After visiting Egypt and Lebanon, what is your impression about both countries , and about Arabic literature ? Did you read any Arabic novels, and if you did what are the novels you are celebrated more, also the novelists?
The visit to Egypt, in 1987, was fundamental for me to be able to write “The Alchemist”. It was then that I learned more about Islam and about the richness of this country but I learned that when talking to common people, who still keep the ancient knowledge of Egypt in their heart, although not in a conscious manner. I was deeply impressed by the sensibility I found there. As for the Arabic influence in the world literature, you have millennia of great writers and prose, so it will be unfair to single out one or two writers.
Audition
Free eCards
Free Texts
Free Postcards
Free Wall Calendar
Virtual Exhibition
Pirate Coelho
Internet Books
Warrior of the Light
To receive the newsletter :
Previous Editions
Paulo, you said that visit to Egypt was fundamental for you to be able to write “The Alchemist. I have 2 questions:
1] Looking into the past, 20 years after the great success of the novel, what do you think you were not able to express in the book?
2] Do you still keep materials that you wrote but were not publicized in the final version of the book?
Thank you!
Have you been anywhere else in the ME?
I yet have to go and see Egypt.
I hope we can hop there when we are back in Europe.
Egypt is a wonderful country with intelligent and sensitive people. One can learn much from this country, it’s people and it’s ancient culture. It is a country where Islam is not basically misinterpreted or misused.
Nicole, you should stop (not hop :) there on your way back to Europe. You’ll notice a great difference to Kuwait.
Paulo, you visited both Spain (beginning) and Egypt (terminus) prior to writing the Alchemist. I wonder if you visited the geographic centre point of your story, the heart of the Sahara too? Now there is true beauty to behold. A place to learn real lessons, to become enlightened.
Perhaps Santiago’s journey was even more enlightening than your Pilgrimage?
One thing is for sure, I’ll never watch the film version of The Alchemist, for I do not want it to alter my visualization of your truly wonderful and enlightening story. Love, Paul
Arabic culture is a gift, that follows the wind through a desert. Oriental Arts know really how to make it dance. It is unconscious to a lot of people, even far from the sand.
Gratefully.