Overall Rating and Opinion of "The Alchemist"

[Star88]

I think I learned to appreciate it a little later after I read it. I was over analyzing it at first, so I didn't really understand it. But when I finally got it, I appreciated the message. The story itself was engaging and the imagery was beautiful.

[TheWriteAngel]

Loved the book! Would definitely recommend!

[Insightsintobooks729]

I loved The Alchemist it reminded me a bit of the Celestine Prophecy series in that both teach lessons through story.

[BiljanaH]

Alchemist is one of my all-time favourites. It's one of the books that I will often give as a gift or recommend.

[Harrygx3]

It's a really nice book that makes one eager to travel and explore the wonders of our universe. I loved reading it and it made me very excited to travel to the pyramids and see them up close

[Juliapjetri]

First when I read the alchemist it was strange. But then you can feel the depth of thought in that book. I loved it.

[Wynand du Preez]

It saddened me deeply to see so little written about Brazilian author Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist online. One of the great classics and a personal favorites, it is a must read for all on their journey through life !

The Alchemist was first written in Portuguese way back in 1988 and soon became an international best seller. By early 2016 it had been translated into ,as near as makes no difference, 70 languages and has even been made into a film and theatrical adaptations.

The alchemist plot follows a shepherd boy on his journey to find and accomplish his destiny. Oddly relatable and universal at heart the story takes you on an emotional roller coaster.

The Shepard boy comes to a point in his life where he realizes he wants to do 'something' . Something is eating away at his soul and he needs to tend to it. So he sets on a path through the deserts of Egypt on his way to the Great Pyramids of Giza and meets a few interesting people on the way. He learns step by step how life works through ups and the downs letting himself be guided by nature and his spirit at heart.

It has been called a "charming story", "a brilliant, simple narrative" and "a wonderful tale, a metaphor of life" by countries all over the world. A must read for all seeking clarity or perhaps inspiration in this journey we call life.

[Sierraadaviss7]

Everyone should read the alchemist at least once if not 2-3 times. It really was apart of my spiritual awakening and gave me an understanding of this life. It has helped me through my journey and made
Me feel connected with the universe and how to open my eyes to certain things. This book is under appreciated.

[Helen_Combe]

I loved this book, I loved the message and the style of writing.

[Ellis Cantor]

The Alchemist is didactic, preachy, and simplistic. I know many people like it, so maybe you will too, but I prefer to have at least a modicum of subtlety, complexity, intelligence.

[jaishree chauhan]

I'm reading this book.

[garima597]

The Alchemist is a great inspirational book with a pinch of history of egypt. The main character that is the shepherd is a normal boy who finds his legend. This book gives me inspiration to find and execute my own legend that is to review great books.

[Kareka88]

I listened to the Audio version and I think I'm glad I did because the story line did get a little slow at times. The message I got out of it was that we think we lead such mundane lives and we need to get out there and search for our "treasure" but then after all that searching we finally realize our treasure is at home the entire time.

[Rafaella Michailidou]

I read "The Alchemist" when I was 19 years old. I have to say it was a life-changing experience for me. The way this book is written makes you realize things that you constantly ignore. I also love how easy it was to read and understand it. Paolo Coelho is a great writer who wants to speak to everyone through his books. I totally recommend it, it will open up your eyes and make you a "better you".

[Debjani Ghosh]

I had read The Alchemist a while ago. When I had just finished it, it seemed to me a divine piece of literature. However, after the initial euphoria subsided, it seemed just an okay book to me as I found it too preachy.