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.