The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a novel that is meant to strike readers with a plethora of emotion and is often considered life changing. While the simplicity of the book makes the novel accessible to most readers, it is also a deterrent and keeps away the life changing sensation for advanced readers.
At its core, The Alchemist is a fantasy novel following a boy who aspires to visit the Pyramids. The story stays true to this genre as mystical events and incredible characters appear, not to reveal any spoilers, but characters with unhuman powers are present. However, Coelho expresses his characters in such a manner that the reader accepts their absurdities. Said characters last for a very brief time and often enough don’t really pull enough importance from the reader. This is a flaw that Coelho easily could have solved by flushing out his story and characterization but instead jumped from minor important event to minor important event to major event.
The book is short. The book is so short that when you finally feel as if something grand is about the happen, it’s over and all the mystical events are over too. I commend Coelho for writing a book that can be both accessible and life changing for younger people, an experience that only readers will understand, but whether or not it is worth the read is another situation all together.
Those planning to give this book no consideration as a piece of work won’t truly be missing out on anything important. A story that has been simplified to the point in which teenagers were calling it too simple will certainly make more advanced readers turn the other cheek. Recommended for very young audiences, the book definitely will sway their lives and possibly evoke a lot of emotion. The story’s theme is a bit more philosphical and may require an older mind.
“My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer,” the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up at the moonless sky.” Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams.”
— Paulo Coelho
In its portrayal, The Alchemist is very powerful. The quotes, although simplistic enough to be understood by young readers, are powerful and even exemplary of a great writer. Coelho truly writes a masterpiece that just cannot be respected by advanced readers due to its simplistic themes and methods. Yet, this might not be a bad thing.
A story that provokes hope, change and love, no other easily accessible novel has been capable of causing an equal magnitude of emotion. Don’t underestimate The Alchemist, the themes are enjoyable and groundbreaking to nearly all readers and the experience will resonate for quite a long time.
