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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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Racism, Racial slurs, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, and War
Minor: Animal death and Violence
greatexpectations77's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
This is like Candide but not fun? This feels like it would be an inspirational book for white men because society has been built to benefit them, so it's not a stretch that the "universe" is rooting for them to succeed. Also, no thanks to the religious parts.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, and War
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.
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.
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, War, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
james1star's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I’m gonna do a short review for a relatively short book. So here goes…
The writing style in Coelho’s The Alchemist is very good and descriptive yet also doesn’t give too much detail if that makes sense?? I did enjoy this book I guess but it’s certainly not one of my favourites. Despite being short I did feel it quite repetitive and certainly some parts could be removed (not the best for a book of under 180 pages) but it didn’t really take that much from it. The storyline is okay, we follow a Shepard boy called Santiago from Spain who has a passion for travelling, he has a recurring dream of treasures found near Egypt’s pyramids, consults a gypsy, meets with a king who encourages him to make the journey so he does so going through Tangier and across the Sahara meeting with many people including an Alchemist - I won’t say anymore because I don’t want to spoil anything. The main theme is to follow your destiny because if you don’t listen to it, your heart, the world, omens, ‘god’ and other spiritual ideals you may lose the opportunity to realise / materialise your destiny. Which is pleasant and uplifting but I’m just a bit ehh on the whole topic. If religious and spiritual content is what you like then you’d properly enjoy it more than I did. Also the ending, albeit a twist and impactful to some, kinda irked me. Also how animals are referenced and treated I didn’t jam with.
In short: I enjoyed the writing and some messages but was just a bit ehh for me - solid 3 stars.
The writing style in Coelho’s The Alchemist is very good and descriptive yet also doesn’t give too much detail if that makes sense?? I did enjoy this book I guess but it’s certainly not one of my favourites. Despite being short I did feel it quite repetitive and certainly some parts could be removed (not the best for a book of under 180 pages) but it didn’t really take that much from it. The storyline is okay, we follow a Shepard boy called Santiago from Spain who has a passion for travelling, he has a recurring dream of treasures found near Egypt’s pyramids, consults a gypsy, meets with a king who encourages him to make the journey so he does so going through Tangier and across the Sahara meeting with many people including an Alchemist - I won’t say anymore because I don’t want to spoil anything. The main theme is to follow your destiny because if you don’t listen to it, your heart, the world, omens, ‘god’ and other spiritual ideals you may lose the opportunity to realise / materialise your destiny. Which is pleasant and uplifting but I’m just a bit ehh on the whole topic. If religious and spiritual content is what you like then you’d properly enjoy it more than I did. Also the ending, albeit a twist and impactful to some, kinda irked me. Also how animals are referenced and treated I didn’t jam with.
In short: I enjoyed the writing and some messages but was just a bit ehh for me - solid 3 stars.
Content Warnings
Minor: Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, War, and Violence
tea_rea's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: War, Violence, Death, and Animal death
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
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
slow-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? No
2.5
I wish I enjoyed this more. It didn’t resonate with me as much as it does with others but it may be due to my lack of religious beliefs and struggle with the writing style. The writing style is beautiful, but just not really my style personally. I thought the length was perfect!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Animal cruelty, and War
gothmiku's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: War
draconia's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Racism, and War
Minor: Violence