Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

41 reviews

margaret_s_library's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War and Violence

alexanderal002's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The Alchemist is a pretty quick read with good pacing. The book focuses on Santiago, a shepherd who gives up his life he knows with the sheep to discover his "Personal Legend."

The latter half of the book swung towards a lukewarm evangelical "trust in God" message, but generally has an uplifting and lighthearted message. I wasn't totally sold on the philosophically feel-good Christian angle Coelho gives in the last half but overall the story has a satisfying character development in Santiago and an ending that put a smile on my face.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Violence

Violent scenes are written in (starting with the Oasis arc) but they aren't incredibly jarring nor are they graphic.

bookswithadri's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and War

iinasomnia's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Alcohol and Racism

icarusandthesun's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

seldom have i read such a wise and thoughtful book. it undoubtedly is 'a fable about following your dream'. it's adventurous and romantic and so peaceful. absolutely enticing! 
the message about following your heart and 'personal legend' was a little repetitive, which made the last third of the book somewhat boring, but the ending was quite satisfying nevertheless.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War

Minor: Blood, Physical abuse, Violence, and Alcohol

poirot's review against another edition

reflective medium-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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Moderate: Sexism, Violence, and Xenophobia

Minor: Alcohol, War, Animal cruelty, and Animal death

melodyseestrees's review against another edition

adventurous challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Racism, Racial slurs, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Death, Misogyny, and War

Minor: Animal death and Violence

e_mm_2's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

2.0

I liked the messages Coelho tried to convey, but overall the story wasn't really interesting to me. I only had two or three instances where I was interested in the story and actually reflecting on what was written. Also why the racial slurs? They could've been left out...

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexism, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Death and Violence

meganpbennett's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

After seeing this book pop up multiple times in a short period of time, I decided to give it a try, as I needed a short book to read, one that I could finish before a book list reading challenge started at my library on September 01st. 

It was difficult to follow, and the main characters having no names did not help matters. The boy isn't a particularly lovable main character, and he's naive enough that it stops being a good thing and becomes a slog. For such a short book with so much travel, nothing really happens. The boy learns a lot of things, but I felt like I was missing half of the story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Religious bigotry, Racism, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Animal cruelty, Violence, War, and Sexism

imaginefishes's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Good life philosophy teachings

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, War, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail