OnlineBookClub.org

Please use this topic to post your overall opinions of the September 2014 book of the month The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

What do you think of the book? Do you recommend it? Why or why not?

On my to-read list. As soon as I finish the Stand I am going to buy a copy ((8

I can't wait to reread this book. I read it once in high school for a project over summer. It left a huge impact on my life and changed how I view the world today. It is an amazing book that I would recommend that everyone read at least once.

The Alchemist is nothing less than a classic!

I'm reading it right now!

i just joined the group and, coincidentally, i read this book about 2 weeks ago. should i go ahead and put my overall rating of the book here for the ease of compiling statistical ratings and then create a new post in this forum to write a full review? Also, where can I find the October 2014 selection? Thanks for your help!

Smorris1219 wrote:i just joined the group and, coincidentally, i read this book about 2 weeks ago. should i go ahead and put my overall rating of the book here for the ease of compiling statistical ratings and then create a new post in this forum to write a full review? Also, where can I find the October 2014 selection? Thanks for your help!

You should post your review about the book right here, on this thread. Also put in your rating of the book.

The book for October is Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn:

October book

I had never read The Alchemist before and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I've always loved stories that have an Arabian Nights type of adventure about fate and destiny, ever since I was young.

I always felt strange when I head that classic quote, "when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it." I felt angry that this supposed source of wisdom was offering false hope, knowing that it would be accepted as wisdom because it is what people want to hear.

After reading the book, I still feel conflicted about this central idea. It's a book that teaches trying, trying, trying when sometimes we need peace and acceptance. We have to know when to move on, and go in another direction. But at the same time, it's a beautiful book, and the power of trying and intuition is undeniable. The trail of meetings that Santiago has with people he learns so much from is also beautiful, and something I would like to emulate... we can learn so much from the people we meet along the way to our supposed destinations.

Although I rated it 3 stars I believe it should be 3.5 stars. It is an excellent read with some interesting lessons/messages. I don't think you can absorb it all in one read through. I read it a few years ago and I fully intend to read it again, soon I hope. I have to say though that I enjoyed his book Manuscripts from Acura more and that book had so many more words of wisdom in it.

I just finished this book and all I can think is "Wow". The message in this book about perseverance I think are the most poignant for me and I could completely relate to the times when the boy was too discouraged to continue. I will be giving this book to my teenage son in the hope that it will encourage him as he enters adulthood and begins pursuing his own legend.

This book and author was recommended to me by my son. It started a path of wonder and the enjoyment of books and reading that he has carried on throughout his time in school and adulthood. The book is amazing, as well as the author. I like to research the life of the authors I read and Paulo Coelho, has had an interesting life! I wrote to his email about the book and how much my son enjoyed it and he actually sent back a very nice email.

I thought it was going to be cheesy and very boring, but I'm finding out it's actually very interesting :'D. The morals and story are great. The only thing I seem to dislike is the constant repetition of the word 'sheep' - couldn't he use synonyms more often, like 'flock'?! Anyways, it's surprising me. I was told the story a few times by my mom years before because she likes it quite a lot. I went and rented it and she keeps telling me that once I'm done with it she wants to re-read it xD.

I agree with CatGitane. I was expecting something more along the lines of a fairytale with lots of magic.

Right, eh? It's actually very fun and intriguing, but I'm at page 71 and it's starting to get boring, see a bit too childish... I hope it'll go back to what it used to be at the beginning . Otherwise it'll be a long trek through Reading-Egypt, haha!