Recently caught up with a book I'd been intending to read for a couple of years: Paul Coelho's The Alchemist. And loved it. Was in the mood for something magical in the way of a fairytale, a folk tale, a parable or the like, and this fitted the bill exactly. Refreshing, wise, entertaining.
Thought I was being very perceptive in finding a similarity in tone to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince (an old favourite), until I discovered a reviewer had been cited on the back cover declaring something very similar. Oh well, guess that just reinforces the point: If you liked The Little Prince, there's every chance you'll get a kick out of The Alchemist too.
4 comments:
I read the alchemist a good few years ago and loved it, Paul. Another one we both like, what the hell's going on!
Paul:
I confess that I was intending to read this book, but it was always too far down the list from my other books. I still look it over every time I'm in the bookstore, so thanks for the brief review.
On my site, I made that comment about the author's age only because of the length of time it takes to find a publisher, the time it takes them to consider the book and then, if I was to get very lucky, the time it takes them to publish it. I've been to a few talks where first time authors discuss their experiences, and I decided I was too old and too impatient for that route. If only we could go around again, wouldn't that be grand?
Happy trails.
Paul Coelho never stops posting on the Book Readers site - currently he's publishing sections of a new book... Personally I think he's just trying to drive me crazy although it could be that he likes writing.....
Sooner or later I shall have to read The Alchemist.... it's a world conspiracy to get me to read it.....
Dunno, Gary. This planet ain't big enough for the two of us. We can't keep agreeing like this.
You're right, Swubird; I sometimes think it'd be great to do the whole show again with the benefit of hindsight. (You'll have to bring the Alchemist up on your TBR pile, I reckon.)
*evil cackle* The next part of the plot involves hijacking the world's supply of chocolate and holding it hostage until you've read it, Jane. *hideous snicker*
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