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28.2k reviews for:

The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho

3.62 AVERAGE


A tale about following your dreams regardless of the obstacles that life puts in your way, because these obstacles are sometimes blessings in disguise. This book argues that we all have a personal story to follow, but as we get older and life’s responsibilities get in the way, we slowly desist from following our true purpose. This book is full of inspiration, it’s easy to read and engaging, and I know now why it is loved by many.
hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Not as bad as I expected. It's one of those tales where the main character learns about life by his interactions with other characters who try and teach him lessons from their own life. Could be compared to The Black Girl in Search of God, Siddharta, Candide, The Little Prince, The Prophet or half a dozen others. I'm tempted to throw This Spake Zarathustra into that list for good measure, actually... 
Anyway, it's quite in substantial, and I only read it because it had been sitting on my shelf for ages and I wanted to send it on its way. 
adventurous hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

This is the most beautiful,wholesome,and inspiring book I’ve read this year! I'm excited to pick it up at different point in my life and see what I get out of it then.
~5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
hopeful inspiring slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A
hopeful inspiring mysterious fast-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

I can't tell what the author's intentions were, whether it was to write a nice little story about following your dreams, or if it was meant to represent bigger ideas. People are calling it a self help book based in the law of attraction, but I thought it was just a simple fable. Overall, it was okay, didn't love it or hate it.

I read this book at what feels like just the right time and it really was magical. I felt like I was a kid being read a story. Sometimes you need to be reminded of the simple lessons in life because they are so important. I just loved this book. “Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.”
adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No