4.5 stars

This is like a motivational speech tucked into the confines of a fiction story. Santiago’s inner turmoil is so painfully reflected in my own life and my conflict with doing what I want versus what i’m comfortable doing. This book really pushed my boundaries and, although set in a place and lifestyle I’ve never experienced, I heavily related to. It's inspiring and haunting all in one breath. It's lighthearted, but also thought-provoking.

The setting begins in the fields of Spain but eventually switches to Santiago’s journey through Africa, so I found the scenery and conflict arising from their locations very fascinating. I rarely read classics set outside the US or England, which I should pursue more of, and this was very enjoyable with Islamic supporting characters.

I grew frustrating in the middle of this book, because it seemed almost assaulting in its message. The dialogue is very transparent and this book says exactly what it means with little to no metaphor or embellishment, which I originally thought was tacky. The more I read, however, the more I realized how interesting of a tactic it is. This reads almost like The Little Prince or a children’s book where the moral is delivered to you in a wrapped package with a bow. It delivers its message up-front, but it gives the reader enough space to determine how he or she wants to absorb that message. It's brilliant.

Santiago is a fascinating main character that I think anyone could relate to. This book is truly ageless because it’s about following your heart and your life’s destiny, and although this book does dabble in discussions about religion and how God plays into that role, it’s very subjective in its interpretation. Islam and Catholicism are both depicted in this story, but even as an atheist, I was able to recognize the intention that Coelho was putting forth: overcoming the obstacles that are barriers to your personal calling. (honestly, this entire book is so quotable.)

Now that i’ve effectively turned into a philosophy professor, I’ll stop. But I did really enjoy this story. If you’re not a fan of literalness (is that a word?) in classics, then I would pass on this one, but its imagery and setting is so neat that I would nudge anybody else to grab it from a used bookstore. If anything, it’s under 200 pages, so just go for it.

I picked up this book in an airport between flights, it's been pretty hyped up and was obviously the most-purchased book from the store. Even the girl on the plane next to me, obviously not an english-speaker, took great efforts to tell me that she loved this book.

The book's protagonist is an adolescent shepherd and reads as if it were written by one. Coelho abandons all subtlety, capitalizing the phrase "Personal Legend" and using it every other page in a story that has the ingredients of a successful fairy tale but stitches them together in such a barebones superficial way that reminds me of $1.50 starbucks cups wisdom or motivational stories told by commencement speakers with a religious agenda. It's initial message of 'follow your passion' is soon altered to 'the story of your life is written by the same hand who wrote the story of the world' and then to 'the heart of alchemy is the Soul of the World [sic] which all should strive to join.' 80 pages was more than fair. Very willing to sell/swap.

Needless to say I didn't read any of the "Plus" aspects of this edition.

قرأتها منذ عامين، وانا اقرأها كنت احس بأنني اعرف روحية النص وبأنني قرأته في مكان آخر.....

وبعد سنتين كنت اقرأ بعض الصفحات من "الف ليلة وليلة"(حكاية إفلاس رجل من بغداد)، فعرفت اين قرأت "الخيميائي" ولماذا كان ذلك الإحساس بروحية النص، فدافع البغدادي (الف ليلة وليلة) في رحلته هو الحلم (مثل سانتياغو في الخيميائي)، سافر البغدادي الى مصر (وكذلك فعل بطل كويلو)، تعرض البغدادي للمخاطر والتنكيل به (وكذلك بطل كويلو)، تكذيب الحلم والإستهزاء بصاحبه (الوالي عندما يتكلم مع البغدادي في الف ليلة وليلة، والزعيم لسانتياغو في الخيميائي وهو يحفر النفق)، الحلم المضاد (الوالي للبغدادي: هناك بيت في بغداد وصفه كذا وكذا فيه كنز (بمعناه)، والزعيم لسنتياغو: في اسبانيا كنيسة يرعى فيها الرعيان..الخ (نفس الكنيسة التي كان يرعى بها سانتياغو)، العودة وايجاد الكنز (في كلا القصتين) و "الف ليلة وليلة قبل الخيميائي بمئات السنين!!!!

