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lycheeteareads's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Xenophobia, and Racism
Moderate: War, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Animal death
applesaucecreachur's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.25
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a necessary reread throughout one’s life. For context, my first encounter with the tale of Santiago and the pursuit of his Personal Legend came as required reading between my freshman and sophomore years of high school; I’ve just finished reading it a second time on my phone, on a bus beside my childhood best friend who recommended it all those years ago, the day after completing our pilgrimage to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The Soul of the World sounds different to me now, and even more clear.
Santiago’s is a simple story told with masterful skill. Coelho weaves his own life philosophies into these pages and while they may not land with every reader, they create a sturdy base on which plot points and characters and grow. I can’t overlook the potentially harmful depictions of the non-ethnically Spanish characters, nor of the only prominent female character, Fatima, serving as Santiago’s love interest . These elements date the book and serve to make it less universally relatable. Still The Alchemist remains as a testament to one man’s truth, and in this way, to the truth of many. The Universe hosts many personal legends.
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Violence
heisiiri's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
2.75
I think there are plenty of people who *need* to hear the message of this book, and so it makes sense that people cite it as something that really affected them.
Me, however... the things that this book preaches are either already beliefs of mine (like how we are all connected and we can all influence how good of a place the world is and love, in its many forms, is the most important thing in the universe) or stuff that I find a bit silly (like all the stuff about fate and the very religious stuff). I found this to be a bit of a boring read, and walked away without any major life lessons acquired.
Me, however... the things that this book preaches are either already beliefs of mine (like how we are all connected and we can all influence how good of a place the world is and love, in its many forms, is the most important thing in the universe) or stuff that I find a bit silly (like all the stuff about fate and the very religious stuff). I found this to be a bit of a boring read, and walked away without any major life lessons acquired.
Minor: Racism
The way some of the characters are written definitely seems to be influenced by racist attitudes towards Arabs and Romani people. Reflects the era it was written in.maresuju's review against another edition
Pretty early in the book, the MC has an interaction with a woman who might be Romani (he says that she reminds him of stories of Romani people). This section is filled with racial slurs and harmful stereotypes. The MC is immediately afraid of this woman and accuses her of tricking/cheating him, with no real explanation to the reader. His internal dialogue is pretty gross during this part, too, as he clearly doesn’t think this woman has any knowledge or understanding of the world. This might be a way for him to learn about his own prejudices, I don’t know. But there was nothing in the section indicating that, and what’s portrayed is a harmful and dangerous view of Romani people. This immediately made the book a DNF for me.
Graphic: Racial slurs, Xenophobia, and Racism
Minor: Animal death
parenthesis_enjoyer's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
extremely Orientalistshairah's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
People usually recommend this book to activate some sort of spiritual awakening. I mean, there were some quotes I highlighted and some messages that I agreed with, but it’s more of a simple story with a simple moral.
Minor: Racial slurs and Racism
sapphic_reader's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Sexism, War, and Violence
Minor: Animal death
justagirlwithbooks's review against another edition
3.5
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
A very interesting book about following your destiny and what that means.
Moderate: War, Violence, and Racism
chaoticnostalgia's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
2.5
Moderate: Racism and Violence
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
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Alcohol and Racism