Last time I’d read The Alchemist was in 1994. I remember being blown away. It was my first Paulo Coelho book and I’ve since read many more. And I love them all. So when my book club picked it, I was looking forward to reading it once more.
And it was an odd experience.
There were parts I loved and overall, I still liked the book. But it was not nearly as awe-inducing as it had been the first time.
Part of me thinks that it’s important to read this book in your late teens, early twenties. At a turning point in your life. At a time when anything seems possible.
Alas, I guess it’s also important to read it if you think anything is not possible.
Either way, if you have never read this book, it’s a must read. must.
I have to respectfully disagree. I thought this book was awful. It made 2 or 3 good points and was $15 for 95 pages. I read it for book club and felt like I wasted time and money on it.
I read this book about 2 years ago and at the time did not know anything about it. My son had to read it in school and I picked it up after he was finished then my mother picked it up after I read it. We all enjoyed it and had some great discussions about it. I think everyone should read this book.
I’ve been carrying around a copy of this in my purse for the past 2 months. Need to crack it open!
My son brought The Alchemist home from school book week. It just sat around, when one day I was intrigued and began to read it…and I was blown away, just love it. I had my son when I was 40 years old, and he was in late Primary School when he brought it home, so I would have been about 52. Never too late.