Your Opinion on the Narrative Structure

by Paulo Coelho on June 22, 2009

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{ 156 comments… read them below or add one }

mmi September 12, 2009 at 11:53 am

so much;)
I love you, thank you.

JJ September 11, 2009 at 10:05 pm

I was so intrigued to learn about the author of The Alchemist that I went searching on the “innernets”. This is how I found this site. I have not yet finished this book. I am up to Santiago meeting the Englishman and crossing the desert. This story reminds me of The Arabian Knights, the structure that is. There are stories within stories in both. In the Alchemist. I like how everything the King of Salem says comes to pass in Santiago’s actions afterwards. For example The King tells Santiago of the story of the boy who goes to learn the secret of happiness, and is told to walk the place with a spoon filled with oil. The moral within that story the king told was to pay attention to the world in addition to the spoon filled oil. This same moral was not practiced by Santiago when he first goes to Africa, and that is how he gets robbed; he busy distracted by the marketplace and NOT paying attention to his precious “oil” or should I say, the money he received from selling his sheep.

Jennifer Estellore September 1, 2009 at 6:00 am

The opening setting of the novel stays with me to this very day. The ruins of the church, the sheep grazing in the grass, and the boy waking up from a dream. As I read, I felt a strong connection to Santiago. When he dismissed his dream as mere dream, and not as something that was to change the direction of his life, I agreed with him. When he scoffed at the idea of seeking out fortune tellers but going to one nonetheless, I reflect with amusement that I am like that, too. When he laid out plans for his future; assessing his assets and reflecting that he’s gone to more places than most people had in their lifetime and while fulfilling a wish to go to places, he’s accumulated for himself sizable asset, I admired his tenacity. When he entertained the idea of settling down and marrying the daughter of the merchant, I couldn’t agree more with him. He well deserved it. Read by different peoples coming from different cultures, there are some common threads that bind us together, and done of them is the virtue of hard work. Hard work will pay for a stable future. But as Santiago went along listening to people who brought him one clear message, that he should follow his dream, I empathized with him in his moments of doubts and confusion. When he finally decided to embark on that longest journey of his, I was rattled. The boy was courting danger, he could lose everything, and that’s not how we’re being taught. We’re taught not to count the chicks while they haven’t hatched yet. We’re taught not to put all our eggs in one basket for the fear that everything might be swiped away in one stroke of luck. But there was the boy, setting his eyes on the pyramids of Egypt. He floundered many times, gambled everything and lost everything along the way. It’s in this part of the story that I ceased to be Santiago, that I ceased to be in the story. It’s in this part of the story that I was just a reader, following the boy avidly, wishing him good luck. It is in this part of the story I became painfully conscious of what I’m missing out. I felt the hot pang of jealousy, but at the same time, it renewed my capacity to dream.

How do I see the structure narrative of the story? I couldn’t see it with a technical eye. The narrative is simply one beautiful journey for me.

Herison Oliveira August 31, 2009 at 4:00 pm

muito bom mesmo, conta uma história boa e longa em poucas páginas! parabens paulo!

Sónia Martins August 28, 2009 at 12:25 am

Há muitos anos pensei ter perdido alguém que muito AMO, a minha mana, hoje no fim de muito andar, ler, e, principalmente VIVER, sei que irá para sempre continuar a meu lado.
Hoje tento passar para papel a grande mulher e as excelentes memórias que me ela me deixou.
Obrigada Paulo, por, também aí, me ter ajudado a ocmpreender que a transição nâo é uma perda.
A um escritor de excelencia que um dia lhe irá chegar ás mãos esta história. Que apesar de não saber foi o grande impulsionador de mais um livro.
Os maiores cumprimentos de uma pequenina
Sónia Martins

Gabriela Gallegos August 27, 2009 at 11:29 pm

Situaciones de la vida me han llevado a entender la importancia de cumplir nuestra Leyenda Personal… por lo menos ese nombre le pude dar a la misión que nos toca realizar…

De fácil lectura y comprensión… de una gran espiritualidad y fe… de secretos revelados… excelente libro…

Un mundo por descubrir y que nos demuestra que siempre hay algo nuevo por aprender… no podemos decir que ya sabemos todo y que realmente hemos vivido, cuando al aceptar lo mucho que nos falta por conocer, comparado con lo que sabemos, talvezlleguemos a la conclusión de que no hemos vivido realmente.

Saludos.

Hadrian August 22, 2009 at 9:34 pm

If you liked “the Alchemist”, you would LOVE “The Epic of Arya: In Search of the Sacred Light”. It is described as “a Spiritual Journey of Self-Discovery beyond Eastern Fundamentalism and Western Materialism”.

In the Alchemist, Coelho spoke of a boy’s long journey across the miles in search of wealth, a journey which ultimately ends with the realisation that the real and enduring wealth is to be found within.

Abir Taha’s “The Epic of Arya; In Search of the Sacred Light” (www.the-epic-of-arya.com) is the odyssey of the Spirit on earth, a spiritual, inner journey of initiation, self-conquest, and self-discovery which starts in man’s soul and its tragic and endless inner struggle between light and darkness, between the human and the divine. For Arya is both a woman and a goddess, and she suffers as a bridge between two distant shores, striving to reconcile the irreconcilable. Her journey ends with the realisation that true, divine harmony is achieved when man again becomes one, accepting his humanity and embracing his divinity.

anil August 15, 2009 at 11:30 pm

alchemist….its unbelievable book…..mostly i liked the part where the boy talks 2 the girl fatima…..i adore it….
the boy says when i talk 2 dat girl”the whole universe seems 2 exist”..
its like “the feeling is yet 2 sink in”…
please sir tell me “how to see the omen”….many times i tried but not able to see it or seen it wrongly….i have keen interest in learning new things…..because i believe life should not be stagnant…..it should be like flowing water…..

SOL August 11, 2009 at 7:32 pm

El Alquimista llego a mi vida en un momento en el cual pensaba q no tenia opciones.. es increible porque pense.. Porque no lo lei antes.. y la respuesta fue sencilla.. LLego en el momento justo..
en aquel momento estaba destruida espiritualmente.. incapaz de dar nada a nadie.. incapaz de tomar decisiones importantes, simplemente por miedo.. atesoramos tanto las cosas q poseemos q a veces olvidamos lo verdaderamente importante.. La narrativa es sencilla y deliciosa, te atrapa de manera q al terminar de leer quedas con ganas de màs.. He leido todos sus libros Pablo, y todos de una u otra forma son maravillosos.. Pero creo q el Alquimista es simplemente unico.. Me dio el coraje.. el impulso q necesitaba para cambiar aquello q no me hacia feliz.. El principio favorable y la prueba del conquistador demuestran algo increiblemente cierto.. de todo corazon le doy gracias por tan inspirador libro..
ha cambiado mi vida.. la manera como veo las cosas..
continuo mi busqueda.. aun no he llegado.. pero sus palabras abrieron un universo de posibilidades q ya tenia olvidadas..

T.K. August 8, 2009 at 6:59 am

Today I finished reading The Alchemist yet again and each time something new or a different revelation occurs. This time around while reading the book, I reviewed the discussion / questions at the end and one of the questions talked about ‘false hope’ and ‘true reward’ and used Santiago’s interaction with the old man (1/10 for his flock) and the old woman/gypsy (1/10 for his treasure) and asked the question which one renders the true reward and which gives false hope.

I had to go back and read the dialogue again, having not considered the false hope. I also realized that in all these years having the book I never took the time to review those questions.

Thanks Paulo for the discussion questions. Those thoughts to ponder are priceless and valuable.

This book will forever remain a classic timepiece that’s deserving to pass on to future generations!

