The Alchemist

Customer Reviews

• A Powerful Parable  Jun 21, 2006 (115 of 132 found this helpful)

  More parable than novel, "The Alchemist" uses the story of young shepherd Santiago's search for his Personal Legend as an allegory for everyman's struggle to break from the comfortable confines of conformity and pursue his life dreams. Along the way, of course, our young everyman is beset by all manner of setbacks, testing his resolve and forcing him to become attuned to the Soul of the World in order to survive. By paying attention to the details in the world around him, which serve as omens guiding him towards his goal, young Santiago becomes an alchemist in his own right, spinning unfavorable circumstances into riches.
  
  Aside from the ubiquitous theme about the power of perseverance, my favorite part of the book was its glorification of simplicity. Like the pared-down manner in which the story is presented, Santiago's rare ability to get in touch with the Soul of the World comes not from the procedures described in arcane tomes pursued by traditional alchemists, but rather from a simple honesty and observance of the workings of the world. While the lack of character or plot complexity precludes this minimalist work from being considered a great novel, it will be a satisfying read for those seeking inspiration of the purest sort.
  
  -Kevin Joseph, author of "The Champion Maker"
  

• SUPERB ARTICULATION OF A M,AGICAL TALE  Mar 15, 2001 (29 of 31 found this helpful)

  British stage and screen actor Jeremy Irons is a beguiling reader whether sotto voce or thunderous declaration. His crisply articulate delivery is especially well suited to this contemporary fable reminding us of what is truly important in life.

  Santiago, a shepherd boy, dreams of treasure hidden in Egypt. So, he leaves his home in Spain to search for the most precious hoard imaginable, in other words, he follows his dream. His quest takes him to the markets of Tangier and across the Egyptian desert to forage among the Pyramids.

  During his journey he meets a Gypsy woman, a self proclaimed king, and an Alchemist, all of whom offer Santiago directions. Listeners do not know what the treasure is that the boy seeks, but they do learn that riches are not found in possessions but rather within our hearts and minds.

  Mr. Irons has already been lauded by his peers - he is the winner of an Emmy Award, an Academy Award, and a Tony Award. This reading will simply add luster to his already stellar accomplishments.

• Baffled  Jan 20, 2009 (18 of 18 found this helpful)

  I do not get how anyone likes this book at all. It's boring. It's repetitive. It's horridly simple. The characters have no depth. Every character speaks like the next. The dialog is ridiculous. It's full of cliches and platitudes that have a tenuous connection if any at all.
  
  I am baffled, BAFFLED that anyone likes this book. There is nothing here. I can possibly see a 13 year old simpy girl finding this deep. Just like a 13 year old simpy girl would find Backstreet Boy's lyrics deep. But how any grown person who has actually lived in any form of reality can find this book to be anything other than drivel blows my mind.
  
  I read this for a book club and I am going to smack who ever suggested it.

• The Beauty is in the Simplicity  Jan 22, 2002 (482 of 588 found this helpful)

  When I thought about reviewing this book, I had many things to say...but after reading some of the other reviews which pick apart and criticize it, I can see the meaning of the book even more clearly.
  The writing is simple and clear- not juvenile. It's entertaining and brings a message which does not need to be complicated, except for those who are not ready to see the truth. They are the ones who like their truth heavily veiled and masked, as their self-gratification is in the pursuit. The reality is, the only place you need to look for the truth is in yourself. There is no search required- just your own personal journey.
  Life does not need to be complicated, and the folks who have made negative comments about those who enjoy this book have obviously missed the point of it entirely- and they bring to mind the phrase "Casting Pearls before Swine."
  You are not going to get anything valuable from this book unless you are READY for the spiritual knowledge which it contains. And that is one of the main points of the book anyway.
  Personally, I received deep spiritual messages and peace from reading The Alchemist- and I have been on my own spiritual path for over two decades. This book presents information that only those who have actually paid attention to their journey would understand and appreciate.
  If you read it and don't like it, I suggest you forget about it for at least 5 years and pick it up again. You might be surprised.
  Update, 10/2003:Oh. My. Gosh. I can't believe how many people just "don't get" this book!!! Look: the point is not about anyone's "Personal Legend"!!!
  THE POINT, is that what you search for is usually RIGHT THERE all along, and that the journey you take to find it is about learning lessons and growing as a person. Get it yet? LIFE IS IN THE JOURNEY, NOT THE DESTINATION!!
  Santiago set off to find his "pot of gold," and after a long journey during which he grew mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, he finally discovers the location of the treasure. He follows the directions and find it RIGHT WHERE HE STARTED!
  GET IT?!!!
  You have what you need inside of you all of the time. You don't need to search outside yourself- you need to look within. THAT is the point.
  Sheesh.

• The courage to believe...  Mar 20, 2005 (16 of 16 found this helpful)

  When reading 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho, one is immediately caught up in an atmosphere filled with dreams, symbols, and adventure. Similar to Vicky Davis' 'The Baron Son,' this delightful tale combines ancient mysticism with fantasy as Coelho urges people to follow their dreams in order to find pure contentment and personal achievement.
  
  The novel tells the tale of Santiago, a boy who ventures to discover his true self, while searching for a hidden treasure near Egypt's pyramids. By the tale's end, he discovers that the treasure was the actual journey, the discoveries he made along the way, and the wisdom he gained as a result. Coelho skillfully combines words of wisdom and philosophy in very simple language, which makes it particularly readable.