Who here has read the Alchemist?

I really enjoyed it too. But I do see it appear on these lists of Books People Never Finish, or Books People Irrationally Hate. I don’t know why it triggers some people.

I have been “rereading” listening to the Jeremy Irons reading. Very good.

I never finished it - may need to try again

What I read was great, though, not really sure why I quit reading it

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But I do see it appear on these lists of Books People Never Finish, or Books People Irrationally Hate. I don’t know why it triggers some peopl

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I was not a fan, and not for irrational reasons.

Look, I understand if some people find a lot of inspiration in it. I think that's great, and to each their own.

But from a literary perspective, I did not find it to be a very good or compelling story. It's a self-help guide masquerading as a story.

For instance, the protagonist never really encounters any real obstacles or faces any real challenges or danger. I mean, technically he does, but there's never any true conflict or narrative of his transformation. If there's a challenge, it's solved by the time you get to the next chapter.

I'm hoping it reads much better in the original Portuguese.

From a self-help perspective, it was really just the cliche "the treasure was inside you the whole time" message. For me, that was a pretty ho-hum revelation.

And lastly, the oft-repeated (not to mention inexplicably capitalized) phrase "Personal Legend," struck me as so forced and overused that I was surprised it wasn't followed each time by a registered trademark symbol.

I have. I read it shortly after it was released in the 90s. It's funny you mention this book, because I was just thinking about a part from it the other day, when the character was tricked by a con-man in Tangier.

I remember the protagonist was a Spanish man who traveled to Egypt, but I can't remember why he did. I do recall him getting beat up when he got there.

My favorite book of all time, I have read it 100s of times , have the collector book and the audios . The amazing thing is I learn something new every time I read it. It is such a great story with fantastic life lessons and philosophy . Very thought provoking yet very entertaining.
Sincerely, Fatima