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The Alchemist Book Review

Paulo Coelho's fantasy contemporary classic has everything you'd expect of a Chosen One story: adventure, wise older men imparting wisdom, and a happy ending. A relatively short book, this one was a quick read for me, but I was just expecting more from this book that I'd seen everywhere and always heard good things about.

Paulo Coelho is the author of The Alchemist. He was born in 1947 in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Being the author of 30 books that have sold over 320 million copies in 170 countries, he has become one of the most widely read authors in the world today. Paulo Coelho is the recipient of over 115 awards and honours, including the Hans Christian Anderson Award, the Grinzane Cavour Book Award and the Chevalier de l'Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur, to name a few. 

Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago's journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, most importantly, to follow our dreams.

Don't get me wrong, there was a lot that was enjoyable about The Alchemist. I didn't really mind all the philosophy and wisdom in the pages, even though it was often shrouded by Crazy Capitalized Concepts. I thought that a story about following your heart, and ending up right where you started but it being about the journey was a really wholesome one to read about. I found that the wisdom of the three supporting characters—the king, the alchemist, and the crystal shop owner—really made the book. 

This book is definitely cheesy and might not be for everyone. It's structured like a fable, so it has lots of simplicity, and might actually be best for younger readers. The style of the writing is perfect for those wanting to get into reading, and wanting something digestible to start with. The uncomplicated narrative and the relatively small cast of characters also helps with that. Unfortunately, for someone who is wider-read and was expecting something a bit more earth-shattering, this one wasn't as fulfilling as I thought, but still this all made it relatively enjoyable and a quick read. 

All-in-all, this one just wasn't for me. Which is okay! I think I may have liked this book more when I was in high school, or when I was reading The Little Prince because I definitely got that energy here. I can see why this book has survived for so long, as it has that timeless feel, and, who knows, maybe when I'm in a more generous spirit in the future I'll attempt this one again. 

*This review can also be found on my Goodreads page*

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