I admit that this book has been sitting on my bookshelf, unopened, for more than a decade. It might have belonged to one of my children — an unread high school assignment no doubt.
One of my daughters and I are on a quest to read all these unread books lying around. I just finished one I found so annoying that I’m not even going to review it. It’s not so much that I don’t want to leave a negative review as it is just being over it altogether.
So. The Alchemist. I wanted to love everything about this book by Paulo Coelho.
- The theme of pursuing dreams is lovely and inspiring
- Taking risks — feeling courageous and persevering in pursuit of a dream is admirable
- Fulfillment, and appreciating what you already have, as a way to happiness is a powerful and true lesson
These themes are beautifully developed by Coelho in the shepherd boy’s journey to find his treasure. The adventure moves at a good clip, leaving the reader not only engaged but invested in the boy’s journey. At the end, I am happy for him and the growth he experiences.
Throughout the story, the boy encounters signs, omens that he is moving in concert with a greater power, but to be honest, I was a little put off by the approach. Christianity, Islam, and New Age platitudes indiscriminately entered the narrative. I wished Coelho had just picked one approach to spirituality and stuck with it.
I enjoy reading all kinds of things — they don’t have to be Catholic (though I admit perhaps recent reviews belie my statement). I feel comfortable and confident in my own faith to read about other world views and religions and neither be offended nor threatened. On the contrary, I find it to be enriching.
This uplifting and delightful story of the shepherd boy’s search for his treasure was interrupted by distracting cliches. It didn’t ruin the story — i very much enjoyed it — but it was an unintended lesson for me in the practice of nuance.
I recommend the book and welcome a discussion if you’re so inclined.
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