Reviews

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

applesaucecreachur's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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

Spoiler

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.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Violence

jossenoynaert's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

tabithar's review

2.0

I wanted to like this book but I didn't. The story is engaging and interesting but the underlying mysticism message felt like a bait and switch.

jackmayne's review

inspiring reflective

5.0

lea_fortkamp's review

5.0

I devoured this simple, beautiful story in a matter hours. It’s a wonderful reminder of why we must keep striving. And so I will.

kimmtty's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I liked the idea of this book. But the execution, certain wording and just overall story and pacing were not for me. I wasn’t exited to continue this book any time I put it down. This book has a great meaning but isn’t engaging enough for me.

dylanhubbard10's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

jordantglasson's review against another edition

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

Perfect.

cobraforhire's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

An aloof kid wanders around trying to find a treasure he’s only halfway interested in while learning about his heart, or some shit. He meets a lady, they fall in love after knowing each other for a handful of hours, and then he abandons her to fuck around with sheep. Not the best book. Read The Little Prince instead.

jammasterjamie's review against another edition

1.0

Absolutely did not live up to the hype. I found it to be simplistic, as if written for a twelve year old, and frankly, kind of boring. For an eighty page book, it was the longest read I've had all year. Fail.