Marta Adriana July 31, 2009 at 2:38 am

Dearest Paulo
The first time I read The Alchemist I disliked Santiago. I felt quite uneasy when I finished reading the book and the sensation lasted for one or two days. By that time I had already read The Fifth Mountain, Brida, The River Piedra , and The Pilgrimage. I had given a second read to all of them , but this wonderful work of art was condemned to lay forgotten in the bookcase.
Once, at an interview with Juan Arias you said you have no intention to provoke any reactions on your readers, instead you just want to share your experiences. Maybe you don’t intend to, but you certainly do. And I’m telling you this because your books have indeed changed my life, they have touched me so deeply your words are stuck in my soul and always will.
The first time I read The Alchemist I was about to become a walking corpse and I realized later that I didn’t like Santiago because I was envious of him. He had followed his dreams and I didn’t even know which mine were. And he was so courageous and child-like, and wise I couln’t stand his way. That’s why, the shepherd boy laid forgotten in the bookcase.
Several months later I had the courage to face what the book was telling me I didn’t want to listen to. Then it became a gust of fresh air,and a source of childish enthusiasm which guided me, the same as your other books , toward the spiritual stage of a warrior fighting for their dreams. Nothing lived by me so far compares to this. I’m happy battling because I feel alive, part of the world and open to it.
Here your readers are supposed to comment about the narrative structure of the book. Let me tell you , however important it may be I don’t care about it. I don’t care about critics who attempt to diminish both you and us for adoring what you write. The book is a wonderful MASTERPIECE. That’s it.

m August 31, 2009 at 7:55 pm: His Master Voice.

charish July 30, 2009 at 1:37 pm

The book is really very inspiring it can really touch someone’s life.It inspires me in many ways..thanks to paulo.at first, I thought it was just an ordinary book but my friends keep on talking about the book.so,I myself experience how the book teaches us on how to keep on keeping on..:)

Kirk Yape July 30, 2009 at 5:51 am

An excellent masterpiece!je vous aime!

natasha July 29, 2009 at 12:34 pm

Its a awesome book. Never read such a wonderful book that touched my heart. The book teaches us to know and love our nature and also follow our dreams. The book is simply SUPERB.

jouni August 3, 2009 at 3:52 am: “Alchemist” is my favorite.
it gives something what, people like me, very easily lose.
liked very much of books compositions.
in the desert part book have his own melody…you can hear it.

Lena Norman July 27, 2009 at 6:48 pm

Thank you for the opportunity, so I can share my thougths about your book The Alchemist. I can only say one thing about and that is:- thank you so much this book is a gift from God I can´t explain it in any other wordsor in a diffrent way. You have to read it and open your hart and belive those words. The book touched my soul and I started to believe in myself again. I had live my life trough others and for my family and work. not for myself. I have given this book and recommended it to others who are special to me. so i said for me its a grate gift and i want to help share this book because i think it´s realy inportant that we open our harts and care about each other, remind people to dream, bekieving and love. if we can do that the world can be a better place. Love with all my hart

Darina July 27, 2009 at 4:38 pm

I have got acquainted with creativity of Paulo Coelho only one week ago… But also in this time has had time to grow fond of its books. The “Alchemist”, one that I have read for this short interval.
If you read books of it, in my opinion, the great author it is possible to notice that all books are connected by something. I like it. A bias on religion, supernatural, but during too time accessible. Dreams. Philosophical thoughts. Books of this author open absolutely other world in my imagination, and I need to be surprised to this person and its knowledge.In advance I am sorry for lexical errors as I from Russia and in 15 years have not managed to master in perfection fine-English.

jimena July 26, 2009 at 5:48 pm

este libro es verdaderamente una inspiracion para muchos. le da la oportunidad al lector de imaginarse un mundo completamente differernte. le doy gracias a Paulo Coelho por escibir este libro ya que si no hubiera sido por el muchos no hubieramos abierto los ojos a un mundo de aventuras y de conquistas. Sinceramente este libro le da a una la posibilidad de hacer lo que muchos creen que es imposible. una vez mas , El Alquimista es uno de los mejores libros en estos momentos al igual que todos los libros que Paulo Coelho ha publicado.
Gracias por llenarnos de sabiduria, fortaleza, inspiracion y de una u otra manera paz interior.

Atiyeh July 25, 2009 at 10:59 pm

‘The Alchemist’ changed my life…I love it!

wines July 21, 2009 at 11:03 pm

I don’t know there’s a great writer named Paulo Coelho before I bought “The Alchemist”.Thanks for the inspiration, I’m moved after reading this.Continue to touch peoples lives.And thanks for touching mine.Filipinos love your works!!!more power!!!

Hajra July 19, 2009 at 8:09 am

Whatever I could grasp was that ‘The Alchemist’ is about believing yourself,it is about your attitude standing out against all odds.It is not about big bank balances,BMWs,villas,but about that smile brought over by content.Content- that I tried,tried to tread the untrodden path, I tried to dare customs,I tried even if in the process fell & marred my self with dust ,sweat & blood.It’s far better than being one of those timid souls who never attempted for the fear of falling.
Lets end it ‘The Alchemist’s ‘way in Paulo Coelho’s magical words” The book describes peoples inability to choose their own destinies.And it ends up saying the everyone believes the worlds greatest LIE,i.e. at a certain point in our lives,we loose control of what’s happening to us & our lives,believing its controlled by fate,THAT ‘s THE WORLD’s GREATEST LIE.

leone July 18, 2009 at 8:28 pm

i think “the alchimist” is the best book ihave ever read .thanks paulo for this lovely book.

Rakhi July 19, 2009 at 7:56 am: loved the book. Read it 2 times, heard the audio once. I even presented the novel to my parents in India.

Rakhi

Suraj Chouta July 15, 2009 at 10:05 am

Hi, I have never been inspired so much by a novel ever before. My sincere thanks for the insight provided. That was great writing sir.

tita July 14, 2009 at 11:21 am

i haven’t read all your book, mr. paulo…
i had The Alchemist, but haven’t finish read it yet… but i like it, from the first page.
i’ve read half Veronica in the bookstore… in Indonesia title it was said: Veronika Memutuskan Untuk Mati. i was planning to buy it.

Vaida July 13, 2009 at 9:18 pm

Hello to everyone :)

I think I have read all of the books by Paulo Coelho, and yet THE ALCHEMIST is still staying as my favourite. The language, words used, structure is very simple, clear and it is possible to read ‘hidden messages’ easily. And this is what me and my friends like. The simplicity and profoundness of this book. It is amazing how important ideas and thoughts about life comes into the mind while reading the book.I read it many times, and I have to say…that I always change something in my life after finishing the book :) It’s like..you read it, and there is some kind of ‘reminder’ inside :)Wonderful..Thank you for this :)

svitlana July 13, 2009 at 7:59 pm

I started reading the book when i was on vacations to Egypt and finished The Alchemist sitting in front of Pyramides while on excursion to Cairo. It was awesome! Once Golding said: “The right interpretation is the one that rises to the reader the first time he reads the book.” Happy that the surronding tuned my interpretetion of the book in the right way! Best wishes!

Bahruz July 13, 2009 at 2:28 pm

Hello…
First i read Alchemist…It is the book that created all my literature love.But after reading VERONICA DECIDES TO DIE and BY THE RIVER RIO-PEDRO I SAT AND CRIED i decided that ALCHEMIST is not masterpiece of Koehlo.The best book to my opinion is VERONICA DECIDES TO DIE.This one influenced my life style much…Also i read a short novel by Jalaladdin Rumi(Movlana) that was the same ides that was in ALCHEMIST.So i think it is copied out from SUFI tales.
Overall PAolo Koehlo is still my best writer.

Savita Vega July 13, 2009 at 2:19 pm

Just wanted to say, I have been reading this book to my daughter, who is seven, and she loves it! The language is simple, the plot is very linear (with no flashbacks or frames), the characters are easily distinguishable and seldom are we faced with more than two characters at the same time….in so many ways, this book just very readable. The structure is not complex in any sense – even a seven-year-old can understand, at least on a certain level, everything that happens in the story – and yet, at the same time, this book is one of the most deeply profound that I have ever read.

In literature, it is always a sign of greatness when the structure of a book mirrors the underlying message which is at the core of the story. “The Alchemist” does precisely that. In this book we are told that it is the simplest things which are hardest to understand and that true wisdom is actually to be found in these simple things. The core wisdom of Alchemy, for example, is so simple that it was once written on the surface of an emerald. This book is such an emerald: it is small and it is simple in every way, and yet it contains the most profound nugget of wisdom. This book is the Philosopher’s Stone – a tiny scraping from it, the smallest sliver of its infinite wisdom, can turn the crudest incident or experience into pure gold.

