The Edinboro University Book Discussion Group has choosen Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist as its April discussion book. The group will meet on Tuesday, April 26th from 6:45 to 8:14 in room 715 in the Baron-Forness Library
Copies of the book are placed on reserve in the library. At each meeting the group selects the book for the following month's discussion. Students, staff and the public are all invited to attend. This event is free and open to the public.
Like the one-time bestseller Jonathan Livingston Seagull, The Alchemist presents a simple fable, based on simple truths and places it in a highly unique situation. And though we may sniff a bestselling formula, it is certainly not a new one: even the ancient tribal storytellers knew that this is the most successful method of entertaining an audience while slipping in a lesson or two. Brazilian storyteller Paulo Coehlo introduces Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who one night dreams of a distant treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. And so he's off: leaving Spain to literally follow his dream. Along the way he meets many spiritual messengers, who come in unassuming forms such as a camel driver and a well-read Englishman. In one of the Englishman's books, Santiago first learns about the alchemists--men who believed that if a metal were heated for many years, it would free itself of all its individual properties, and what was left would be the "Soul of the World." Of course he does eventually meet an alchemist, and the ensuing student-teacher relationship clarifies much of the boy's misguided agenda, while also emboldening him to stay true to his dreams.
"My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy confides to the alchemist one night as they look up at a moonless night. "Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself," the alchemist replies. "And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity." --Gail Hudson (Amazon.com review)
"My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy confides to the alchemist one night as they look up at a moonless night. "Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself," the alchemist replies. "And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity." --Gail Hudson (Amazon.com review)
Must be an enjoyable read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. loved the way you wrote it. I find your review very genuine and orignal, this book is going in by "to read" list.
ReplyDeleteThe Alchemist is a novel that can be described as a roadmap to achieve such goals. It is a novel that can also be described as a journey of self-discovery during which the reader learns the power of self-determination and the importance of religion through God's presence in everything. Coelho suggests that strength can be found in God and that religion should be used to overcome hardship. Santiago teaches readers that the outcome of one's life can be influenced by the journey's one dares to embark on, that the journey is in itself a learning experience and that dreams can become a reality if one only really wants them to become reality. Although I am not a spiritual or religious person and I do not believe that the universe will help you achieve your goal, I still find. Really a great story.
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