Aidan Reads reviewed The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Review of 'The Alchemist' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
2.5, It had its inspiring moments but overall was full of farce.
poche, 190 pages
French language
Published Feb. 14, 2103 by J'ai Lu.
The Alchemist (Portuguese: O Alquimista) is a novel by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho which was first published in 1988. Originally written in Portuguese, it became a widely translated international bestseller. An allegorical novel, The Alchemist follows a young Andalusian shepherd in his journey to the pyramids of Egypt, after having a recurring dream of finding a treasure there.
2.5, It had its inspiring moments but overall was full of farce.
Surely I'm missing something here, but this short fable felt super contrived and barebones. The characters didn't feel alive, it felt like they were carrying out straightforward actions to drive home a message that feels cliché even for 1988. I think the notion of pursuing something you want relentlessly is a little outdated, as is Fatima's role as "woman who pines for the main character to return".