Jayson's Reviews > The Alchemist

(B+) 78% | Good
Notes: On chasing dreams, don't settle themes, enjoying silver linings, but too cliché and child's play, relies on stars aligning.

*Check out progress updates for detailed commentary: (view spoiler)[

Progress updates:

06/08/2024 - Preamble
(1) It's been a very long time since I first read this. Really, this is one of the earliest novels I read when I began reading recreationally.
- I remember at the time not getting what all the hype was about and thought it, while quite well done, was fairly ordinary.
- It'll be interesting to see if I'll change my tune at all after so many years.
(2) No real chapter breaks, which is a shame. I like boundaries.

06/09/2024 - Prologue
(1) You know, I'd just been wondering why the original cover art was "Narcissus" by Caravaggio. I couldn't understand why. Well, the prologue answered that question immediately albeit not directly.
- My first thought is it's symbolic of this book in concept. The prologue tells the story of Narcissus, but then adds to it. Which is to say this book might use existing folklore as a base to build its fiction upon.

06/12/2024 - Andalusia
(1) Melchizedek's interesting. He says he's the Biblical King of Salem, who dealt with Abraham. So, he's either a liar/conman or in some way divine.
- You'd think Santiago, who attended seminary, would be either awed or skeptical. He seems neither.
- Presuming he's divine, the way he disrupts Santiago's life, overturning the status quo, makes him an archetypical trickster.
- This is magical realism, I suppose.

06/13/2024 - Tangier
(1) "The boy knew that in money there was magic; whoever has money is never really alone."
- True, albeit cynical. You're never alone because people want your money.
- Of course, it implies the inverse is also true. Losing all his money means he's now really alone and has no ability to make things magically happen.
(2) This whole Tangier section is about blessings in disguise and not settling for the familiar.

06/14/2024 (1) - The Caravan and Oasis
(1) "Once you get into the desert, there's no going back, and, when you can't go back, you have to worry only about the best way of moving forward."
- That's the difference between the Crystal Merchant, who looks back and never sees Mecca, and the Englishman, who builds a forge in the desert.
- This whole section is like one big Nike ad. So many metaphors all amounting to the same "Just Do It!" call to action.

06/14/2024 (2) - The Desert
(1) It's interesting how figures here tie themselves into a Biblical lineage, as if to imply this story is Biblical as well.
- We saw this previously with the old man who insisted he was the Biblical Melchizedek.
- At the oasis, the tribal elder says they were the very people who purchased Joseph and brought him to Egypt.
- Like Joseph, Santiago is a foreigner who saves the locals and is made a court official.

06/15/2024 (1) - The Military Camp
(1) It's around this point in the book that you realize the titular "Alchemist" isn't the alchemist character, but Santiago.
- Because turning lead into gold is a metaphor for leaving a mundane life to pursue treasure.
(2) "Usually the threat of death makes people a lot more aware of their lives."
- Hitting rock bottom usually spurs people into action.
- That's why the boy was robbed of everything three times.

06/15/2024 (2) - Epilogue
(1) Ultimately, this is one of those "it's not you it's me" books.
- I can understand why it inspires so many people and why it's one of the most popular books on this site.
- But (call me jaded, cynical or a grump) the book-long refrain that the universe conspires to make your dreams come true just seems quixotic and trite.
(2) Overall, a better experience than before, but nothing to make me change my rating. (hide spoiler)]