A thought....

I suppose I should ask the question since it occurred to me. What do you think about Fatima's Personal Legend? and her treasure? Does Coehlo suggest that there's similar value in hers, even though she was much less active in pursuing it? What does it say that the Personal Legend of the one woman we really see is fulfilled by meeting a man who finds her? Whereas as the men all have to do and pursue, sometimes travel at great lengths, to realize theirs?

The Alchemist Part II

As I wrote the title out for this post I found myself pondering the choice of the book's name. I like the name, The Alchemist, but at the same time the book could easily have been called something else. The alchemist played a key role in Santiago's journey, but so did several others. Would the book have been as popular if it was called Santiago? The Shepherd? The Quest? The King of Salem? The personal legend? What do other people think? I don't normally question an author's title, but in this case I find it intriguing because the conciseness of the story means the title has to have real meaning.

As for the story itself, I found it to be a charming little tale with lots of lessons and a happy ending. I enjoyed reading the book, but it's easy to see why it became so popular. Coelho's universalism appeals to people in all walks of life, all religions, all times. It is a feel good story that rolls multiple religions, mysticism and psychology into one sweet little package that appeals to most people. I of course do not agree with many of the religious implications made in the book, but I did find it intriguing. I appreciated the story and enjoyed reading the book. I'm actually glad it was on the shorter side though because in my opinion to draw it out would have made it stale, sappy and not nearly as good a story. Good job on Coelho's part, keeping it brief.

Honest truth here, I nearly laughed out loud at the end when I realized the treasure was buried right where the story started. It was one of those bang head against the wall moments while shaking one's head and laughing. Poor Santiago! I did appreciate that he actually found a real treasure and the implication was that he could go back and marry the girl he loved. So often the "treasure" in a story is figurative or a lesson learned and it's nice to have the hero discover an actual treasure for once. The beauty of it though is that he gained so much else in his journey to find it. If nothing else the book was a good reminder that God does work all things out for our good and that He is teaching us valuable lessons along the road of life as we strive for our own eternal treasure.

Alchemist 2.0

Just finished. There's lots to talk about--lots of quotes and ideas that could be pulled and discussed in detail for agreement/disagreement/synthesis with my Personal World View*. But that seems a bit exhausting to do on a blog. So, I'll just stick with some general comments:

Yes, there was plenty to disagree with, to question, to be suspicious of swallowing whole sale, but there was a lot that I liked. Often I feel so critical and perhaps cynical (or at least feel as though the world is) that I don't take time to dwell and celebrate on the good. I feel like culture (and sometimes myself) is too cool, too blasé to enjoy that which is supposed to be inspirational. And my cheesiness radar goes off like I was near a stack of Chicken Soup books...

But, sometimes, I think, it's nice to have a straightforward story that uses philosophy and ideas in a direct manner rather than subtly so that people can ignore them. It almost seems similar to what The Dark Knight does with the Joker as the embodiment of "an agent of chaos"; Batman himself self-consciously manipulating public personas so that people can have some inspiration in their lives, so that they can believe in something bigger than themselves.

Maybe that's a stretch; maybe I'm in a cheesy mood. Either way, the book made me happy that there are authors/people like Coelho who's ultimate goal seems to be to encourage others towards gen

*I didn't see all the capitalization until the second part since I listened to the first part. It did make me giggle--but I often use it to distinguish between truth/Truth, literature/Literature, etc., so I guess I can't judge too much.

Tis finished

"He still had some doubts about the decision he had made. But he was able to understand one thing: making a decision was only the beginning of things. When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision."

This quote almost made me love the book. It was just very true. I hate making decisions and dealing with the unknown. But it always turns out interesting.

However, I'd like to point out and this might have to do with the translation, that this quote is very wordy. Like so much so that it seems like bad writing. My workshop would have slashed this book to bits and it would have been probably half as long. :) There were also a few places where the next thought didn't make since. Once, when the boy is thinking about the pyramids and that he'll find out more the closer he gets, his next thought is about the king and the breastplate. It doesn't really follow.

