The Alchemist

by Paulo Coelho

[inlibrisveritas]

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho can be described as inspirational fiction. Also others have called it a life-changer and an eye-opener. Overall the book is very short and very quick in pace, so it's not surprising that you may finish it in one sitting. The length does not detract from the story however as everything is answer and there are no plot holes. The story reads some what along the lines of a fairy tale type of novel but I doubt that the younger readers would really enjoy it all that much (ages 15 and younger I mean). The over all plot is one of a religious and spiritual experience for a young boy who wishes to seek out his of his life's treasure and so he sets out from his home country to those foreign to him. Of course as typical with fairy tales there are trails to over come, love that is found, bad guys to fear, and the treasure to find; and also as typical with modern fairy tales it ends happily.

I gave this book a 3 out of 5. I'm not sure what made me pick up this book really except that the cover nagged me in the back of my mind. I'm not really a religious person and can be what is consider a pessimistic so you can see why it gets only a 3 from me where as many people will give it 5's for it's message. I do agree that the book is very good and well written, and that the message is one that people should take to heart even if they are not all that spiritual. However I guess you can say I was disappointed in it, i suppose I was expecting something different. I think this is the kind of book where you either love it or it is just another okay book. If you do give it a try I'd suggest borrowing it from the library instead of buying it seeing as how short it is, unless you just like to have you're own personal copy.