 'esotheric' journey.. read Meetings with Remarkable Men from G. I. Gurdjieff

Or better, read the whole All and Everything series.

Predictable, dull, money making crap.

I thought it was terrible. It was predicable yet outlandish. It was far too ridiculously cheesy for my liking.

Like many people here I heard the Alchemist was good so read it. But I was disappointed. I found it a real struggle to keep reading. There was no real conflict or tension, no sense that the character was in any real danger or that there was anything at stake - all things you need for good storytelling. It felt like a badly written children's book. I wondered if it was just this book. Perhaps I'll try some of his others and see if they're similar.

Me

And I thought I was the only one! Thank you!

Kirsten wrote: "I'm a very spiritual person, but I have to admit this book kinda went in one ear and out the other. At least I can say I've read it."

I also had same feeling like you, for me book like "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" is better than this book.

one of the most overrated novels i have ever read.... i really regret wasting my money and time on it

I didn't like it although many people are fascinated with it but i liked how it ended

I agree with Kirsten,...... and I am not reading Paolo Coelho again!