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Thursday, April 1, 2021

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho a review by Chandler Wang

 

The Alchemist is a classic story about a young shepherd named Santiago, who meets an old king and embarks on a journey to find his "Personal Legend." It's a simple but potent tale about chasing your dreams and understanding the world around you. Santiago's quest is filled with adventures and dangers, and he is continually learning and growing. He begins to understand the "Language of the World," uncovering the mysterious way in which everything around him works. Santiago's classic journey is straightforward, but solidly written. Every conflict and development teach both Santiago and the reader, and each segment of the story brings something that makes the book hard to put down. The book is based on the various lessons that Santiago is taught, and they raise interesting questions for the reader. As Santiago gained new understanding of people and nature, I found myself both learning along with Santiago and remembering various things I had learned for myself. The Alchemist repeatedly provokes thoughts about life, goals, and purpose, yet makes these topics seem not abstract, but clear, real, and tangible. The natural, intelligent way that Santiago comes to conclusions about vague ideas fosters a sort of quiet understanding that manifests both in the story and in the reader's mind. The book gives one comfort that the future is full of possibilities, and one only has to put in the effort to reach them. The Alchemist has a wide range of appeal, and can be enjoyed even among people with highly varied tastes. The straightforward, thought-provoking approach it brings to a classic story makes it a solid choice for any reader looking for a simple, inspirational tale. 8.5/10.

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