I have marked at least ten places in part two that bugged me for some reason or other. But, to be honest, I don't feel like typing out each bit and then why it bothered me.

I get why people dig this book. It encompasses all religions and spiritualities so that it won't offend anyone. God here is a general god, not necessarily the one we all pray to. At least that's how I read it.

The prose is stilted in several places and goes on and on about things that really are just not that interesting. The boy's heart and the boy talking was like reading a sermon. In fact the whole book felt like a really long sermon. And for something I didn't really agree with.

The capitalizing of Personal Legend, Tradition, Soul of the World, etc., really bugged me. And I can't really explain why except that it seemed weak. To me the point of fiction (which this is) is to tell a story and let the reader take from it what he/she will. This book beats you over the head with philosophy and doctrines. I rolled my eyes more than a few times when reading it.

I like the idea of a journey tale. I'm all for those. New places, new experiences are so much fun to read. The desert and crystal store, were interesting.

"It's in the Bible. The same book that taught me about Urim and Thummim. These stones were the only form of divination permitted by God. The priests carried them in a golden breastplate."

I googled the stones and they do appear in the Bible (with the priests in the old testament mostly) and also in the history of Joseph Smith (founder of Mormanism). I can't tell how or if they were used for divination in the Bible. Maybe Chris can enlighten us with that Bible major of his?

In general, the love at first sight with Fatima? That whole section infuriates me. That romantic love (because that's the love it's talking about) is the most important thing in the world. Yes, love, in all its forms is huge. But to look at someone and love them instantly is either extremely rare or false. "No need for words." It made me like the boy and his story even less.

Santiago never really endeared himself to me. I felt bad for him when he was beaten, but it wasn't like I expected him to end up too badly. Nothing long lastingly bad can happen to this kid. And he is still sorta full of himself. Maybe that's just me.

Good quote: "It's not what enters men's mouths that's evil," said the alchemist. "It's what comes out of their mouths that is." So true.

"And he saw that the Soul of God was his own soul. And that he, a boy, could perform miracles."

Okay, I know God, using people, can perform miracles. But does God have a soul and is it ours as well? This didn't sit right with me. Thoughts??

So your treasure is in your own back yard. Well, maybe a little more complicated that that. I'm fine that he got his treasure in the end and the girl, presumably.

I'm glad I read it. Since it is such a big deal. Now if I'm at some party and people are talking about it, I can be an informed participant.

And I realize that I approach these books differently from the rest of you. With the writing workshops and such, I see it like a writer. I hope that doesn't annoy any of you. My brain is now programmed like that.

Till Devil in the White City!!

Next Book

Okay, even though I've pretty much talked with everyone. I'm making it official. Our next book is The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. Here's my proposed schedule; let me know if it's not going to work for any reason.

8/8 - Prologue and Part I
8/15 - Part II
8/22 - Part III
8/29 - Part IV and Epilogue

So, a week late, but...

I finished Part One (I know, you would think if I chose the book I would be more timely about reading it), but I am really liking this book so far. I agree with Emily and Sarah about the strong Christian ties with the sheep/shepherd and Otherwordly characters who direct Santiago towards his treasure. I agree with Sarah that I am still a little leery about the spiritualness of this book, since I have read one other book by Paulo Coelho and am pretty sure that he is not a Christian, but I think that all truth is God's truth, and there seems to be plenty of truth in this book.

I really like the whole thought of one's Personal Legend. This is something I believe so strongly in, and I think it is true a lot of people start out when they are young with strong dreams and desires of what they want to be and do when they get older. However, like the Baker, as you get older, things get in the way and sometimes it seems easier to do what one is accustomed to verses striking out into something unknown. However, I think God really calls us to stretch ourself out of our comfort zones and go on travels to discover who we are, who He made us to be, and what He made us to accomplish. And this takes a lot of courage to strike out into the unfamiliar and uncomfortable. Yet, at the same time, it is something that makes us the most fulfilled.

