The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Alchemist
Book Review: A Simple, Comforting Read when You Need It Most
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a very simple book to read. There are no real complexities to the book. The characters are one-dimensional and it could easily pass for a younger person's novel. It is a quick, comfortable read. It is simple, but don't we "adults" sometimes want and need that?
I am rating this 4 stars because of the way this book satisfies a need we all have sometimes to read that one type of story which makes us feel as if we could reach some higher destiny whatever it may be. This book does just that. You will enjoy the short, little aphorisms and insights (even if they don't seem to be accurate all the time) amidst a story of a journey following one's dream and struggling to achieve it.
In a world in which many lead cubicle, service-centric lives, wouldn't it be nice to escape in a story reminding you life was meant to be more than just "settling for anything" and destiny could possibly be achieved if only you kept persisting? This one will. I loved it for that. You will too.
***** THE BOTTOM LINE *****
We all need to read books like this every once in awhile. It may not be perfect, it may not be the most complex, but it satisfies the need to feel part of something larger than ourselves. Don't we need that sometimes? Don't you remember a time when that was important?
Book Review: A Story To Treasure
Summary: 3 Stars
This parable centers on a young man named Santiago. Though his family wishes him to become a priest, he dreams of traveling and so with his father's reluctant blessings he becomes a shepherd. Santiago spends a great deal of time with his sheep, learning the art of animal husbandry and believes that he has learned all that he needs to know from his close relationship with nature. Though he lives a mainly solitary life, he dreams of marrying a merchant's daughter.
One night he has a powerful dream in which a child instructs him to seek out a treasure which is buried near the Egyptian Pyramids. Santiago attempts to forget about his dream, but finds that he cannot. He consults a Gypsy woman known for her ability to interpret dreams. The un-named Gypsy listens to his dream and instructs him to go to Egypt and find the treasure. She expects no immediate payment from him, but asks for one tenth of his treasure in return for the services she provided.
Santiago agrees to the arrangement, but is still unsure about what action he should take if any. He is conflicted between the known and the unknown. On one hand he is secure in the life of the shepherd, he knows what to expect each day and things rarely change. On the other hand, his dream compels him to find a treasure which promises to afford him all the things that he desires in his life...wealth, the ability to travel, and to marry.
Finally, Santiago meets a man who claims to be the King of Salem who encourages him to follow his dream and offers him an ancient tool that will enable him to listen to the Soul of the World, the secret language with which all things communicate with one another. Santiago strikes a bargain with the King, who purchases one tenth of Santiago's herd and which helps him to begin to finance his journey to the pyramids.
Santiago sets about his journey to find the treasure promised of in his dream. Along the way he meets several characters who cause him to both question his choices as well as to confirm his personal destiny. Through his experiences with both friends and enemies he learns more about himself, the world, nature, and the importance of following one's dreams.
Though he struggles with his decisions Santiago continually finds omens that he believes lead him in the direction he wishes to go. Moving ever forward Santiago finally arrives in Egypt where his treasure awaits him, however, not in the form or even the place that he had expected. The ending provides an ironic twist that the reader doesn't see coming but which reminds one of the importance of the journey over the destination.
I really liked this story and at only about 170 pages I was able to finish it in one sitting. However, some may find the fact that The Alchemist draws upon the religious mythology of both Christian and Muslim spirituality distasteful. However, for me, it didn't detract from the central theme of the story which is to follow one's dreams.
While some have criticized The Alchemist for presenting universal truths in a superficial manner, I prefer to read the story as a whole for its message. Though this book was originally published in 1988 (years before The Secret) there are hints to the Law of Attraction that has come to the forefront of society's consciousness in the past several years.
In short, I believe that nearly everyone can learn something from The Alchemist; and even if you don't like the book, no one but the most die hard pessimist can deny there are worse things in life you can do than to follow your dream.
Book Review: A Transformational Journey
Summary: 5 Stars
An inspirational book about a boy's journey of transformation. Deceptively simple and easy to read, this book illustrates beautifully the concepts of spiritual growth, finding the true self, and following our own destiny.Book Review: A Trip for the Soul
Summary: 5 Stars
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, is the first book I've read by this author. I had been reading a lot of novels as of late, and was looking for a change, and something short! The Alchemist was the best choice that I could've made.
I would not be considered a very religious, or spiritual person, and I say that because this book can be viewed at many different levels, both from a spiritual journey, a mental journey, emotional, religious, but most important, it is a travel of the mind, and soul. The story is about a Boy, who has a dream of a great treasure. At the time in his life, he is but a Shepherd, traveling the lands of southern Spain with his flock. After meeting a Gypsy and feeling he got "ripped" off, he meets the King of Salem, where he begins to understand about your own "Personal Legend."
From here the Boy begins his travels, his troubles, and quest, to reach his treasure. Along the way he meets people who understand what their Personal Legend is, but either are too afraid to pursue it, or doubt they can achieve it, and those people who never come to realize what their dreams are. The book speaks about doing what you can to reach your treasure, and never giving up.
And sometimes, you don't have to go very far to realize your treasure is right under your feet. From what I took from the book is we should look towards the future, but live in the present, and try to understand the past. I believe everyone will take something different from this book, but as I said, you don't need to be spiritual or religious to take some meaning away after reading.
Life is a journey, and how we choose to get there, either by our own will or something else's, helps us reach our treasure and Personal Legend.
Book Review: A Trip for the Soul
Summary: 5 Stars
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, is the first book I've read by this author. I had been reading a lot of novels as of late, and was looking for a change, and something short! The Alchemist was the best choice that I could've made.
I would not be considered a very religious, or spiritual person, and I say that because this book can be viewed at many different levels, both from a spiritual journey, a mental journey, emotional, religious, but most important, it is a travel of the mind, and soul. The story is about a Boy, who has a dream of a great treasure. At the time in his life, he is but a Shepherd, traveling the lands of southern Spain with his flock. After meeting a Gypsy and feeling he got "ripped" off, he meets the King of Salem, where he begins to understand about your own "Personal Legend."
From here the Boy begins his travels, his troubles, and quest, to reach his treasure. Along the way he meets people who understand what their Personal Legend is, but either are too afraid to pursue it, or doubt they can achieve it, and those people who never come to realize what their dreams are. The book speaks about doing what you can to reach your treasure, and never giving up.
And sometimes, you don't have to go very far to realize your treasure is right under your feet. From what I took from the book is we should look towards the future, but live in the present, and try to understand the past. I believe everyone will take something different from this book, but as I said, you don't need to be spiritual or religious to take some meaning away after reading.
Life is a journey, and how we choose to get there, either by our own will or something else's, helps us reach our treasure and Personal Legend.