Review of "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho

Characters

• Santiago: Santiago is the protagonist of the novel, he is a poor, Spanish Sheppard who is desperate for something exiting to happen to him. When he is introduced to the idea of finding a treasure he leaves everything behind him, his whole life to pursue this adventure.
• The Englishman: The Englishman is also an explorer of the world, trying to find out if he is fit to become a great alchemist since his wise mind inspires Santiago on his quest. He lends him some books to read on their way to the great Alchemist.
• Fatima: Fatima is a beautiful girl who lives at an oasis far in the desert. Santiago falls in love with her on his way to the pyramids. For a long time he stayed at that oasis so him and Fatima got to get quite close. After a while, he asks Fatima if she will marry him but Fatima would prefer that he finishes his journey before getting married because most of the men that leave, never come back. When Santiago finds the Alchemist, he mentions to Santiago that ‘True love never gets in the way of one’s Personal Legend, if it does, it is not true love’. After his long trip, he came back to Fatima and they got married.
• The Alchemist: He is considered to be very powerful. He lives in another oasis in Egypt. The Alchemist dresses in all black and uses a falcon to hunt as a game. He is also in possession of the Elixir of life and the Philosopher’s stone which in the end, if given to Santiago.

What I particularly liked about this novel was that comedy and love was added into it. If it was only adventure, maybe only boys would want to read it. And if it was only philosophical the whole way through, adults would be more suited for reading this. He wrote it in a way that many different kinds of people will read it. Another thing that I liked was that he started the book kind of dull but as it went on, it got more and more exciting and that is not what you would expect from a novel about Personal Legends and Wiseman. One part that I didn’t enjoy was the beginning. It was too long to start with. He got into the story quite a bit after the beginning so getting into the book was hard as the start was very long, introducing Santiago and his life style.

I would recommend this book to either young adults or Adults because kids would not be into this kind of novel. Young adults are developing so reading this might be a change for them and they will find it very interesting. Adults would definitely like this book because it is inspiring and there are a lot of life lessons in it.