So the whole time I'm reading this book I felt that it
read like a fable. And it wasn't until I came online that I saw that
it technically is a fable judging from the title posted here on the
internet. My book didn't have the subtitle of "A Fable About Following
Your Dream" on the cover. So that explains a lot. And like most
fables, there is a lesson to be learned in this book.
Santiago is
a shepherd who has always had a want for traveling the world. After
some strange dreams, he consults a gypsy to help him interpret them and
she sets him off on an adventure to find treasure near the great
pyramids. Along his journey though, he'll meet several interesting
people and have several mishaps. But he'll learn the true meaning of
finding himself and what his dreams in life are.
Santiago is an
ok character. He's a pretty smart guy even if he does spend most his
time running after sheep. But I do think that the lessons this fable
imparts come a little too easy for him. He doesn't seem to struggle
much in the mental sense, just the physical when he's robbed or beaten
or the other things that befall him. And the people he meets always
impart lessons to him or teach him new things in life. And to an
extent I think that's true when you compare it to real life, but the
lessons aren't usually as obvious as they are presented in this book.
The
journey itself was interesting. I found it well paced although not
exciting. But I thought the lessons and symbolism to be a little heavy
handed. If you don't understand anything philosophical don't worry
about reading this book, it will be handed to you. And I think that
ruins the message a little bit because there's nothing for the reader to
figure out themselves. I'm not saying the tone needs to be mysterious,
but it doesn't need to be dumbed down to quite the level that it is.
There are also a lot of different terms that the author uses to present
his beliefs in this book and those seemed a little cheesy as well. I
think it would have been more professional to not title ever thought or
symbol in the book.
I would call this good light reading when you
need something positive. Since this book is about pursuing your dreams
it can be inspiring. It just it spelled out so easily for the reader
that it loses some of its charm and interest in the telling.
The Alchemist
Copyright 1993
167 pages + reader's guide, etc.
Review by M. Reynard 2013
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