I guess I partly like Santiago because I can kind of relate to him. I have always felt like I have wanted something more in life and that is important to go out and discover our "treasures" and personal story. It is tempting at times to blame the world and think that is it against us when something bad happens (like when his money was stolen--he wept because God was unfair, and because this was the way God repaid those who believed in their dreams). It can be easy to blame God when things go wrong, but I admire that he ultimately got over that and didn't stop him from pursuing his ultimate goal.

I am a little unsure of all this omen business and the rocks, but I think it compliments the story in a way because it is supposed to be written like a fable or fairy tale, and so in fairy tales often things happen that are very ominous and represent which way the heroine/hero should go. I think that is also why this story is pretty didactic, Eden, and pretty obvious about the point it is trying to make. I really am liking it, though, and can't wait to see what the treasure is, too. I, of course, hope it involves lots of pretty jewelry, so he can go back and marry his one true love. :)

Part One

Okay, i think it has to do with my translation which is crap. I think if I could read it in the original Portuguese, there would be an improvement. So, taking that into account, I will not comment on the style of the book which in my version is rather stilted and monotonous. I blame Alan R. Clarke, translator.

I like fable and allegories. Pilgrim's Progress and the mystery and miracle plays from the medieval times, I've always enjoyed even if sometimes they seem a little silly. Sometimes a little too 'in your face' with what you are supposed to believe or take from the text. Didactic or preachy. But I've never been annoyed by it.

The first adjective that came to mind as I read it was 'self-important.' Either Coelho thinks the world about himself or he's overdoing it to make a point about something I haven't figured out yet.

Example: "It's a book that says the same thing almost all the other books in the world say," continued the old man. "It describes people's inability to choose their won Personal Legends. And it ends up saying that everyone believes the world's greatest lie."

Okay, did that bug anyone else? I interpreted that as "Well, I will do what all the other books haven't done." Or "I am better than all the other books." Or am I looking too much into it?

Another like it: "If he ever wrote a book, he thought, he would present one person at a time, so that the reader wouldn't have to wrorry about memorizing a lot of names."

Thank you, shepherd or should I say, Mr. Coelho.

I find The Alchemist didactic. Telling me what I should think. The old man, the king is long-winded and says nothing that is at all life-changing. But that could just be me.

The boy's attitude gets to me as well (but maybe he will grow in character and this is the stuff he grows out of)

"He was sure that it made no difference to her on which day he appeared: for her, every day was the same, and when each day is the same as the next, it's because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises."

Isn't he the know-it-all? Judgmental. So a simple life is a lack of appreciation of life?

"The sale of his sheep had left him with enough money in his pouch, and the boy knew that in money there was magic; whoever has money is never really alone."

I really hope he grows out of that one.

"Most of them he had read in books, but he would tell them as if they were from his personal experience. She would never know the difference, because she didn't know how to read."

So, let's lie to the girl he loves and also judge her because she hasn't learned to read. Is that her fault?

What was the point of the old woman who interpreted his dream? I mean, even the boy thinks that she doesn't tell him anything except to make literal the dream. I thought that seemed weak story-wise.

And the old man with his wisdom. I get that he pushes the boy to make a decision. But what does he do? Takes one-tenth of the boy's sheep for payment for a little advice? I don't get that.

One quote I did like once I thought about it: "In the long run, what people think about shepherds and bakers becomes more important for them than their own Personal Legends."

I think sometimes we can be talked out of our hopes and dreams by what others think. Not that all our dreams and goals will ever be reaches, but it's good to have them anyway.

Hopefully a lot of this will make sense by the end, but I'm frustrated at the moment with the story as well as the characters.

