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puttingwingsonwords's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
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? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Islamophobia, Racism, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Violence, War, and Xenophobia
Minor: Death, Alcohol, and Drug use
booksthatburn's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Santiago is a shepherd who has a dream and travels to Egypt on the basis of that dream. He processing the world through the idea that everyone has a "Personal Legend" that must be fulfilled, a concept that is both insightful and useless. It's mostly wielded to explain bad things by saying someone must not be taking actions in alignment with their Personal Legend, and that good things are from pursuing it.
I am reading a translation, so it’s possible that it’s more dazzling in the original language, but the version I’m reading is flat and boring. People think things, do things, then think about how they did things. It’s plodding and just shy of dull, I only finished it because I’m reading it for a book club.
Santiago is boring and insipid. I don't like him, neither as a character nor as a narrator. Santiago gets to know a few people but the descriptions of them are simple, categorical, and frequently xenophobic. He spends the longest with the crystal merchant, and that was the best section of the book. His interactions with women are flat and centered around his idea of them in a way that was off-putting for me.
I’m not sure how much worldbuilding was actually accomplished, and how much the book relied on me as a reader to know, for example, where Andulsia (in Spain) is in relation to Egypt. It uses the real world for its setting and relies on Biblical references for its fantastical elements, exploring new places through the naïve gaze of its protagonist.
The ending is so breathtakingly simple that I don’t know whether to applaud or be upset. It’s a journey story, which normally I would like, but this just didn't appeal to me at all.
I am reading a translation, so it’s possible that it’s more dazzling in the original language, but the version I’m reading is flat and boring. People think things, do things, then think about how they did things. It’s plodding and just shy of dull, I only finished it because I’m reading it for a book club.
Santiago is boring and insipid. I don't like him, neither as a character nor as a narrator. Santiago gets to know a few people but the descriptions of them are simple, categorical, and frequently xenophobic. He spends the longest with the crystal merchant, and that was the best section of the book. His interactions with women are flat and centered around his idea of them in a way that was off-putting for me.
I’m not sure how much worldbuilding was actually accomplished, and how much the book relied on me as a reader to know, for example, where Andulsia (in Spain) is in relation to Egypt. It uses the real world for its setting and relies on Biblical references for its fantastical elements, exploring new places through the naïve gaze of its protagonist.
The ending is so breathtakingly simple that I don’t know whether to applaud or be upset. It’s a journey story, which normally I would like, but this just didn't appeal to me at all.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Vomit, Death, and Racial slurs
lenni_sc's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Die Erzählweise durch die Hauptcharaktere basiert stark auf dem Glauben an einen Gott (unabhängig der Religion) beziehungsweise einer alles erschaffenden Hand. Schafft man es über diese Tatsache hinweg zu sehen, eröffnet die Geschichte dem Lesenden lehrreiche Einblicke in die Gestaltung eines zufriedenen Lebens abseits konventioneller Vorstellungen.
Für mich persönlich hätte es den starken Glaubensbezug in dem Buch (insbesondere in der zweiten Hälfte) nicht gebraucht. Ich kann aber verstehen, dass dieser vor dem Hintergrund der Handlungsorte und auch der Hauptperson durchaus von Bedeutung ist. Auch als Person die diesen Glauben nicht unbedingt teilt, bietet die Geschichte Möglichkeiten über den persönlichen Lebensweg und Entscheidungen zu reflektieren sowie das Vertrauen in sich selbst zu stärken seinen eigenen Weg zu gehen um ein zufriedenes Leben unabhängig von der Erwartungshaltung der Gesellschaft führen zu können.
„Warum müssen wir auf die Stimme des Herzens hören ?“ „Weil dort, wo es weilt, auch dein Schatz liegen wird.“
Für mich persönlich hätte es den starken Glaubensbezug in dem Buch (insbesondere in der zweiten Hälfte) nicht gebraucht. Ich kann aber verstehen, dass dieser vor dem Hintergrund der Handlungsorte und auch der Hauptperson durchaus von Bedeutung ist. Auch als Person die diesen Glauben nicht unbedingt teilt, bietet die Geschichte Möglichkeiten über den persönlichen Lebensweg und Entscheidungen zu reflektieren sowie das Vertrauen in sich selbst zu stärken seinen eigenen Weg zu gehen um ein zufriedenes Leben unabhängig von der Erwartungshaltung der Gesellschaft führen zu können.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, and War
juicewrld999's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Not the most enthralling or enjoyable read, but I certainly think it changed the way I will think about my life. Easily digestible philosophy and a quick read. Made me think and aided in my ongoing attempt to take control of my life and my happiness.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, and Racial slurs
red_dawn's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
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