The Alchemist
8 journalers for this copy...
From amazon.co.uk:
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 sense 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 Andalucian 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."
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 sense 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 Andalucian 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."
It wasn't a long journey at all: This book is going to come out of daisyflower123's English Bookbox II right on my daughter's bookshelf. She is very interested in reading it.
Journal Entry 4 by Shopgirl-NY152 from Wien Bezirk 09 - Alsergrund, Wien Austria on Tuesday, April 21, 2009
..... and already did so.
I had heard so much about the book before that I had to read it right away.
I liked it, but it didn't really touch me and I didn't feel the magic that is supposed to be radiating from this story. Still, it was a nice read.
Since i don't really want to release it in the wild (it's so pretty :)) I"ll wait for the big meetup here in vienna in a couple of weeks, where i'm sure it will find a new reader (:
I had heard so much about the book before that I had to read it right away.
I liked it, but it didn't really touch me and I didn't feel the magic that is supposed to be radiating from this story. Still, it was a nice read.
Since i don't really want to release it in the wild (it's so pretty :)) I"ll wait for the big meetup here in vienna in a couple of weeks, where i'm sure it will find a new reader (:
Journal Entry 5 by kiwiinengland from Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Sunday, May 31, 2009
I have read another Paul Coelho book and it was thought provoking. I understand this book is a better one so look forward to reading it.
Journal Entry 6 by kiwiinengland from Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Friday, October 16, 2009
Didn't fill me with light and self awareness, and some of the wandering in the desert and listening to your heart was tedious.
A bit to much religion and self discovery for me. I am interested in the story of the author though, so may look up a biography of him.
A bit to much religion and self discovery for me. I am interested in the story of the author though, so may look up a biography of him.
Journal Entry 7 by kiwiinengland at Manchester, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (10/31/2009 UTC) at Manchester, Greater Manchester United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
This is heading to Edwardstreet to fulfill a wishlist book. Edwardstreet and I met while at the NZ Bookcrossing convention, and again at the Paris mass book release. So here is a little something from the German Speaking meet up to you. Enjoy.
Posted via Royal Mail, it may take some time to get there as they are having rolling strikes at the moment.
This is heading to Edwardstreet to fulfill a wishlist book. Edwardstreet and I met while at the NZ Bookcrossing convention, and again at the Paris mass book release. So here is a little something from the German Speaking meet up to you. Enjoy.
Posted via Royal Mail, it may take some time to get there as they are having rolling strikes at the moment.
Journal Entry 8 by Edwardstreet from Lower Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Wow, how exciting, received this book off my wishlist in the mail today. I look forward to bed time when I can settle and read what promises to be an exciting read. Thank you so much for taking the time to send all the way from across the world to New Zealand,I will treasure and will pass onto appreciative friends. Big cheers KiwiinEngland.
Journal Entry 9 by Edwardstreet at Macs Brewbar & Restaurant in Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Monday, November 9, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (11/10/2009 UTC) at Macs Brewbar & Restaurant in Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Please take the time to log on and advise where you are going to release this book after you have read and enjoyed.
I was a little underwhelmed, but pleased I have read another of the 100 books that were listed as one of the top one hundred books that changed the world.
Please take the time to log on and advise where you are going to release this book after you have read and enjoyed.
I was a little underwhelmed, but pleased I have read another of the 100 books that were listed as one of the top one hundred books that changed the world.
Journal Entry 10 by Sherlockfan from Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Delighted to find a book from "the List". It was on the table at the Wellington BookCrossers' monthly meet-up tonight. Oddly enough I'd been thinking about this just recently and hoping that I'd come across it in my travels.
Thanks to all who've participated in sending this around the world.
Hi to KiwiinEngland. Hope all is well with you. When are you coming back to NZ even if just for a visit? There is an UnCon in Sydney over 'our' Labour weekend October New Year. Both EdwardStreet, FutureCat and I are planning to be there. How about you?
Thanks to all who've participated in sending this around the world.
Hi to KiwiinEngland. Hope all is well with you. When are you coming back to NZ even if just for a visit? There is an UnCon in Sydney over 'our' Labour weekend October New Year. Both EdwardStreet, FutureCat and I are planning to be there. How about you?
Journal Entry 11 by Sherlockfan from Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Friday, November 13, 2009
I found this very thought-provoking and really enjoyed the "About the author" section at the back of the book. I must include a quote from that section as it provides some relevant background IMHO.
"Early on, Paulo dreamed of an artistic career, something frowned upon in his middle-class household. In the austere surroundings of a strict Jesuit school, Paulo discovered his true vocation to be a writer. Paulo's parents, however, had different plans for him. When their attempts to suppress his devotion to literature failed, they took it as a sign of mental illness. When Paulo was seventeen, his father had him committed to a mental institution, twice, where he endured sessions of electroconvulsive "therapy". His parents brought him back there once more after he became involved with a theatre group and started work as a journalist."
And so it goes on. The whole section is really interesting and provides a neat background to the writer. I must seek out more of his books.
I want to mull it over a bit longer before I release it and will not be just letting it out into the wild - too precious for that.
"Early on, Paulo dreamed of an artistic career, something frowned upon in his middle-class household. In the austere surroundings of a strict Jesuit school, Paulo discovered his true vocation to be a writer. Paulo's parents, however, had different plans for him. When their attempts to suppress his devotion to literature failed, they took it as a sign of mental illness. When Paulo was seventeen, his father had him committed to a mental institution, twice, where he endured sessions of electroconvulsive "therapy". His parents brought him back there once more after he became involved with a theatre group and started work as a journalist."
And so it goes on. The whole section is really interesting and provides a neat background to the writer. I must seek out more of his books.
I want to mull it over a bit longer before I release it and will not be just letting it out into the wild - too precious for that.
Journal Entry 12 by keeta1 from Whitianga, Waikato-Coromandel New Zealand on Sunday, December 13, 2009
Received this well travelled book from Sherlockfan (many thanks), as I have it on my wishlist.
I'm looking forward to reading it as soon as possible.
I'm looking forward to reading it as soon as possible.
Journal Entry 13 by keeta1 from Whitianga, Waikato-Coromandel New Zealand on Saturday, January 2, 2010
An enjoyable, short read.
Journal Entry 14 by keeta1 at By mail / post / courier, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Released 14 yrs ago (1/27/2010 UTC) at By mail / post / courier, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
To the finder of this book:
If you found it, it's yours! Enjoy!
If you like the idea of Bookcrossing, you're welcome to join this great big game of hide & seek. It's free to join, spam free and you can remain anonymous. Please consider using me - keeta1 - as a referring member if you decide to join.
Sent to pingucb as a surprise rabck.
To the finder of this book:
If you found it, it's yours! Enjoy!
If you like the idea of Bookcrossing, you're welcome to join this great big game of hide & seek. It's free to join, spam free and you can remain anonymous. Please consider using me - keeta1 - as a referring member if you decide to join.
Sent to pingucb as a surprise rabck.
Journal Entry 15 by pingucb from Lower Kingswood, Surrey United Kingdom on Saturday, February 6, 2010
Thankyou very much for this lovely surprise from my wishlist, which arrived through the post this week.
This is a well travelled book indeed, so when I've read it I'll make sure it continues it's journey!
This is a well travelled book indeed, so when I've read it I'll make sure it continues it's journey!