The Alchemist question

To tell you the truth, I read it about five years ago and don't exactly remember how the story goes. Usually, that happens with books and films that aren't among my favorites, nor am I impressed by-I tend to forget them easily.

ME!!! (raises hand) I did not like this book. I really really wanted to. I was hoping that Id find some wisdom, or some secret to life in this book but I did not. It is way overrated imo.

I agree. It was simple, lackluster even. The plot was weak, and there were no profound moments. It was a major disappoinment compared to "The Diary of a Magus," which is the book that drew me to Coehlo in the first place.

I agree completely! When I read the book I thought it added nothing and was plain common sense. I would, however, stress that for the ones that read a translation of the book (since the original is Portuguese)that it might not reflect the quality of the Author's writing. Books written in Portuguese, specially Brazilian Portuguese, are very hard to translate.

i loved it

I read the Alchemist because it was recommended to me by people that I was close to at the time. I get where the author is coming from, but it never really 'clicked' for me at a personal level.

I did not like any of his books, not sure why I read them. Probably because my Russian teacher ( I was trying to improve my rusty Russian) , a rather pretentious younger woman kept telling me what a genius Coelho is.
Well, I disagree. I felt his books are a conspiracy of pretending that the author and the reader are " Oh so clever!". Veronika Decides to Die was bearable, The ALchemist in my opinion was pretty awful.
But lot;s of people like him, so maybe he is useful for some!

When I saw the cover of this book with high rating and huge positive feedback, I was compelled to buy it as the cover was fascinating and it was about achieving our dreams. I flipped pages and read cover to cover but nothing excited me as much, I am sure his other books are better, but I must point to the fact that all his books have deep inspiring quotes in simple language, this one had one great quote, that is "If you really desire something from your heart, the entire universe conspires to help you achieve it" , I think the core reason of such wonderful quote in this book and the synopsis with the tipping point method got this book going. But for me it did nothing, yet I do like Paulo Coelho.

I don't get it what's the hype about this book.
It talks about spiritually but I am not convinced what the author is trying to prove.

Very boring! I just felt the pressure to read because it is such a philosophical-must-read but i was more than disappointed. There is no interesting story to deliver the moral or the philosophical message, only an accumulation of repeated and evident quotes.

Although I am not his greatest fan, I know people whom his books have helped overcome certain crisis. So, even though uplifting, spiritual books are not my favorite, I respect them even if they help someone feel better.

I enjoyed when the Alchemist was introduced, the love that Santiago felt for Fatima and the struggles that he faced through the story. At the same time there were a lot of parts in the book that I found boring.
Overall, this isn't one of the books that I would read more than once.

And to think, this book shows up on the high school recommended reading list in our area. I mean, really?! I, too, am not "spiritual" so any of those "lessons" books, or books that are hyped beyond the norm, I steer clear - I put "The Shack" and "Life of Pi" in the same category.

I kept hearing about what a great book this was and thought I'd give it a go. I love a story that has a point and a goal but this book just didn't do it for me. I kept thinking it has to get better...and it didn't. Finally I gave up and abandoned it--I hate to give up on a book but there are just too many other books out there that I want to read and that I'm sure are better suited to my interests. I gave it a good effort..

Benefit of reading Alchemist? well you can say you read it that's all. GOSH! it ruined all my time! At every turning of the events it makes no sense! International best seller?? It doesn't wort a penny!

Absolutely, the whole time I was reading, I was expecting some good stuff would come up. I almost got angry when I finished reading it. Paulo could have written a good romantic novel or something between Santiago, the Shepard and Fatima.
Benefit of reading Alchemist? well you can say you read it that's all. GOSH! it ruined all my time! At every turning of the events it makes no sense! International best seller?? It doesn't wort a penny!

I was also very disappointed. I prefer for spirituality in fiction to be subversive and subtly suggestive rather than explicit. It's like the whole book is telling-not-showing with regard to certain spiritual ideas, and they aren't really articulated well. The author was trying to find a way to preach to others that we all need to watch out for omens that guide our life in various directions, whereas I would have preferred for this to have played out subtly in the plot and for me to decide whether or not that actually makes sense in my life personally. It was kind of off putting.

I felt the same probably because I read a lot of mediumistic spiritualist books and this is very basic to me. Glad to know I was not the only one. Felt the same about The Shack.

