In many ways I agree with Coby. I was disappointed in the lack of character development, and not just with Santiago. I think that the boy was only mentioned by his proper name once, and that was at the outset. Being referred to as ‘the boy’ really didn’t help me to identify with him. I also struggled with the flatness of the Alchemist. I realize that his purpose was to act as the sagely guide for the boy, but the fact that he always had the answers didn’t sit well with me. Why does he always have the answers? What is his background? How did he get to be as wise as he was?

However, I did like the fact that the young man had to travel all the way to Egypt in order to realize that his happiness was at home where he had started. I agree with Coby that the worldly riches he discovered upon arriving at his starting point was disappointing. But the ending did resonate with me. How often do we think that the only way to be successful is to pursue a distant goal, only to find when we get there that we are more happy at our starting point? Often times we need to step away from our current circumstances in order to appreciate them.

Overall I am happy that I read the book. I think it was good enough to read once.

Coby's take on The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Well I shall be the first to give my thoughts on the book. My general impression is: MEH! I was fairly underwhelmed at the book. I found it to be a bit trite and bland. I think Coelho rushed through everything so fast that there really wasn't any character development. I really didn't care much for Santiago as I never really identified with him.

Another point of irritation for me was the major focus on the 'personal destiny' and that if you fail to make the choice at a young age soon you will loose it and regret it forever. It has a rather fatalistic approach on life and I disagree with that approach. Essentially, if you don't make the right choice as an adolescent you are going to live in regret for the rest of you life. I don't see how that is something positive that we would want to convey.

Also, did Santiago have any real trials? He seemed to have one trial but it didn't last longer than what seemed to be an hour or two before the solution presented itself. This had the affect of driving me further from his character in that, from my life experience, my trials last a long time and generally no solution is quickly presented.

I know that this is rushed, much like the book was, but I feel that really the 'treasure' of his personal legend should have been the experience and in the end the knowledge he gained outweighed any possible gold and jewels he could dig up. But alas, Coelho throws to us the most irritating kind of ending where the treasure is where you started and didn't bother pointing out that the real treasure was not the gold.