The Alchemist
Written by Paulo Coelho in 1988
The Raccoon: A shepherd boy journeys to Egypt to live out his Personal Legend, learning the secrets of alchemy along the way.
UNMASKED: The Alchemist is celebrated as one of the most inspiring works of fiction of all time due to its central theme of following one’s individual purpose. Santiago, the young protagonist, certainly proves to be an inspiring role model through his unending persistence and undiscriminating kindness. Yet, while the former has led to critical acclaim, the latter actually composes the core of the story.
The Alchemist is not a tale about pursuing your Personal Legend, nor, although Coelho says otherwise, does the novel reflect the author’s belief that the thing one seeks has been inside of him all along. The Alchemist is a dissertation on love.
All of these lofty metaphors lead to the actual words on the page being filled with archetypes and cliché conversations regarding wisdom. However, a strong story keeps the action flowing and the characters grounded enough to make The Alchemist far more than just a sermon.
Strengths:
- Scenes of Santiago connecting to the universe and of him teaching others are amazingly written and worthy of cinema.
- I was left entirely satisfied with the ending and uplifted by the book’s lessons.
- Coelho’s view of love is honest and inspiring.
Weaknesses:
- One of the characters is nothing more than a religious plot device, whose presence detracts from the rest of the novel.
Rating: 17/20 omens
Ideal Setting: Read this if you are ever losing faith in love or spirituality, or when your life depends on your ability to transform into wind.
Love your take on this book.
ReplyDelete