Reviews

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

ginarocher's review against another edition

informative reflective 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? It's complicated

1.0

alexcirce's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.0

rham_1's review against another edition

4.0

Every time I open that book I remember that amazing music "The Lonely Shepherd", reading this novel gave me a peaceful aroma, a very calm adventure with a good feeling of wisdom, you will love all the characters you will meet, starting from the king to the alchemist. However, the ending was a little bit irritating, and somehow cliché, at least according to 2019. Still, can't wait to read it again!

apriltrepagnier's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

5.0

This book is just stunning. Beautifully written, excellent movement, and I spent a good part of yesterday contemplating my life, my heart, and my personal legend. I wish I had read it sooner; of course, the conspiring universe would probably insist it was right on time. 

dnietoperafan's review against another edition

4.0

I really did enjoy this book. Some people don't agree with it, but I believe that you can rescue its morals and style. I read The Alchemist in Spanish so that it would be close to its original language, Portuguese; this really helped me fully grasp the fable-ish style that Coelho gives his story. It makes it super easy to read and to understand its messages.

The theme of the Personal Legend and the Soul of the World really spoke to me. Of course, you can't just rely on destiny to make yourself happy and succesful, but having optimism and trusting what the Universe already wrote really takes a lot of the pain and anxiety away. Not everyone will agree with the morals Coelho portrayed, but I believe that there will always be something to be taken with you when reading this types of books.

So even though many people did not enjoy reading The Alchemist, I believe you should give it a chance and take away what you think might help you in your life.

aura_34's review against another edition

5.0

The book Alchemist encourages us to follow our dreams, follow omens, follow what your heart says, speak the language of the world and connect with the soul of the world. Santiago a shepherd boy from the Spanish province of Andalusia dreamt that a child is saying to the boy that there is a treasure in the Pyramids of Egypt. He dreamt it all in a church, under a Sycamore. He travels and travels to find his treasure and to meet up with an old dream interpreter, an old king, a thief, a crystal merchant, an English man, a camel driver, tribal war men, Arabs, Fatima, and then the Alchemist. He learns a lot from all of these people and reached the Pyramids in the end. But he didn't find his treasure but the knowledge of the world and its people. And later he realizes that his beloved treasure that he searched for all these days was under the Sycamore, over which he slept on in Andalusia.

itsyourgalyazza's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious sad fast-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

I enjoyed it but it felt overrated for me. I was a bit put off by the author's self-important introduction and never really got over it. But it's a beautiful classic story.

hlrusso's review against another edition

inspiring

4.0

alberte0403's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

mirabrinkman's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious 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? No

5.0