Reviews with content warning for Violence - L'Alchimista

Reviews tagging 'Violence'

L'Alchimista by Paulo Coelho

56 reviews

carojust's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-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

This was an inspiring read, and written like a fable. There's so many moments of wisdom, spoken along the theme of listening to your heart and fulfilling your personal destiny. The Alchemist isn't the protagonist, but rather a young shepherd who learns about these life lessons during a long journey.

You'll enjoy this book if you're in the mood for something more lighthearted, inspiring, and thoughtful.

Content Warnings

gatogato's review against another edition

2.5

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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: Complicated

(contains spoilers) right off the bat, the islamophobia, xenophobia, and the blatantly racist stereotypes of romani people were very unnecessary. for the rest of the book, i can understand why people like it so much but it feels like it’s trying too hard to be profound. it is interesting to see what lessons santiago learns abt the universe throughout the story, but when it’s in practically every line it loses its impact.

also the ending when he finally reaches the great pyramids felt so rushed!! he’s spent years trying to get to this point just for it to be described in less than 7 pages out of the whole book.

and his “relationship” with fatima could’ve either been expanded on a lot more or just left out entirely, there was just no depth. like y’all have known each other for two seconds what are we doing here. i really wanted to like this book more.

Content Warnings

hue's review against another edition

3.25

reflective

Content Warnings

lycheeteareads's review against another edition

4.0

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

Part of 'BTS' member rec list.

Content Warnings

applesaucecreachur's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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.

Content Warnings

hefftbundle's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous challenging inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

A nice read with some nice sound bites. Didn’t realize it was a spiritual book, but that’s on me. I do love me some talk about signs and omens. I DON’T love me some cultural/religious slurs, though. Made for a really odd read.

Content Warnings