A Shepherd and a King

I have to admit when I first obtained this book I was rather in the mindset of a long epic tale somewhere along the lines of Lord of the Rings. Instead I found myself rapidly devouring something that appeared only slightly longer than The Old Man and the Sea. Despite the length, I found myself easily drawn into the world and life of Santiago and enjoying the boy's adventures from the very first page. I love sheep and have always found great peace in the 23 Psalm so I love that he begins as a shepherd. His love and care for his sheep is beautiful and genuine and establishes Coelho's hero's character right away. His love for the merchant's daughter also seemed pure and simple to me and I'm eager to see if anything will come of it despite his journey out of Andalusia.

All throughout the first part of the story I was struck by the numerous Biblical references. Coelho's religious background is made quite obvious from the shepherd images to Melchizedek, King of Salem, to the references to a greater force guiding us. I recognized Mechizadek immediately, am familiar with his brief and mysterious presence in Genesis and found Coelho's use of him absolutely fascinating. Using a real, but little known historical character was very clever. I also enjoyed reading about the boy's inner struggles and personal journey. I love that this is a story about an actual journey and a personal journey at the same time. It adds layers and depth to a relatively short and simple story. I am excited to see where this story goes.

I felt I could really relate to the talk about struggling to follow one's Personal Legend. Having struggled a lot over the past years with my own personal purpose, this story really speaks to me and those feelings. When Santiago's money was stolen I felt as discouraged as he did and then wanted to cheer him on when he kept going, seemingly so strong when others would easily give up. This was another example of his strength of character. Finally I cannot finish this post without writing the quote that grabbed me on the first page and made me smile, "He told himself that he would have to start reading thicker books: they lasted longer and made more comfortable pillows."

Jeremy Irons Can Read Me the Telephone Book

but, it was a little tricky to focus on just listening and not doing other things at the same time. And I can't go back and get quotes this way, so take what's in quotes as a near approximation of the text.

When I was looking at this book before we started reading it, I noted that one review likened this to Johnathan Livingstone Seagull, so I've been listening to it with that lens. Everything seems to be read as allegory--or maybe not allegory so much as just general spiritual advice. So far most of the aphoristic teaching seems okay, but I'm remaining leery until I've finished reading the whole thing.

Some things I like: "It's the simplest things that are the most wondrous, and only the wise understand that;" the World's greatest lie is that we lose control and think that Fate dictates our future; "Sometimes people say things so strange you don't know how to continue the conversation;" "Alway ask an objective question, but try to make your own decisions."

Some things I'm not sure of, especially the personal legend. Now I believe that God created each of us on purpose for a purpose, so there is some resonance. I like the boy's/the shepherd's thought that "If God leads the sheep, surely he'll lead a man." Seems pretty Biblical with all the sheep parallels, and the angel/king with the breastplate that gives him the two stones I think is an OT character (although I'd have to look up where, plus I don't remember Abraham giving anyone ten percent, but again, I'll have to look it up).

What I'm not so sure about though is the idea that "When you really want something, the universe conspires in your favor" and "conspires in helping you achieve it." Maybe I'm too suspicious, but that sounds a bit like The Secret (or what I know of it, haven't actually read it). Send good vibes out and good vibes will return. Now obviously one catches more flies with honey than vinegar, but I don't think that one can count on the "universe" giving you something just because you really want it.

But, I'm looking forward to seeing how this progresses and what sort of spirituality is being espoused in the book and then taken up by so many readers of late--our world is desperately hungry for some Truth. Plus, I'm quite curious to know what the treasure is. I feel like it's not going to be money and then we're going to have a Merchant of Venice type problem getting the gypsy her ten percent.

if you're at the itunes store

you can get the alchemist for free. i assume it's audio. but how weird is that??

The Alchemist

Okay, I was looking at the book and there aren't really clearly defined chapters. Though there's no table of contents, it does seem to be split up into two parts though with the break about a third of the way in. So my suggestion is that we read and discuss Part One by next Friday (7/11) and that we discuss Part Two two weeks later (7/25). Maybe as we're reading, there'll be an obvious spot to break for the Friday in-between, but unless anyone has issues with that schedule...

I've been interested in reading this book for awhile, but was quite surprised to see that it was published over a decade ago! Clearly, it's time.