Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - The Alchemist

Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

17 reviews

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.

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torturedreadersdept's review against another edition

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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

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q_bert13's review against another edition

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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.

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cornustella's review against another edition

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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 :)

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_david_'s review against another edition

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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.

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