The Alchemist has been translated into like a million languages, and it feels like it. Bland sentences, simple story telling and zero nuance. It's a quaint parable about a shepherd who bucks the current course of his life - shepherding - to go in search of his Personal Legend (Coehlo's caps, and phrase). Coehlo's got a point, and he's going to drive it through your eyeball until he's absolutely sure you've got it.

If you ignore much of the language of the book, this is a paper-thin rehashing of Rand-like individualism  Atlas Shrugged  The Fountainhead. No one can show you your way but yourself. Step out on your own and you are invincible.

But all the trappings of this moral story are mystical platitudes. "Good luck shines on those who are following their Personal Legend." "Omens are the Language of the World. Learning to read them is communicating with the Soul of the World and the hand that wrote all." "All things are one." "Listen to your heart, it speaks in the Language of the World." I'd rather read  Siddhartha.

There are a number of “should read” books on my TBR... The Alchemist is probably one that’s been on my list the longest.

I don’t know what I was expecting, but this wasn’t it. I’m slightly disconcerted that it didn’t WOW me as I was led to believe— having read the 25th anniversary edition with a strong preface, I’m wondering why I wasn’t transformed by this classic?

Some lovely philosophical musings and plot devices to prove some long recognized adages. A few passages gave me pause and I even re-read one or two to make sure I understood them. I will admit to thinking of the stasis of my own life once or twice, now that I’m middle-aged. I definitely identified with the crystal shop owner more than I’d care to admit.

A quick read, I can see why so many have this on their “must read” lists but a five-star read it was not.

At least not for me.

(Reviewed 1/5/19)

(B+) 78% | Good
Notes: On chasing dreams, don't settle themes, enjoying silver linings, but too cliché and child's play, relies on stars aligning.

*Check out progress updates for detailed commentary:

Progress updates:

06/08/2024 - Preamble
(1) It's been a very long time since I first read this. Really, this is one of the earliest novels I read when I began reading recreationally.
- I remember at the time not getting what all the hype was about and thought it, while quite well done, was fairly ordinary.
- It'll be interesting to see if I'll change my tune at all after so many years.
(2) No real chapter breaks, which is a shame. I like boundaries.

06/09/2024 - Prologue
(1) You know, I'd just been wondering why the original cover art was "Narcissus" by Caravaggio. I couldn't understand why. Well, the prologue answered that question immediately albeit not directly.
- My first thought is it's symbolic of this book in concept. The prologue tells the story of Narcissus, but then adds to it. Which is to say this book might use existing folklore as a base to build its fiction upon.

06/12/2024 - Andalusia
(1) Melchizedek's interesting. He says he's the Biblical King of Salem, who dealt with Abraham. So, he's either a liar/conman or in some way divine.
- You'd think Santiago, who attended seminary, would be either awed or skeptical. He seems neither.
- Presuming he's divine, the way he disrupts Santiago's life, overturning the status quo, makes him an archetypical trickster.
- This is magical realism, I suppose.

06/13/2024 - Tangier
(1) "The boy knew that in money there was magic; whoever has money is never really alone."
- True, albeit cynical. You're never alone because people want your money.
- Of course, it implies the inverse is also true. Losing all his money means he's now really alone and has no ability to make things magically happen.
(2) This whole Tangier section is about blessings in disguise and not settling for the familiar.

06/14/2024 (1) - The Caravan and Oasis
(1) "Once you get into the desert, there's no going back, and, when you can't go back, you have to worry only about the best way of moving forward."
- That's the difference between the Crystal Merchant, who looks back and never sees Mecca, and the Englishman, who builds a forge in the desert.
- This whole section is like one big Nike ad. So many metaphors all amounting to the same "Just Do It!" call to action.

06/14/2024 (2) - The Desert
(1) It's interesting how figures here tie themselves into a Biblical lineage, as if to imply this story is Biblical as well.
- We saw this previously with the old man who insisted he was the Biblical Melchizedek.
- At the oasis, the tribal elder says they were the very people who purchased Joseph and brought him to Egypt.
- Like Joseph, Santiago is a foreigner who saves the locals and is made a court official.

06/15/2024 (1) - The Military Camp
(1) It's around this point in the book that you realize the titular "Alchemist" isn't the alchemist character, but Santiago.
- Because turning lead into gold is a metaphor for leaving a mundane life to pursue treasure.
(2) "Usually the threat of death makes people a lot more aware of their lives."
- Hitting rock bottom usually spurs people into action.
- That's why the boy was robbed of everything three times.

06/15/2024 (2) - Epilogue
(1) Ultimately, this is one of those "it's not you it's me" books.
- I can understand why it inspires so many people and why it's one of the most popular books on this site.
- But (call me jaded, cynical or a grump) the book-long refrain that the universe conspires to make your dreams come true just seems quixotic and trite.
(2) Overall, a better experience than before, but nothing to make me change my rating.

3.5 Stars

The Alchemist is an interesting little spiritual fable. A little bit of several religions have an influence on the journey to enlightenment. Not a whole lot of exposition as the author gets right to the point throughout. It should be a quick read (unless you don't care for it - and I have seen many less than satisfied reviews).

When I read this I was reminded a lot of Siddhartha. I read that one earlier this year so I have it fresh in my brain. Both of them are short novels (novellas, really) that tell about a simple and fairly unremarkable boy going through many encounters to find ultimate enlightenment. With this being the case, if you liked Siddhartha, I think that not only will you like this, you should read it for sure!

With that, I will end my review - leaving it short, just like the book!

All those negative reviews are baffling to me. Where does it say this is a self help book? People are bashing the "lessons" as if this is some philosophical or religious work. It's a fictional story that can be enjoyed by yourself or with your kids for ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES. It's a fun story filled to the brim with quirks and marvels. I was curious the entire time how following one's legend blindly would turn out for the boy. Am I going to now follow my dreams without logic and reason as in the story? No. Because I'm not a crazy person. Get over it. It's just a story and a good one at that.

EDIT: My first 100+ likes review. Thank you everyone!

In her review, Ioana wrote:

...."The language is quite simple, which can be beautiful (read: Herman Hesse); however it comes off as quite redundant and sermonic. Every other sentence contains at least one reference to either "The Soul of the World", or "The Personal Legend", or "Follow Your Heart" with a big fat capital H. By the end of the novel I am skimming most passages.

The characters are flat (I didn't really "feel" them, what they were going through, and there was no character development), and the storyline resembled that of a children's folktale (I like folktales).

Overall, it was a worthwhile read given that it only took a couple hours, presented some interesting ideas (albeit, without illustrating any of them satisfactorily), and removed me to the Spanish countryside/Arabian desert for a bit (I am a sucker for folktales, and if this book is nothing else, it would make a lovely illustrated children's book)."

I think this sums up in a few words what the book is about. Simple. Feel Good. Motivational. Folktale.

It also brings many of the baggage of those themes with that. Certainly it at times does appear to be able to reach deep within people like Corie whom said in her review:

"If you are looking for a nice meaty book filled with twists, turns and life-like characters - this is NOT your book. Wait until you are more in a more introspective mood. Coelho's prose is simplistic and at times childish. And the read is easy - I finished in around an hour and a half I suppose. But the meanings left scattered throughout the chapters are intense and authentic. Omens and signs - all around us, the universe directing us and helping us, wanting us to succeed. All we have to do is be aware - to listen. "

and Micha does add a good point against it:

"Let me only point to the fact that there is now an “Illustrated Alchemist” version of the book. If ones personally philosophy can be illustrated as a comic book then perhaps it is a tad bit on the simple side. "

Despite all this I would have to disagree with April's comments in Eleanor's review:

"This book is intended for people with passion and drive. Its not just a novel - for entertainment reading. The story is simple - exactly! thats the beauty of the book - its simplicity. But with that simplicity is a complex philosophy that you obviously don't get because you took the story literally."

The book I would say caters to people with depression and lack of drive more than it inspires. Deep down, I felt I was reading for entertainment and that's why it came off as complex to me because deep down the protagonist is a Mary Sue and that's why it caters to me because like a Mary Sue done well, it tries to connect the reader who is apathetic or hopeless or depressed and tries to show them that maybe there is something out there just worth grasping for and yet I get a feeling that people who do grasp for the message in the Alchemist will find that the book isn't deep at all and certainly many of the other reviews properly represent that.

