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bg_oseman_fan's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was an interesting kind of parable. it has plenty of moments that will stick with me for a while. i enjoyed how the author captures different point of view and didn’t let the story get so big that it couldn’t maneuver itself. the theme was really captivating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Xenophobia
Moderate: War, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Death, and Animal death
readingelli's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
bremixtli's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: War
torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Body horror, Classism, Colonisation, Alcohol, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and War
renorsomethin's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: War and Animal death
q_bert13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
An adventurous story of a boy searching to complete his personal legend. At times I grew bored as a reader, as most of the characters were flat, as you don’t learn much about the mc, or interact with any others until later in the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and War
Minor: Death, Alcohol, Blood, and Animal death
simplyv375's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Not really my type of book especially after the g-slur was mentioned.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Racism, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Sexism and Racial slurs
grays_opinion's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I'm going to cut to the chase: you're either going to love or hate this book. Generally, you'll enjoy this book if you are religious or otherwise believe in a higher being/creator, an idealistic/optimistic person or someone looking for a hopeful message, and an enjoyer of magical realism and romanticism. If you're not any of those things, you're going to think this book is a bunch of moralistic trash.
I will say that I, as someone who believes in a higher being and was looking for a hopeful message, did generally enjoy the book. It is a very philosophical book at its core, and it ponders love, destiny, and the environment around us. A lot of the judgement and beliefs expressed in the book are rooted in a belief that there is at least one higher being out there, one that created and predetermined everything. If you don't believe in any gods or divine creators, you may dislike all the discussion about God and fate. The main character is Christian, but discussions of God are kept non-denominational enough so that readers of all religions can relate at least on some level. I personally found comfort in the discussions of making your own decisions and working to fulfill your dreams; it inspired me to look seriously at the signs scattered around in my own life and further encouraged me to pursue my dreams rather than stay in a familiar status quo.
The book does come off as a bit xenophobic/racist at times, with the main character referring to Muslims as "infidels" and calling a character a "gypsy" (then subsequently describing that character as a trickster.) I also disliked the romantic story line. The main character immediately falls in love with a random woman, and tells her the next day that he wants to marry her. And she's just...okay with that. She immediately becomes his biggest supporter and encourages him to go chase his dreams. I'm not sure how exactly to phrase it, but it felt like wishful thinking on the author's part. If you fall in love with a stranger, they're not immediately going to understand your dreams and reciprocate your feelings. Furthermore, with all the discussion of how "women of the desert wait for their men to come back," it felt like it was reducing women to people whose only purpose is to support a man, and I did not appreciate that message.
I've heard some people call Paulo Coelho's works didactic, and I can see that somewhat in this book, especially towards the end. This perception will be a lot worse if you dislike the book, but even as someone who liked it, it felt like the story was really trying to push a moral at times. The entire book is really an allegory for enjoying the journey and experiential treasure rather than focusing on the accomplishment itself ; once you notice that, it can feel slightly preachy. Honestly, the whole book is idealistic and incredibly positive. Once again, that's really going to either resonate with you or annoy you.
I will say that I am conflicted about the ending. Without giving too much away, I understand how it drives the main moral of the story home, but it also felt slightly defeating of the main character's journey, in a way. I'll leave you with that.
Overall, if you're an optimist or someone looking for hope and you can look past the racism and misogyny, you should give this book a try. You will find insightful quotes and inspiring moments that will really resonate with you. However, if you're someone who hates when people try to preach to you and you don't believe in a higher being, you're going to find this book to be self-righteous and annoying. Make of that what you will.
I will say that I, as someone who believes in a higher being and was looking for a hopeful message, did generally enjoy the book. It is a very philosophical book at its core, and it ponders love, destiny, and the environment around us. A lot of the judgement and beliefs expressed in the book are rooted in a belief that there is at least one higher being out there, one that created and predetermined everything. If you don't believe in any gods or divine creators, you may dislike all the discussion about God and fate. The main character is Christian, but discussions of God are kept non-denominational enough so that readers of all religions can relate at least on some level. I personally found comfort in the discussions of making your own decisions and working to fulfill your dreams; it inspired me to look seriously at the signs scattered around in my own life and further encouraged me to pursue my dreams rather than stay in a familiar status quo.
