the_scrivener_named_bartleby 's review for:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

4.0

---

Is there such a thing as an "aggressively inspirational" book? It's not necessarily a bad piece of writing, it's just that it's what keeps this from being a five star book. Sometimes it just gets a little heavy-handed with its spirituality and messages. I would still recommend it, it is a very feel-good piece of literature but sometimes, every sentence tries its damnedest to load itself with aphorisms about life and happiness and how to to live to the fullest. It's so chock-full of that optimism that you almost become desensitized to it. All told, though, it's probably fine if you're feeling down and out and want a book to help change your life and perspective.