What did you think of The Alchemist by Paolo Coehlo?

I liked book so much that I read it in 3 languages 😂 reading in the two took me longer to finish...

The story progression might be simple, but the meaning to the reader is always different depending on what’s happening to them at that time in their life

A bit of a long winded reply, hope you don’t mind.

A few years ago, I was at Heathrow Airport waiting to go on yet another plane when I realised that I hadn’t packed a book in my hand luggage (my main luggage, in which I’d packed a couple of books, had already been checked in). I went to a bookshop in the departure lounge and started trawling through the usual travel guides, puzzle books, romance novels and the other pulp that one usually finds in such stores. Finally, I found The Zahir by Paulo Coelho. I’d heard of him and I’d heard of The Alchemist so I bought it. I then got myself a coffee, went to the departure gate and settled down to read while I waited for boarding to be announced.

The book wasn’t really holding my attention so I kept pausing in my reading and instead indulged in one of my favourite past-times, people watching. It was during one of those moments when in glided one of the most stunningly beautiful women that I’ve ever had the good fortune to see in real life and not on a fashion show catwalk or magazine. She walked to the front of the seating area and I spent the rest of the time before boarding was announced, debating with myself whether I should go and talk to her. Of course, I chickened out.

Finally, we all boarded the plane and, miracle of miracles, I was sitting next to her. I dumped the book on my seat and proceeded to load my hand luggage into the overhead locker when she spoke to me! I had to force myself not to look around to double check that this vision was actually talking to me.

“Oh, you’re reading Coelho. He’s my favourite author. Have you read The Alchemist?”

It was a five hour flight, in the middle of the night, and we never stopped talking. I had a hire car waiting for me at the airport so, rather gallantly, offered to drive her to her hotel. She accepted. I won’t bore you with the details of our friendship during our time in a foreign land or the relationship that blossomed after our return back to the UK.

The Zahir was OK and I did read The Alchemist. Sadly, I can’t say that I like his work very much and I found The Alchemist to be somewhat pretentious and even indulgent. But one can glean some pretty good quotes from the book. Well, they’re good in that they are conversation pieces. Not good in that I agree with any of them.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it and didn’t mind my ramblings too much.

Did you finish reading it? I had read it many years back and then again more than a year back. I love the part where the conversation between the boy and the alchemist takes place. I’ll have to read that part again. When i had read it the first time, I absolutely loved it, coz here was a book in which they tell you to follow your dreams despite everything. That’s exactly what i needed back then all those years ago, to follow my heart, no matter what.

If you liked this book, you may also like his other books. After the Alchemist, i loved reading Veronica decides to die, and Eleven minutes. Of course, the simplicity of the Alchemist is incomparable.
Happy reading! :)

🤔 I've never read it yet. Any time I see it in a bookstore I remember all the crap I've heard people say about it being less a good organic story with organic character development and real observations about the world and more a random self help book all about using a story to disguise a bunch of feel good quotes and sayings like its AA or something. That's what I've heard anyway...

Mostly I'm convinced it's either a book a person loves or hates.

Regardless if one likes it or not, Paolo Coehlo has certainly succeeded as an author. :)

Anyway, you'll have to tell me if its actually a good read or not. :)

I wonder how many lives he has changed. Betcha he could change the weather if it could read.

I told my friend Maegan she should read this book and she says, you should read [i]this[/i] book. The book of fuck you lol 😂

I am a fan of Coehlo' quotes. The one you mentioned above again, resonates with me. Thank you for bringing it out. It's another gentle reminder for those who want to be reminded of course.

I read it years ago... so many years ago that I don't remember it at all😳

I haven’t read it but I like the quote. I’ll have to look into it.

It like it...a fast read, and probably my favorite of his. I've read most of his books... some are too religious for me, but that's a good one.

im reading it in Spanish. Im at the part where he is at the castle thing after talking to the King.

I found it very meaningful like all of his books

I read it several years ago, but I really enjoyed it.