Having read ‘The Alchemist’ the Editors believe it, like no other, symbolises the journey of life and is therefore relevant to the ideal of a school ‘trip’.
Let me say one thing first. This is no grand, epic novel, littered with obscure adjectives. This is no
Dickensian tale of lust, social commentary and wit, although it does contain elements of these properties.
Conversely, it is an extremely simple story, charting one boy’s progress through life, and how he aspires to ever greater goals. But it is every bit as effective, moving and poetic as any novel one could care to name. significant characters, serve to underpin the morals and messages that are so strongly conveyed to the reader much more effectively then any more intricate structure could.
Because in the end, this is a book with only one real message, follow your heart and your dreams.
We of the modern age pile far too much scorn upon such simple, idealistic ideas. But what this story
Indeed, the simple writing style, basic story, consisting of perhaps five brings out is a yearning for a better existence, a more magical and less cynical one. Any book that can draw such strong emotion is surely a worthy one. Do not read this book expecting wonders of prose, although
Coelho’s writing is beautifully poetic at times, stark yet effective, “His hands were abraded and exhausted, but he listened to his heart. It had told him to dig where his tears fell”.
Perhaps Coelho’s greatest achievement is how The Alchemist truly does make you appreciate the beauty of life, how the wonders here on this Earth can equal the ones in
Coelho’s short tale. After reading this, it is much harder to take what we have for granted. I cannot commend this story enough, and it is testament to
Coelho’s writing skill that he can make such a moving tale out of such simple ingredients, and in such a short space. Sensational is the only word.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho