My question is, since it’s been 20 years that you wrote that masterpiece, is there anything in the story that you would change, considering that those 20 years for sure brought you more learnings and experience?
To be honest though I can’t answer this since this book is part of my personal path, reflecting my vision of the world in a given moment. Of course, I can speculate upon what I would change… But rather than doing that I focus on writing new books – this is my way of remaining true to myself and respecting life.
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And we respect you, my dearest Paulo Coelho, and your art and books that reflect your beautiful Soul and view of the World.
Thank you for being there.
LOVE,
THELMA
the digital book is swift and easy, expedient, but it is driven by a fuel of finite quantity that is transitory at best and easily cut off–electricity
if civilization falls and there is no electricity, there will still be the book, the codex, the scroll, the stone wall
someone will re-invent the press
information and culture and ideas will always flow with an electricity of its own, driven by the sparks and impulses that fire in the human mind
besides, a website doesn’t smell as wonderful as a new book
but they are one and the same flowing
The way you speak of your book as “part of your personal path” is very refreshing, I think. It reflects a much more “process oriented” rather then “product oriented” view of yourself in relation to your work.
When I write, I am aware that, if ever I want to sell my writing, I will have to chop off a piece of it, wrap it up in a sort of package and label it a “finished book.” That is fine with me. But that says nothing about my personal relationship to my writing, nor about what the act of writing means to me. Take any one poem or any one story, and it is merely a piece of my work, a fragment, as you say, “reflecting my vision of the world in a given moment.” But writing, on the whole, is a process, a practice, much like Yoga, TaiChi, or maybe Archery: an art form in which I search out and rediscover myself daily new.
Thank you for sharing with us these stepping-stones (these books) which make up your personal path.
Sincerely,
Savita Vega
The Alchemist is such a wonderful book. It has really touched my heart, and that’s not always such an easy thing to do. I plan to read 11 minutes next. Thank you so very much. I have ADHD and do not usually finish reading most books I pick up and yet, I could not put down The Alchemist. It’s been a long time since that has happened for me and I feel better about life thanks to your writing.
It is my hope that my writing touches others the way yours does, in its own special, inspirational way. If interested my book is “One Boy’s Struggle: A Memoir – Surviving life with Undiagnosed ADD” It can be found on my website or Amazon. It’s also the story of a boy becoming a man and finding his personal legend. I understand fully how one writes what is in their life at that time and moves on to new writings through new experiences.
I am American and currently live in Germany. I am going to try to make it to Frankfurt Saturday; perhaps you will still be there? I will bring a copy of your book to hopefully get your signature :) I will also bring a copy of my book for you, if you like.
Hope to see you there!
Bryan
I remember two years ago in the on-line book review of the Alchemist with B & N you did say that you forgot to have Santiago return to the Gypsy woman. Also I’m unsure if Mafe knows that there is a short prologue to the book.
regards
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=w_6_3Jb7OEE
Fassbinder’s Lilli Marlene.
Since you had it in the Book Fair as a …background music.
Love,
Thelma
And we respect you, my dearest Paulo Coelho, and your art and books that reflect your beautiful Soul and view of the World.
Thank you for being there.
LOVE,
THELMA
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