The structure of “The Alchemist” mirrors perfectly its message and for this reason alone it transcends the category of mere “writing” and becomes a great work of art. Still, the value of it is even greater than that of any work of art. Most art is essentially temporal; this work is timeless, because the wisdom it contains is beyond time, transcendent of culture and history.

Thank you, Paulo, for this most amazing work. A book that can be understood and enjoyed by a seven-year-old, but which a wisdom that is beyond the ages.

Lady July 13, 2009 at 9:43 am

Dear Paulo,

I´ve read many of your books, the first one was ELEVEN MINUTES, but from all of them…..THE ALCHIMIST is the one I´ve read more than 20 times, the one I always bring with me when I travell….Absolutly perfect, in every way…..
In fact, I´m living my own Personal Legend in the moment I´m writing this, sat in my bed in a foreing country….
But I have to say, that I´ve thought a lots of time how could be a second part? I mean…what happend after Santiago found his treasure? What happend with Fatima?
Maybe a second part is not a good option…I know!!! but….

Well, the last thing to say is THANKS for written this book.

XXX

T.K. July 31, 2009 at 6:10 am: I agree with ‘Lady’. I think somehow that the second part to The Alchemist is known to those who follow their personal legend. I guess its up to all of us to learn what that ‘second part’ entails by following the path.

I just finished reading The Fifth Mountain which brought me to intense tears! I planned on reading The Devil and Miss Prym next, however, I felt the need to revisit The Alchemist after having such an encounter with The Fifth Mountain.

I am and will always be a reader of books by Paulo Coelho. His work touches my soul and reminds me of the ‘good’ that I had chosen to forget. Every lesson on the journey is truly a blessing, no matter how tragic you may perceive it to be! Thanks P.C.

Navid E Fard July 13, 2009 at 9:24 am

I have read this book for four times and try to find another time to do my fifth one.It gives me a massive energy to go further in my life each time.
Thanks Paulo, you are awesome man.

Caboclo July 13, 2009 at 1:05 am

Dear Paolo,

I discovered the alchemist back in January 1995 first edition in french. I bought it because I had to buy a book in the readers club I was in. I thought it was a classic book on Alchemy. It was the first book I read in french being spanish my mother tongue. I have to say that I devoured it in two days. I couldn’t stop reading it. The structure was very easy to read, the way it was presented. I didn’t know all the vocabulary at that time but I could deduce it, thanks to the great redaction. After this book I got caught by your writing. I feel identify somehow in each one of your books. I am now in Scotland and I wish someday we could share a warm and nice talk somewhere around the globe.
Regards,

mauricio ch July 13, 2009 at 12:50 am

very good book ,easy to read an with alon of knowledge

May Tove July 13, 2009 at 12:44 am

Hel Paulo.

I stredto read th book with normal speed, and I found out, no, this is not an usual book, and I stared all over again, reading it bit by bit….

I had a wonderful yourney. And on the top, I found a lot of my own life and thoughts, my dreams, and faith in the future.

Thank you, and a lot of thanks to my boss who introdused me to your writing, by giving me this book as a gift. (The lovelyNorwegia version with illustrations).

Best regards from
May Tove, Norway

Augustus July 10, 2009 at 9:32 pm

Nesse tempo, tinha começado a minha carreira de professor havia poucos anos. Sentia-me um deslocado, um fracassado – não estava a fazer o que gostava.
Encontrei o livro por acaso: na feira do livro de Lisboa vi uma folha de jornal no chão e nela havia uma crítica ao livro e uma pequena biografia sua, do tipo, Paulo Coelho é um autor pouco conhecido que sempre que publica um livro utiliza o dinheiro para levar a sua mulher de férias pelo mundo. Foi sobretudo esta parte da biografia que me chamou a atenção, que me fez sonhar. Partir sem medo do futuro.
Só mais tarde comprei o livro e reconheci a minha vida nele. Eu era um dos que podia estar uma vida a fazer aquilo de que não gostava.
Decidi mudar, mas exteriormente pouca coisa mudou: sentia a mesma tristeza que sentia nas personagens e locais do livro. Depois compreendi que tinha começado em mim um trabalho interior, uma busca interpretativa do porquê das fragâncias dos diversos ventos do deserto.
Soube que provavelmente algo faltava dentro de mim para sentir um tão grande mal estar.
E afinal, o mal estar era o sinal, a aragem do deserto, que me indicava que mais à frente eu iria completar-me.
Muito mais tarde escrevi algo sobre essa compreensão:

ESTRANHA ALEGRIA

Observava-o.

Banalidade típica,
Com o seu café, o seu cigarro, o seu Croft…
Homem de tantas vidas,
Magma de símbolos…

Fumava.

Tentava esquecer, julgo,
Esse calor ígneo das marcas da memória:
A seta que trespassou o ventre celta…
A carícia tácita que alguma vez cessou…
O anel eterno que estigmatizou o dedo da velhice…
E, porventura, a grafia apaixonada que o condenou no tempo…
Anos ante Christum…

Voltavam, no entanto, esses vestígios.
Voltavam, porque os gravara.
Gravara-os, para que houvesse a Sua História
E testemunhasse que, outrora, fora outro
E que esta sua nova cara
Não era senão o porquê da ânsia da sua primitiva busca…

Sempre o vulcão reacende, compreendi.
Sempre o rasto da lava reaviva
As flores e os trilhos devastados…
Não,
Não há acasos em ser o Homem de hoje

Paulo, espero muito profundamente que continue a dar aos seus leitores uma profunda capacidade de auto-conhecimento e de interpretação dos sinais. Eu estou-lhe, sem dúvida muito, agradecido por isso.
Pax

karina July 9, 2009 at 9:15 pm

el libro lo lei hace 8 o 9 años, en esa epoca vivia en montevideo, uruguay y solo soñaba con estar en santiago de compostela.
Para mi tenia una magia increible que no podia contar con palabra.
Hace menos de 2 años me vine a españa y el primer lugar que fui obviamente fue a santiago…. tiene magia, mucha magia,… solo quien está ahí puede sentirlo,… hasta hoy no se que es….pero voy muy a menudo pq adoro estar ahí.
Un beso y gracias.

Heather July 9, 2009 at 6:06 pm

Paulo, you’ve got a style that sticks to your reader like glue. The Alchemist was a “free” iTunes ebook I picked up to listen to while I worked, and the narration flowed perfectly even in audio. The narrator could have been better, but the pace (not only of the speaking, but your writing) was perfect and clear. It’s the simplicity and the journey that makes it just so applicable to the reader.

Thank you for sharing this beautiful story with us!

Heather July 9, 2009 at 6:07 pm: *speaking narrator of the audiobook (why did I say ebook?), not the story’s narration. Sorry for that confusion!

Satya July 8, 2009 at 12:14 pm

Dear Paulo,

Thanks for the workshop. This gives us (your readers) a chance to share our feelings with you and other readers.

‘The Alchemist’…. what should I say about this encyclopedia?

Though I do not have much experiences with the ups and downs in life as Santiago had, but I do feel that the character is more or less similar to mine. The book has become a guide line for me since I read it. After I read ‘The Alchemist’ I started running behind my dreams where as before that I just use to dream and dream but no attempt to achieve those dreams.

Today I have achieved some of my dreams (of course there are a lot more dreams to come true).

What I took form the story is to try your level best to achieve your dreams with ultimate faith in yourself and the ‘Lord Almighty’.

Satya Chunduru

Ina July 8, 2009 at 1:19 am

Dear Paulo,,

The Alchemist wast your first novel that i read. even the narative was quite makes me think twice,,but its all compose and mix in a very good composition..in the end,,that was very gratefull! this Alchemist give me inspiration that we dont have to get our dream faster,,but with the patiently to wait,, do the step to another step,, feeling the atmospher and also the people,, sooner or later we’ll find the may.. It will be the best way for us.. Oh MY GOD,, Thanks for making this novell.. so inspiration for me..

Dijana Bekavac July 8, 2009 at 1:09 am

The Alchemist led me through the same path The Little Prince did so many years ago. Beautifully written, wise and simple.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.
Love,
Dijana

Doaa Jamal July 8, 2009 at 12:48 am

I read the Alchemist..its more than great .
specially it was talking about the Arabs & Muslims, im Arabic girl.

