May - The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Chosen by Marilyn - average score 5.1
Meeting on Friday 11th May at Nick's
![Picture](/uploads/7/7/7/4/7774990/1333733531.jpg)
Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy, has a dream about finding a treasure in the pyramids of Egypt. A gypsy woman and an old man claiming to be a mysterious king advise him to pursue it. "To realize one's destiny is a person's only obligation," the old man tells him. "And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
Bookworms' Verdicts
John's note: I try to record each person's review but then get caught up in the discussion and forget to write. I also start a comment but don't finish it then can't make sense of it later. So if you find you get a miserly sentence while others get whole paragraphs that's why. You can fill out your contribution by going to the Book Blog and adding a comment there
Matt
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Disappointed. The blurb talked about a "Life changing book" but not for me. A good story up to a point and liked the open and honest approach. But got lost when the desert and the wind become characters. Was it really so deep that I just didn't get it? Mixing in other legends and stories didn't add up. Liked the character of The Alchemist. Wanted more of a story.
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5
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Jackie
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A religious book and supposed to be one of the top books. Was I going to be enlightened by the end of it? There were lots of nice sayings and truisms that sound very wise but how many of them are actually true? Not enlightened and didn't like any of it.
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3
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Nick
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When I read the preface I thought - Not for me! One of the worst books I've ever read. What is it - a novel, a parable, a self-help book? The author is so pretentious and full of himself, but I have learnt something - a crappy book can sell 50 million copies. I HATE IT!
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1
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Angela
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I loved the Alchemist - I think I may have read it before - long, long ago; since it felt very familiar.
It was enjoyable and interesting on several levels, firstly it was a good 'yarn', I needed to know what happened to the boy. But it also gave much 'food for thought' - philosophical, religious, scientific and cultural; it kept my mind very busy! It raises many questions: it encourages us to 'follow our dreams', and listen to our hearts and yet at the end -we are left wondering whether, we are actually being advised to appreciate what we already have at 'home' ...? I also loved all the foreign travel and culture stuff, being in the desert and at the oasis.... a bit of a travel brochure too ! |
9
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Ceri
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All the characters speak "profound" statements. Why is Santiago always referred to as "The Boy"? The book is full of symbols and signs that need interpreting; you almost need a glossary to explain everything. Not a good work of fiction. He steals from Aesop's fable - the man, the wind and the sun. It is not a profound book, in fact it is just pretentious. Quite pleasurable to read but wouldn't recommend it.
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5
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Lisa
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Gutted, because when I started it I thought I'm going to love this book. Set in Anadalucia, so I knew the sights and smells and so initially I enjoyed it but then it bombed out. Most of these truisms and wise sayings and thought are bollocks! Some parts were interesting. The author rips off lots of well known stories and is just too self-satisfied. As for all the wisdom - no thanks.
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2
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Sarah
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Didn't come to the book with any pre-conceived ideas and read it simply as a story or fable. I enjoyed the way it conjured up images and places. I'm not religious but not put off by all the sayings and religious references. Found the constant theme of fate interesting.
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8
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Tony
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Fascinated by the book. The central character was Melchizedek (Name means- "My King is Righteous") . He was the King of Salem and a Priest of the Most High God. He appears in the story of Abraham in the bible and gives Abraham his blessing and Abraham gives him a tithe of his possessions. In the bible he is also seen as an pre-figuring of Jesus.
He continues to appear throughout the story. I identified with the themes of listen to your heart and nature and that we are just part of a whole. In our modern life we don't take time to stand and stare in the way Santiago did. If we did we would have a better appreciation of God's greatness. "Where your treasure is, your heart is also" was one of the sayings of Jesus so the idea of seeking this treasure resonated with me.
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8
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John
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Agree with all the statements about how self-satisfied and pretentious the author is. Many of these so-called wise sayings are meaningless. But I was reminded of part of "The Golden road to Samarkand" (James Elroy Flecker"
THE MASTER OF THE CARAVAN : But who are ye in rags and rotten shoes, You dirty-bearded, blocking up the way? THE PILGRIMS : We are the Pilgrims, master; we shall go Always a little further: it may be Beyond the last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea, White on a throne or guarded in a cave There lives a prophet who can understand Why men were born: but surely we are brave, Who make the Golden Journey to Samarkand. Life is a pilgrimage or journey where we are seeking something, but in the story the crystal seller will not make the journey to Mecca because he doesn't want to be disappointed. If we find our treasure what then? Does Santiago's life peter out after finding his treasure? |
5
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Marilyn
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