Many friends and acquaintances praised this book claiming that it had changed their lives. I just think that's an overrated statement. I don't deny that I liked bits and pieces of it, just not enough to blow my mind.

Read my full review [ here ].

The book wasn't actually focused on the plot by itself... It is more of a symbol. This book is a way of representing real life. What happened was a symbolization of a character having a regular life (shepherd) and receiving a goal (the treasure). However, he had to make sacrifices throughout this reach. Some include the time he uses and the sheep he sold to the king that may help his goal. However, another hidden message is that while he tries to reach for his goal, he learns from experiences in reaching the goal. He learned to speak with the wind and alchemy (The Alchemist). :) This book is one of my favorites. There are other symbols that i don't know such as the fire or the oasis. Look them up and you'll find it.

just by respect of the author i gave him two star -_-

Paolo is the silliest writer, ever.

Thank you for posting this. I used to think I was a recluse for not liking the Alchemist.

I read The Alchemist because it was a reading assignment in my English class years ago. I found it profoundly boring and simplistic, contrary to the general reaction of the whole class. Everyone loved it and would quote some lines from the book.

My best reading buddy loves this book and he would often quote his favorite line...

Unfortunately, my dear best-reading-buddy, no matter how much I love you, I just cannot muster to love this book. And NO, I don't believe that nonsense that if you really want something bad enough, the universe conspires to make it happen. ;p

Totally not impressed with his writings. I have also read his other books and finishing the other two (I bought it coz I thought he's a good writer and yes because a lot of people keep on suggesting his books and I see so many quotes from him on my facebook feed lol) I was appalled by the weird feeling you get reading his books (cult feels) like my stomach is on reverse gravity mode. And also his books kinda sends a revolitionary belief for New Age Religion... Which I somehow understood why he writes the way he writes when I read his biography.

Terrible.

I agree too. One star.

I commented earlier and I agree. This book was boring and a waste of reading time. I read it for a book club and was just happy that I was NOT the one to suggest it.

I have to say that was one of the books i enjoy more until this days! Simple, and at same time so emotional.

I see a lot of hostility toward this book, I suppose since it does take a stab at spirituality - which can be sensitive territory for a lot of people.

The meaning behind the story does seem pretentious to a degree, sure, however, I never thought I'd seriously take the book for an actual tool for self improvement, I read the book more for enjoyment and it felt refreshing to read. The way each setting, person and obstacle is described feels like I'm actually transported there. So many quotables can be extracted!

I'm not sure if the author was trying to market it as such, but those that honestly hate the book for being peachy just seems silly to me. It's a short, simple book that was fun to pick up for the atmosphere that's decently woven together. Definitely recommend.

I agree. It appeared on the Best Seller List for so long, and it still does, that I read it to see what all the hoopla was about and was extremely disappointed.
It is probably a good book for very young readers and people who don't read long books. And for people who have not read very much, or who have not encountered other literature that better evokes similar themes.

I can't even get halfway through. it rarely happens so I know its a horrible book if I have to force myself. Thank you for the reviews i won't proceed to torture myself trying to find the amazing part in the book

I don't understand what's in this book that is so hyped about for!?
Disappointed a great deal by the narration style (Yeah okay I know its translated!) and also by (how-on-the-planet-earth) the way it ends. Are Spiritual books often this clingy in bringing out some fairy tale versioned plot at the end and then completely ruining the setup??
Apart from some quotes nothing great or agreeable.
Not for everyone, like any other self-help book, it only pleases the 'needed' . But i really wonder who are those who actually need this!!?

it was confussing I did not enjoy reading it

I too was disappointed, I expected a lot more because of all the praise it received. Never read another Coelho book after this one...

ugh!!! What a BORING book, sooooo long and hard to push myself through it, and a waste of my time. I only read it because I love books by Wallace D. Wattles, Bob Proctor, Jack Canfield, Jim Rohn, Ali Brown, Og Mandino, to mention a few, I've read so many books and this Alchemist bored me to tears. If you're into reading good motivational/inspiring/PMA/ or self growth books, I can refer you to so many better books if you're looking to grow. Heck, just get the book "The Secret" or watch the video, which you can listen/watch on YouTube now. Maybe this book is for the newbies who need a story format

So what I think is, probably his some of the other books are much better than Alchemist.

