The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho

1988

May, 2023

5/10

The ideas in the book are good. Overall, I am reminded of The Little Prince. However, like The Little Prince, The Alchemist feels like a children's story.

The message is essentially that everything will work out in the end: life will give you signs, and everything has a purpose. I can't say that I agree with this message, and the fact that the story just happened to have everything that needed to happen occur at the exact right time was too perfect.

I can't help but feel like this book sends the wrong message. While it is positive and full of hope, life is not so simple. If the story was at least deeper — not a children's story — then maybe I wouldn't mind the message.

Nausea puts The Alchemist in its place, and On the Heights of Despair gives the life perspective that is missing. With that said, the book was not bad by any means. It is simply too hopeful, optimistic, and perfect. Though I can appreciate such an outlook on life.