Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

[Erudite]

Book: The Alchemist
Author: Paulo Coelho
Genre: Fantasy, New Age Fiction
Suitable for: anyone over 12
Pages: 167

My sister gave me this book and warned me that it was "new agey". She's right. It's a good book, but you have to realize what new age fiction is like and go with the flow so-to-speak. The book is about an educated shepherd who, on his way to meet the girl he'd like to pursue as a wife, meets an old man, who introduces himself as a King. This king comes to all who are looking to fulfill their "personal legend" and he helps them on their way how ever he can. This "help" turns the shepherd in the complete opposite direction and sends him on his way to look for treasure.

Throughout his search, he continually learns lessons of life and of building his own personal legend, through what happens to him, what he chooses to make of what happens to him, and what has happened/ is happening to others. We see these events and his interpretation of these events and can learn much the same things from them.

I was especially impressed with the time in the desert when the boy learns to listen to his heart and how doing that teaches him. It strikes home and as I put my own beliefs on that possibility and know that I could be better about listening to my own "heart" for understanding and even prophecy. The boy's journey and accomplishments and choices are enlightening for all of us because we each come to similar "crossroads" and have to make decisions about resting on our laurels or moving forward to make gold of our lives.

I recommend the book. I think that each person who reads the book would get something completely different from it. It's the kind of book that would have new meanings, based on life experiences, each time it is read.