I recently had the idea of listening to audio books during "dead" time ie. Whilst driving, on airplanes etc. I had heard an awful lot about this book and since it's not the sort of thing I would normally read I decided to give the audio version a go. I don't now if it was the narrator (Jeremy Irons putting on the most appalling accents / voices) or whether I'm just a very shallow person but I really disliked the book. I feel that I have wasted 4 hours of my life that I could have used to watch paint dry (or grass grow).

The dialogue was shockingly bad and trite. Possibly something got lost in translation. The book was Panglossian in its outlook and the message was banal (if I'm generous). All I can say is that I'm glad I didn't have to pay for it.

Ugh. This 'book' is underwhelming misogynistic drivel. Why does everyone think it's so awesome? It's horribly written.

I can find inspirational "it's all about the journey" messages in any book. In fact, I've done that. There are plenty of books that don't treat women like our own personal legends don't matter. We aren't property, we shouldn't have to cover up (married or not),we're made for MORE than child-rearing, and we have our own dreams.

I thought to myself that it was my own fault for setting my expectations too high. At least now I know I am not alone!!!

My book group loved it. I thought it tried to be a parable but failed to be either an engaging novel or a source of spiritual wisdom. Meh.

ugh. my pastor recommended this to me, and i found it boring. like i didn't see what was so special about this book at all and i spent over a month finishing it.

I found this a very anti climatic read, I was recommended this so many times that I felt like I had to see what all the fuss was about. It was disappointing and repetitive nothing new or compelling.

When i read that book almost more than ten years back it left me awestruck. But now after reading many spiritual books, I feel that the book is a little too simple to be called a spiritual book. However, I do think it's not we who find books instead BOOKS find us and they keep us directing from one book to the other in the path of what we seek. So perhaps Alchemist was my kindergarten step into spirituality and made me realize there is more to it than finding the treasure which is right in front of your eyes.

I just finished reading the book. I started off with much anticipation and found the start quite intriguing. But as I progressed towards the end I found certain sermons being rewritten many times and thats where my attention got shifted. The way the book ended was something i never thought. I had expected a better ending that would have resonated the enthusiasm with which Coelho had started the story of the boy. Its an extremely average read except some good quotes that I came across.

Important note: translation makes a huge difference!

I am currently reading this book in two languages at once: the original Portuguese, and the English translation (I'm only aware of one extant English translation, by Alan R. Clarke; please let me know if I'm wrong in that assumption).

I was absolutely stunned and disappointed to discover the differences between the two versions. The English translation is HORRIBLE! Not only is there an utter lack of style, but actual meaning is consistently altered in places where it doesn't need to be. The translator evidently wanted to make the book his own, instead of faithfully communicating the author's original intentions. I'm dismayed that this translation could have been published at all. The original Portuguese is head and shoulders above the English (even if I still don't particularly like the book).

(I am a professional working in the translation field and studied translation in college and grad school.)

Amazed by the opinions here :)
Yes its not original thought - but its still good.
I had heard none of the hype before I read the book - maybe that helped. I didnt come to it expecting it to be life changing and it isnt. I sort of summed up what I already knew.
Having liked it I tried a couple more of his books - didnt like them at all and found myself not liking the author much either.

So somehow I believed that this was some kind of fantasy story. I do not know why besides the mentioning of an alchemist.

But I read it, well listened to it while steadily picking up and putting down heavy things at the gym. The thing is, the general message is extremely heavy handed. Besides the fact that I do not agree with it I think the motivations of the characters aren't really that believable either, nor it the writing style. Kid learns the secrets of the universe because of greed, basically. Even the whole "enjoy the journey, take setbacks in stride, the world runs on love (that he apparently only met once), everything will come to you if you wish for it hard enough" I mean, its not new, its not engaging. Its just....

Count me in as one who's not impressed. I've read it three times - once in college, once in my late 20s, and once again in my early 40s. I'm actually a person who strives to find themes and lessons and messages in what I'm reading. I just have not been able to do that with this book, even over several decades of my life.

me

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."

Glad I'm not the only one! I read this book because of the numerous recommendations that I got in favour of this book but they were all in vain. I wish I could've invested my time in opting a better read. It was quite a hype and cliche.