Sometimes you randomly pick up a book in the bookstore and it seems as though the book fairy, or fate, or the gods somehow placed that very specific book under your nose for a reason. And that is how I felt about The Alchemist. Thus, my judgement may be slightly partial because this book came along at the perfect time in my life.

I think that one important aspect of this book is that it is told as a fable. As a fable, it doesn’t exactly follow the typical laws of novels. The story is told in very simple, story-telling type style. Also, the story may seem a bit hyperbolic, or un-real… but that is okay. Remember those fables from childhoood with animals as characters? Well, The Alchemisty doesn’t have talking animals, but does have a very verbal wind and many other real-world rules are broken for the sake of telling a story that passes on a lesson. And pass on a lesson it does… The lessons are not only told in spoken form, as in “To realize one’s destiny is a person’s only obligation,” but are also exposed through the struggle and journey. One example happens toward the end of the story when …

This book holds a special place in my heart. I may have never taken on an English major if I had never read it. For that I am eternally thankful to Santiago and Paulo Coelho. I think this is a great book for anyone to read, even if you are not at a crossroad in your life (because you’ll be prepared for when you are). I think that if you understand that this book is a fable and read with an open mind and heart then it will be a greatly enjoyable experience you will not forget.

The Alchemist presents a simple fable, based on simple truths and places it in a highly unique situation. Brazilian storyteller Paulo Coehlo introduces Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who one night dreams of a distant treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. And so he’s off: leaving Spain to literally follow his dream… -Publishers Weekly

Entry Filed under: 4.0 stars, books
July 17th, 2005