I love paulo Coelho very much..I hope to meet him one day

Thank you for this chance to write our opinion :)

Jesse Taylor July 7, 2009 at 4:44 pm

I absolutely loved everything about this book. It was suggested to me at a book store and I started reading it while waiting for a friend that was still shopping. I was spell bound, completely unable to tear myself away. It answered many questions that I had about aspects of my own life and my journey. I read it all through the night and finished it the next morning only to download the audio book and start listening to it as I drove. ITs absolutely perfect! Thank you!!!

Alexandra July 7, 2009 at 7:27 am

I would like to know about the story inspired you, the one from J.L.Borges and from the collection of nights.I had never had the occasion to read that story from Borges, I was curious about what you took from his story…

Nancy July 5, 2009 at 10:46 pm

I do not find anything wrong with the narrative structure. It is eloquent, flowing, simple, and carries a beautiful story. For me I saw everything through Santiago’s eyes, and had a great adventure.

Catherine July 5, 2009 at 2:13 pm

I think that the book is like a very beautiful melody ;o)

and only three other books have really struck a deep chord
“NO longer at ease”
and “I dreamed of Africa”
and the Prophet…

The Alchemist read like the Prophet would, if we had been following the mans life on that hillside/seasude community, as a boy.

Dances With Crayons July 7, 2009 at 7:01 am: Hello Catherine, I love your expression ‘like a very beautiful melody’ – so true. That is because music is the strongest force, like gravity, to me (god speaking). So when something attracts my heart, it is music calling! Love, Jane

Dances With Crayons July 5, 2009 at 5:56 am

This book was perfectly structured, I think. It was easy to jump right in, becoming the story, right from the beginning. My entire being LOVED it, Thank You Paulo!! : )

Alexandra July 4, 2009 at 8:08 am

I think your novel is an example of postmodernism, for it uses more genres, in a mixture. We find fantasy, fairy tale, romantic or real elements all in the same story. I loved the way you keep the tension along the whole novel, and gave us the happy solution in the very end.
The symbolism you used appeal to our inner soul, you use the general images in an new attire, talking to the heart of each of us, awakening our interest. The plans alternate, in some traits we are in a sure real world, than we pass into a fantastic realm. Or Magic Realism?
Interesting the use of the ancient craft, Santiago is a shepherd as our for-fathers used to be, and as our Lord is called. But Santiago travels in modern ship, towards a land where people are living respecting old values, maybe you mean a return to the roots, to the real important elements, nature, love and connection with the Divine.

Elaine July 4, 2009 at 6:58 am

Sweet Paulo,

I have been reading THE ALCHEMIST with my students for five years now. Thank you “our Santiago” for allowing us to be a part of this beautiful journey. My students and I adore you and the book. We love the use of parable in your narrative structure. The life lessons are so valuable for young readers. They get it without a lecture!!!

I have to tell what I happened upon in the hallway of our school. As with every school, there are those who dance to a different beat and are chastised by the “norm” to change. This was happening to a boy who I had not seen before. The “jocks” were teasing and taunting him. I was on my way to intercede when some of my students got there first. You would have been so pleased. They informed the “jocks” that everyone has the right to pursue their personal legend and that the “jocks” were to allow this boy that right. More of my students came to the rescue and stood up for this boy. The “jocks” backed down when they were told that the school allowed the jocks that right too. Your words, Paulo, are helping to make a change in the humanity of man. Thank you. Would you mind if I put some of my student’s comments about your books/quotes (with their permission) in your blog? I promise not to overload this space. When we get back in school come September, the “kids” will learn about your site. I didn’t discover it until this June — sorry about that.

In Awe of You,
Elaine

FYI, “Veronika” has saved a few lives at our school, too.

