It always feels slightly different to read a book that is a worldwide bestseller. I’d obviously heard of The Alchemist (1988) by Paulo Coelho, but I couldn’t tell you a lot about it. Except that I’ve always got it mixed up with Perfume by Patrick Suskind, which I also hadn’t read.
Well, my book group chose this book and I borrowed a copy from my brother Colin, who hadn’t been enthusiastic in his mini review of it. This edition is translated from the Portuguese by Alan Clarke – I don’t know if there are mutliple translations out there. I was certainly intrigued by the atmosphere of the opening paragraph:
The boy’s name was Santiago. Dusk was falling as the boy arrived with his herd at an abandoned church. … an enormous sycamore had grown on the spot where the sacristy had once stood.
In case there are others who didn’t know the plot – it’s about this boy called Santiago who lives in Andalusia, where he is a shepherd. But he dreams of more from life, and can’t stop thinking about a fortune he received from a fortune teller – that he should travel to Egypt to discover treasure.
Off he goes to Africa but not, he quickly learns, materially nearer Egypt than he was when he started. I can’t remember if it’s spelled out, but I’m pretty sure he’s in Morocco – where his money gets stolen by a conman, and he must work for a crystal merchant. He is still determined to raise the money to find this supposed treasure.
Rather late in the day, he does get to Egypt and meet the alchemist – who seems more minor a character than I’d have anticipated from the title. And then it all becomes a mixture of magic realism and an Aesopian fable.
So, what did I think? Well, I really enjoyed the first third of the novel. Santiago is a wonderful character – an interesting mix of determination, hope, uncertainty, and naivety. All of the stuff in Morocco was a delight, and I would happily have read a novel of his experience in the crystal shop – becoming something of a surrogate child to the crystal seller. I’ve never been to Morocco, but I felt rather like I had when I was reading this.
But as the novel moves forward, and Coelho loses any sense of being tethered to the ground, then I lost my affection for The Alchemist. And it’s not even my documented reluctance for magical realism. It’s because the novel tries to become extremely profound, and succeeds in sounding rather silly. There’s an awful lot about following your heart and the truth being in all of us etc. etc., and it began to feel a bit like a thought-a-day desk calendar. It’s everything I kind of suspect the most run-of-the-mill self help books might be. I felt like Coelho’s sensitive eye for character was rather wasted in a series of philosophical truisms.
He’s continued writing ever since, but I haven’t heard of any of the other books. I’d love to try something else by him if he’s written anything that is less queasy. And I can do no better than quoting a line from Col’s thoughts: “A life-changing book, the blurb claims, but I suspect mostly for people who believe horoscopes.”
Finally, someone who agrees with me! I’ve never understood why this is such a top rated book. But good luck to the author. I just don’t like self help sayings (etc) shoved down my throat. Etc…!
Exactly my thoughts.
I’ve actually considered reading this on a few occasions; so many people seemed to find it so profound. I’m afraid (or glad, depends!) your review confirmed my worst fears. Thanks! you’ve saved me some time.
I’m glad to hear that someone else disliked this book, although you liked it a lot longer than I did. I couldn’t read past the first few pages.
This book is the favorite of one of my very best friends. I read it because she loaned it to me but I am afraid I hated it (and a lot earlier than you did). I don’t like books told in allegory I find. And your comment, “it began to feel a bit like a thought-a-day desk calendar” made me laugh. I think it is wonderful that books like this touch so many readers in a positive, life affirming way. But it’s not for me unfortunately.
This book split our book group with the only member who loved leaving when everyone else thought it was twaddle. That said, I did enjoy Coelhos Veronica Decides to Die, but haven’t read anything else by him.
I’ve never actually read him, although my Eldest Child has. I think he was originally enthusiastic but soon got bored, so I don’t think I’ll ever feel the need to read him!
I read this years ago and remember precisely nothing about it, which suggests I didn’t find it the profound reading experience some did… ‘Thought-a-day’ desk calendar did make me laugh Simon!
You’ve confirmed my suspicions about this book. Magical realism was already an element making me believe I wouldn’t enjoy it. The cod philosophy you describe has convinced me.
“It began to feel a bit like a thought-a-day desk calendar” is EXACTLY what I’ve always imagined this book to be like. I fear all his others are just retellings of the same story buried in more allegory. Eurgh.
I hated this. All that cod-psychology made me want to hurl it across the room. And the sweet, sickly sentimentality made me feel as if I were drowning in syrup. But I did read The Witch of Portabello, just to see if it was any better, which was a big mistake, because it wasn’t. If anything, it was worse, because it was written to the same sort of formula, churning out the same sort of pyscho-babble. Yuk!
I read this years ago, but can barely remember anything about it. I liked the comment about “thought-a-day desk calendar”. I haven’t read anything else by Paul Coelho – there are lots of other better, more interesting books to read.
I have this book on my shelf, I think… Either this or something else by him. Really should read it.
I read it many years ago, but remember liking it. I have read several other books by Paulo Coelho, which I like better. I think he is a wonderful author. He writes more in the way of magic realism, a little bit like Gabriel Garcia Marquez – One Hundred Years of Solitude. Although I think Coelho is more realistic and understandable. I have read several of his books and loved “By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept and The Witch of Portobello. He also took on Mata Hari in The Spy.
“For people who believe in horoscopes” = HA! Definitely!! I feel like I’ve seen this book under the arm of every hippie I’ve ever met, and in large part that’s why I put off reading it for a long time. I didn’t want it to “change my life” or “awaken my spirituality”. Even when I did finally read it for KUWTP, it did none of those things. It was cloying self-help masquerading as fiction. A friend of mine (who DEFINITELY believes in horoscopes, and a lot of other woo-y stuff) highly recommends one of his others, Adultery. I haven’t picked it up yet, though, and I’m not sure I will…
I did not like Adultery as much as the other books I have read by him. Having said that, Adultery is more of a realistic book than some of his others, which tend to draw more towards philosophical and magical realism.
Hmm, other than the other readers, I did like the book but I can understand why you (and they) didn’t. I’m also not into self-help books but didn’t consider this one. Here’s my review.
A little later, I also read Brida which I liked a little less, maybe you’d prefer it. ;)
Happy Reading,
Marianne
Glad you liked it! And will bear Brida in mind for a potential future attempt.
I hope you’ll like it. Have fun.
Suspect anyone who likes Paulo Coelho!