Reviews - The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel

27.4k reviews for:

The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel

Derek Ruiz

3.62 AVERAGE

yungschibi's review against another edition

2.75

adventurous hopeful medium-paced

ishifishireads's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Some books find you in the most curious of ways. I remember hearing an actress I admired mention Paulo Coelho as one of her favourite authors, and I tucked the name away in the back of my mind—saving it for a time when I was ready to read something meaningful. And somehow, that moment arrived with The Alchemist. Fittingly mysterious, my coming to this book feels just as fated as the journey it narrates.

What immediately struck me was the simplicity and depth of Coelho’s writing. The story is straightforward and almost dreamlike in tone, yet rich with meaning. At its heart, it’s a story about chasing your dreams—what the author calls your “Personal Legend”—and embracing the uncertainty, trials, and wonder that come with that pursuit. It reminds us that the journey is as vital as the destination, and often where the truest treasures lie.

Coelho takes the idea of following your dreams quite literally—our protagonist, simply referred to as the boy, is compelled by recurring dreams that push him to seek his purpose. The beauty of it is that we never learn his name. He is just the boy, and in being so, he becomes all of us. He could be you, me, or anyone who’s ever longed for something more.

It’s difficult to review this novella as one would a conventional novel—because it doesn’t feel like just a story. It feels like something lived. There’s a quiet, almost fable-like quality to it, filled with teachings on peace, growth, faith, and above all, listening to your heart. It draws you back to the basics—the kind of dreams we had before the world told us otherwise.

The Alchemist is a book you revisit more than once in a lifetime. It’s the kind of story that keeps you grounded, that reminds you not just of the dream you once had, but of the wisdom gained in seeking it. A real gem—one I’ll be adding to my personal library in hardback. Undoubtedly a five-star read.