The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (book)

matt · Post by **matt** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 3:46 pm 0

I'm currently reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho a very fluffy and friendly book. Lots fo sheep references. I think a lot of people here would like it.

I'd be interested in hearing any other, similar, recommendations.

matt

Ahchay · Post by **Ahchay** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 3:59 pm 0

I keep meaning to try and get into his books but, after reading Veronika Decides to Die, just can't muster the enthusiam...

I can't decide whether it was the pseudo scientific waffle or the relentless optimism of the book that finally turned me off. Possibly a combination of the two. The discovery, at the weekend, that his books dominate the "new age fiction" section of my local Books etc was just the final nail in the coffin.

I don't know. Maybe I'll try again.

Heart of Darkness wrote:The horror, the horror

Just not yet.

Cheers
Chris

HGFB · Post by **HGFB** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 4:01 pm 0

How about a brief synopsis so we know what it's about Matt? I've never heard of the author

matt · Post by **matt** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 4:02 pm 0

Ahchay wrote:I keep meaning to try and get into his books but, after reading Veronika Decides to Die, just can't muster the enthusiam...

Chris, it could be the translation or the distinct lack of sheep.

matt

HGFB · Post by **HGFB** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 4:04 pm 0

Hmm. Those amazon reviews are a bit of a mixed bag.

Ahchay · Post by **Ahchay** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 4:05 pm 0

matt wrote:
Ahchay wrote:I keep meaning to try and get into his books but, after reading Veronika Decides to Die, just can't muster the enthusiam...
Chris, it could be the translation or the distinct lack of sheep.

matt

True. Definately no sheep in that one

Oh. What the hell.

/me one-clicks

At the very least it'll be a cure for my post-Metroid insomnia...

Cheers
Chris

matt · Post by **matt** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 4:07 pm 0

HellgateFanboy wrote:How about a brief synopsis so we know what it's about Matt? I've never heard of the author

Here we go.

Somebody else wrote:The novel tells the tale of Santiago, a boy who has a dream and the courage to follow it. After listening to "the signs" the boy ventures in his personal, Ulysses-like journey of exploration and self-discovery, symbolically searching for a hidden treasure located near the pyramids in Egypt.

it's quite a simple book but with a hidden depth of spirituality.

matt · Post by **matt** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 4:14 pm 0

Ahchay wrote:At the very least it'll be a cure for my post-Metroid insomnia...

I've still got that too come. (only 20% through it)

I ordered the book second hand from Amazon, when it arrived it is actually new, the spine was perfect. Cheaper than Amazon prices, too. Perhaps Amazon are doing themselves a disservice with their second hand section?

As for the Amazon reviews, it is a fable about spirituality and a lot of hippy-type concepts and as such is not for everybody.

dtj · Post by **dtj** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 6:27 pm 0

Important book, this. Everyone should own it/read it annually.

Different cover art here in the US, however.

No Name · Post by **No Name** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 7:21 pm 0

It's a nice book -- Coelho has written a few others, too, but none better than that one. As for other recommendations, Jonathan Livingston Seagull is not bad: it has a nice message about individualism, and is only short.

g.

matt · Post by **matt** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 9:30 pm 0

I'm halfway through this book now, I've only been reading it since last night in bed and on the bus. I'm taking it slowly and trying to think in depth with reference to my life and current position. It's great. It can be read at two levels I think, one as a kids book and one as a deeper book altogether.

The experience reminds me a lot of The Journey To The West, the Chinese legend on which Monkey is based. There's lot of lessons hidden in that story, but overall it's a fun and involving tale. It makes me smile, which is just what I like to do.

dtj wrote:Important book, this. Everyone should own it/read it annually.

Different cover art here in the US, however.

Any chance of a thumbnail? My cover was very difficult to find on Amazon.co.uk, so I figured there have been several editions.

matt

dtj · Post by **dtj** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 9:46 pm 0

matt wrote:Any chance of a thumbnail? My cover was very difficult to find on Amazon.co.uk, so I figured there have been several editions.

matt

This is the edition I have:

matt · Post by **matt** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 10:27 pm 0

dtj wrote:This is the edition I have:

Whoa there! That's the largest thumbnail I've ever seen.

matt

PFVA · Post by **PFVA** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 4:16 pm 0

HellgateFanboy wrote:How about a brief synopsis so we know what it's about Matt? I've never heard of the author

Matt didn't answer so i guess i will. Paulo Coelho is a Brazilian writer. His books, particularly The Alchemist, are being translated and sold here and in Europe.
The Alchemist is a very cute, fluffy fantasy story of a Spanish shepherd that travels to the old Arabian World basically in search of Hapiness. There is more to it but if i would mention it i would spoil the development of the story as you read it. Go for.
_____________________________
:llama:

matt · Post by **matt** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 4:18 pm 0

PFVA wrote:Matt didn't answer so i guess i will.

I did too! (above)

http://smokey.blackcatnetworks.co.uk/~l ... 5925#95925