The book does come off as a bit xenophobic/racist at times, with the main character referring to Muslims as "infidels" and calling a character a "gypsy" (then subsequently describing that character as a trickster.) I also disliked the romantic story line. The main character immediately falls in love with a random woman, and tells her the next day that he wants to marry her. And she's just...okay with that. She immediately becomes his biggest supporter and encourages him to go chase his dreams. I'm not sure how exactly to phrase it, but it felt like wishful thinking on the author's part. If you fall in love with a stranger, they're not immediately going to understand your dreams and reciprocate your feelings. Furthermore, with all the discussion of how "women of the desert wait for their men to come back," it felt like it was reducing women to people whose only purpose is to support a man, and I did not appreciate that message.
I've heard some people call Paulo Coelho's works didactic, and I can see that somewhat in this book, especially towards the end. This perception will be a lot worse if you dislike the book, but even as someone who liked it, it felt like the story was really trying to push a moral at times. The entire book is really an allegory for
I will say that I am conflicted about the ending. Without giving too much away, I understand how it drives the main moral of the story home, but it also felt slightly defeating of the main character's journey, in a way. I'll leave you with that.
Overall, if you're an optimist or someone looking for hope and you can look past the racism and misogyny, you should give this book a try. You will find insightful quotes and inspiring moments that will really resonate with you. However, if you're someone who hates when people try to preach to you and you don't believe in a higher being, you're going to find this book to be self-righteous and annoying. Make of that what you will.
Content Warnings
Minor: War, Islamophobia, and Violence
cornustella's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a really good book! I'd definitely read it again sometime, however I didn't feel completely enlightened after reading it, as I've heard some people say. It helped me get out of my reading slump though! I especially enjoyed that the shepherd came from Andalusia, as that's my home region :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: War and Alcohol
_david_'s review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This is the first book that I truly hate with a passion as it promotes a way of thinking that contradicts my morals. Personally, I've learned to set attainable goals for a more fulfilling life, and that it's okay to change those goals. The book's perspective clashes with that, it explicitly suggests that one's destiny must be a grand goal, and failing to achieve it implies personal failure. It looks down upon those who've chosen more realistic and achievable goals, branding them as individuals who have given up on their dreams.
The main character's naive and extreme approach becomes plain annoying, lacking the nuance of a balanced perspective. Moreover, the portrayal of the two women as mere side characters existing solely to admire the main character didn't sit well with me. It reinforces a narrow narrative.
The endorsement by celebrities who've of course successfully chased their dreams isn't surprising; however, it doesn't resonate with those who value a more present-focused and balanced lifestyle.
Ironically the book does introduce a character advocating for present-focused living, but this advice seems overshadowed by the relentless obsession from the protagonist with his supposedly paramount destiny. I find it funny that Narcissus is mentioned in the prologue, since I find this tale extremely self-centered.
The main character's naive and extreme approach becomes plain annoying, lacking the nuance of a balanced perspective. Moreover, the portrayal of the two women as mere side characters existing solely to admire the main character didn't sit well with me. It reinforces a narrow narrative.
The endorsement by celebrities who've of course successfully chased their dreams isn't surprising; however, it doesn't resonate with those who value a more present-focused and balanced lifestyle.
Ironically the book does introduce a character advocating for present-focused living, but this advice seems overshadowed by the relentless obsession from the protagonist with his supposedly paramount destiny. I find it funny that Narcissus is mentioned in the prologue, since I find this tale extremely self-centered.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Alcohol, and Murder
Moderate: Sexism and Classism
Minor: Gun violence