That's why I rated it as amazing. It's just one of those books that no one can really tell someone how bad it is until the reader actually finds out for himself and I doubt those who have read many books will find it astounding it all but not everyone reads a tons of books and for what it's worth, I think a book that can attach itself and inspire someone to read further deserves no less a rating than amazing.

The Alchemist is simply that kind of book that manages to do so by being short enough, shallow enough, deep enough and hyped enough to cater to a generation of casual readers.

4.75 ⭐

GENRE - FICTION - DRAMA/SELF HELP.

Paulo Coelho is an interesting Story teller and an incredibly versatile writer, in The ALCHEMIST he has creatively explained the importance of following your dreams with the help of a story.

The book is very well written, equally well translated in English language, the book keeps you intrigued, interested and manages to inspire you with its message. It is more of self help book but with the help of a fictional story the author has put forward his message, point of view and notion of why it is necessary for all of us to keep following our dreams.

The book in the end also features an interview of Author Paulo Coelho in brief.

Thank you

~~~ T h e ~ A l c h e m i s t ~~ الـخـيـــميائـــي ~~~

Half-full Cauldron of Clever Story قدر به قصة محكية ببراعة
2 Measures of Legends of Wisdom مقدار من أساطير حكيمة
1 Bundle of Self-Help Motivations حزمة من دوافع تنمية ذاتية
1 Measure of Spiritual Experiences مقدار من التجارب الروحية
Some Drops of Love ~~~ قطرات من الحـــــب
A Bunch of Magic ~~~ حفنة من الســـحر
½ Cub of Philosophy ~~~ مقدار من الفلسفة
¼ Scoop of Thriller ~~~ ربع مغرفه من الأثارة
Mix it all together in the Cauldron..

أخلطهم جميعا في القدر
With Drops of an Oasis' Springs Water مع ماء من ينابيع واحة صحراوية
And Bunch of Golden Desert's Sands و حفنة من رمال الصحراء الذهبية
Let it all Stir by The Desert's Winds دع الخليط يقلبه رياح الصحراء
ِAnd Heat up by the Heat of the Sun rays ويسخنه حرارة أشعة الشمس

ِAnd Then you'll got the Treasure... وستحصل عندها علي الكنز
A Gold,even the Philosopher's Stone ذهــب، بل حجر الفيلسوف
A Great Charming Story, A brilliant literature قصة ساحرة، أدب لامع

The Alchemist --------- الـخيميــائـي
By the Master --------- للاستــاذ
Paulo Coelho --------- باولو كويللو

محمد العربي
في 24 اكتوبر 2013

قراءه من 25 اغسطس 2012
الي 2 سبتمبر 2012

©The Cauldron picture from http://www.pottermore.com

Timing is everything. If I'd read 'The Alchemist' four years ago, I'm sure I would have loved it. It deals in big, bold pronouncements of 'follow your dreams' et cetera et cetera, and it certainly makes you think about your own life and the pursuit of your own "Personal Legend" if you will. But maybe I'm older and more cynical now, or maybe it's not cynicism so much as just seeing a reality that isn't so mystical and black and white as Paulo Coelho's, but in any event, I just wasn't buying what 'The Alchemist' was selling.

It's a good, quick read, I'll give it that. I enjoyed myself, and I definitely thought a little bit about my own life in the process, which I appreciate from my literature. And while I was more or less with it for a while, I just couldn't stay on board with an ending that left me saying, "that's it? Really?" n  Be forewarned, there will be spoilers after this pointn. The whole book Santiago is in pursuit of his "Personal Legend", which he is told is a great treasure found in the pyramids of Egypt. Along the way he befriends many people and makes a great sum of money, while also meeting a beautiful young woman who agrees to more or less be his life-partner, Romeo and Juliet-style (which is stupid in and of itself, but more on that later). It is at this point that he determines he has achieved a greater treasure than any he had ever dreamed of, and would go no further. Beautiful. Cue the music and themes of recognizing treasure in all its forms. Santiago has a wonderful, fulfilling life laid out before him, and would most likely die a happy man by the side of his lovely wife and adoring children, all while living comfortably as village counselor of a beautiful desert oasis. Sounds pretty nice, no?

Well, that's where the book lost it's footing. Santiago is urged, coerced even, into continuing to follow his "Personal Legend", leaving behind his "love" (who, it should be mentioned is a "woman of the desert" and so is completely fine being abandoned by her "love" and will simply wait and wait and wait for him, whether he ever returns or not) traversing the desert and (bizarrely) evading a hostile army along the way by turning himself into the wind (it makes about as much sense as it sounds). In the end though, Coelho reveals to us that Santiago does, indeed, reach his "Personal Legend" in a two and a half page epilogue, where it is shoddily revealed that Santiago's long-sought after treasure is...treasure. Literally. Buried treasure. A box in the sand filled with gold coins and diamonds and jewelry and crowns, and all the other cliche treasure images you can think up. What the hell?

So what message are we supposed to take from this book then? Money is the most important thing in the world? Women are objects meant to be seen and valued for their beauty, there to serve you and wait around forever while you go on wild goose chases across continents in search of money?

Obviously I'm being facetious, and Coelho intended to say that one should follow their dreams no matter what, even if it transcends a nice, content life, so long as you are in pursuit of a life that would be even greater than you can ever imagine, sacrificing what is good now for what can be great later. But he did so in an extremely simplistic way, and the revelation of the Santiago's treasure being literally treasure was a major disappointment.

The thing was, despite his simplicity, the book had a nice message going for a while. If Fatima was Santiago's treasure, that I could have gotten behind, even if it shows a good deal of contempt for the role of women in relationships (beauty being the most important factor in deciding on a mate, as Santiago is struck by her beauty and immediately professes his love; Fatima more or less acquiesces immediately and pledges herself to Santiago no matter what, even if he must travel the desert forever in selfish pursuit of his own dreams, with no regard for her), because that is something intangible that is meaningful and fulfilling, regardless of financial standing. But then Coelho basically goes on to say that that is just a roadblock in the way of real achievement, and that one should selfishly pursue their own dreams with no regard for those closest to them.

How a book can go on and on talking about seeing the everyday symbols and omens in life and taking heed of them, presumably leaving metaphors for life all along the way, and then have what was presumably the biggest metaphor of them all, Santiago's treasure, turn out not to be a metaphor at all, but just money? To me, that summed up everything. I suppose Coelho realizes this, as he begins the book with a brief fable about Narcissus falling into the river because he loved staring at his reflection, and the river's disappointment in this, as the river loved gazing into Narcissus's eyes and seeing the reflection of itself. This is a horrible little story implying that everyone is obsessed only with themselves, a sad, empty little thought that Coelho spends 167 pages endorsing wholeheartedly, under the guise of following your dreams.

I understand that other people love this book and find it inspiring, and I think I would have felt the same way years ago, when I was just out of college and it appeared I had my whole life ahead of me and a lifetime to live it. I'm older now, and I've found someone who I consider to be a real treasure, and while I still have dreams, I'm not willing to sacrifice the happiness that this life brings me every day in a single-minded pursuit of something that I want for selfish reasons (fame, fortune, etc.). If I was Santiago, I would have never left Fatima in the first place if she truly made me happy, as Santiago claimed she did. Perhaps that makes me a coward in Coelho's eyes, not unlike the Crystal merchant from the story. But it'd also make me not the sad Englishman, whose single-minded pursuit of his "personal legend" had cost him all his money, friends, and family and left him alone in an oasis burning lead in a tent in the vain hopes it will turn to gold.

I guess what I'm trying to say in this long-winded review, is that this book is all about being selfish and doing what you think will make you happy, regardless of everything else. I can see why that appeals to people, especially those who want to show the doubters and find their own treasure beneath a sycamore tree, but it's sad, in a way. We live in a culture where everyone wants selfish things like fame or money or power, just to satisfy some gaping hole in their own souls, ignoring the real problems that lead to these compulsions in the first place. To me, this book feeds and even encourages that misplaced ideal, and that's a shame.