Heart July 2, 2009 at 8:07 pm

Paulo, you mentioned your writing is like prayers, and isn’t it like our life is like prayers too. Yes, The Alchemist has many of the qualities of prayers, and let me try to connect it to the Church’s prayers since the time of the Old Testament. Here is how people prayed;

I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.
…in the psalms there is an opportunity for the people to bless and praise God; the psalms express the admiration that people feel and what the people want to say; in them the Church speaks, the faith is professed in a melodious way and authority finds a ready acceptance; there too is heard the joyful call of freedom, the cry of pleasure and the sound of happiness. The psalm soothes anger, frees from care and drives away sadness. It is a weapon by night and a teacher by day : it is a shield in times of fear, an occasion of rejoicing for the holy, a mirror of tranquility : it is a pledge of peace and harmony, for with the aid of the harp the psalm makes one melody from a number of different notes. The beginning of the day hears the sound of the psalm and the end of the day hears its echoes.
In the psalm teaching is combined with charm ; for it is sung for pleasure but learnt for instruction. Is there anything that does not come to mind as you read the psalms? It is there that I read: ‘A Song for the Beloved”, and at once I am on fire with a desire for divine love….
What, then, is the psalm if it is not the musical instrument of virtues, which the holy prophet played with the help of the Holy Spirit, making the earth resound with the delightful melody of heavenly music? …is made into a song of the heavenly tune of divine praise.
From the discourses of St Ambrose on the Psalms (Ps 1,9-12)

Yes, the Alchemist has these qualities. May be this is also an explanation why the novel is so universally adored.
Love,
Heart

Angela M.C. D'Alton July 3, 2009 at 12:16 pm: Dear Heart….I love your sentiment that life is like a prayer…..and everything that thought evokes fills me with joy at the start of my day…..Thank you…..with love Angela

Melyssab79 July 1, 2009 at 7:49 pm

I love the structure of this text…part parable, part magic realism, and multi-layered exploration about life, love, and spiritual growth. The overall journey comes full circle when Santiago realizes he needs to go back to the starting place of the church with a tree growing from the altar (which also embodies some symbolism worthy of exploration) The concept, however, of having to go far far away to recognize the “treasure” to be found at home where you began, has great merit. The fact of so many discoveries along the way leading up to the return seems to indicate that the distance traveled and the experiences gained from exploring the unknown may actually increase the value of what is familiar and beloved. For a story so seemingly simply written, the layers of complexity in its structure reveal the true beauty of its crafting.

~Melyssa

Alexandra July 1, 2009 at 7:22 pm

Hmmm. I just said I love the spherical shape of the novel, the philoshophical discussion presented as dialog or inner thought. And the frame stories are very well inserted in the right place. Hope I talk about the things I am supposed…

Angela M.C. D'Alton July 1, 2009 at 6:34 pm

I read The Alchemist immediately after the The Winner Stands Alone,which I struggled with in the initial chapters. But I can see how cleverly you created the atmosphere of somewhere like Cannes and what it stands for at Festival time and how you made it quite overwhelming and something that I would want to run away from. In comparison I felt immediately at ease with this young shepherd boy and his flock and the green fields. You draw the reader in with a sense of curiosity and we embark on the journey. I found at each stage I was making comparisons with my own life and taking things on board. I felt the aloneness he felt after he was robbed and the moments of fear, but we are then immediately carried along with his hope and enthusiasm. There were so many obstacles that he overcame that I found myself relating it to a recent quote from Warrior of the Light about getting back on the horse again…which I then related to my own experience at showjumping where you have to overcome many hurdles and where usually the last is the most difficult…You can see the winning post but until you go over the final hurdle and then through the finish you cannot claim your prize.Your prize isnt necessarily the trophy but the inner knowledge that you took up the challenge, completed the course and won. Even then you know that winning is just the beginning and finding your inner treasure your starting point as to what you do with it.

I love the book and loved how it began, the journey and how it ended back at the tree, ready to continue with life.

Thank you Paulo…..with love

Elaine July 4, 2009 at 6:06 am: Thank you for you insight and for the snowjumping analogy. Santiago could have been like the baker or the Crystal Merchant and gone down the easy beginner ski slopes. (green circle) Instead, he chose the double black diamond slopes where we fall, get back up, and go again until we master the run.
prinkya February 15, 2010 at 1:03 pm: i love u Paulo…

Heart July 3, 2009 at 7:48 pm

Thank you dear Angela. Nice to meet you here!
Love,
Heart

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