197 pages
English language
Published Nov. 2, 1993
The Alchemist (Portuguese: O Alquimista) is a novel by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho which was first published in 1988. Originally written in Portuguese, it became a widely translated international bestseller. An allegorical novel, The Alchemist follows a young Andalusian shepherd in his journey to the pyramids of Egypt, after having a recurring dream of finding a treasure there.
Too much religious superstition and platitudes for my taste. If any good comes out of its reading it is that you should always follow your dreams. There is nothing that separates you from fill-in-the-blank superstars/legends. Nothing.
2.5, It had its inspiring moments but overall was full of farce.
Surely I'm missing something here, but this short fable felt super contrived and barebones. The characters didn't feel alive, it felt like they were carrying out straightforward actions to drive home a message that feels cliché even for 1988. I think the notion of pursuing something you want relentlessly is a little outdated, as is Fatima's role as "woman who pines for the main character to return".
