C. (Comment, never msg).’s review of The Alchemist > Likes and Comments

Why do you think this book is "infamous", C.?

It is no assumption. I heard "The Alchemist" mentioned with reverance for years. So much that I felt I was 'last to the party' to read it. I was pleased to find I loved it too and discovered a long list of other opinions. Carolyn.

Great review! Gave me a different view on the book. 😁

How nice to hear! Many reference a popular quote. What stood out for me was outward approval of something that has received criticism (Mother-in-law). Instead of grabbing a job to earn money most quickly, though we could use it; I am prioritizing what would make me happier. Too many of us are sucked into years of jobs SOLELY for an income. I pushed back what I want: writing. You don't earn a dime for a while but "The Alchemist" emphasizes that our heart's desire is not less important. Moreover, if we make an effort towards it, we well find we are helped along further. Once in a while I find passages in books that give fodder against critics. Our society is set up so that the "take any job" criticism sounds reasonable. It is a relief to see someone put in writing: "No! Dreams are valid"!

Lovely review, Carolyn! I love it when books help our thoughts and feelings to soar and then coalesce into these great "ah-ha" moments!

Hello, Jaline! Yes, sometimes they go beyond entertaining us, don't they? The extra lovely part is commiserating with you. How special it is indeed, when books click with our real lives and give us those soaring boosts of insight and understanding.

I got my Dad to read this, who is not a reader. He too, loved the "Do what you dream of doing" messages. Money stopped a lifetime of things my parents would enjoy. Come to think of it, I got my previous city chiropractor to read this. He remembered the red tape, to open his practice. There were more inconviences than there should have been and he pushed right along.

Lovely heartfelt review Carolyn.

Aw, thank you, Maureen! I am one of those creative, daring dreamers that black & white mindsets don't understand. There are many films and stories in which daring people save the day, or garner recognition. But to see someone say very plainly, that the only right and practical thing to do, is to make sure you are living what you dream and want? Wow, is that ever reassuring, inspiring, and validating! I am glad you got to see this review from a few years ago. :)

I was frustrated and disappointed to discover a tone in my close friend's voice, suggesting she didn't understand as I thought. Staying home to work on my writing, garden, tend to our cats; with the tradeoff of being careful on a single income; she remarked "As long as Ron doesn't mind". What about if *I* mind a life of jobs I was unhappy with? Man, those are the times you are glad to find a book like this.

Just follow your dream Carolyn and see where it takes you or you’ll always have ‘what ifs’!

Another strong, smart point! Thank you, dear Maureen! Today, doing something that brings us joy is a day trip to a town with a book charity I support. :) When the highways are warm, we drive much more and all of Manitoba comes alive, abounding with hope, possiblities, excitement, and great things to do in spring! Xoxo, Carolyn.

so well said, Carolyn! you are thoughtful, wise, & a great writer :-)

Daal, thank you for the three greatest sources of praise you could give! What a boon for my day! :-) Because I won't be at the point of a final draft or income for ages: I know what nay-saying sounds like. It feels good to see or hear encouragement to dismiss what people call a proper goal or job. Immediate payment isn't how the arts, or perhaps anything worth doing, works.

I am taking too long, largely due to years of serious barking / howling issues that made it a challenge to use windows and walk freely at our home. I didn't want to go to a public place, when I live in a forest. I worked patiently at restoring our peace. One neighbour appears to have moved this week! The other knows there is now a law and at least, isn't facing our livingroom and bedroom wall, where we read. Things are better and I will push myself to get back to it no matter what.

I am very happy for you, Carolyn!!! Can't wait to read what you create <3

Early stages! First few chapters of a first ever draft.... scrapped when I reread it after a time and I see that I can do better. Are you usually satisfied with what you declare your final draft, or is it a deadline that gets authors to leave it?

C, your wonderful review speaks to me, after all low reviews of Alchemist, thought maybe wouldn’t like it....was I wrong!

Hello Linda! It is nice to hear from you! Please call me Carolyn. I often react to books opposite from others. I don't want sad or evil stories. "The Alchemist" appealed to me on a commonplace level. There are people who make dreamers like me, hate the word "practical". It can be an attack on our optimistic, free view of our world. Why simply go through it paying rent, so to speak? Make a mark of great memories, at least for yourself! Knowing my review speaks to you does make me happy.

Travel and books are what I treasure in my life, after family and friends of course.....when I can’t travel for real, all you have to do is pick up your next read of which I never lack. You are very welcome, a Merry Christmas & Happy 2020!

Thank you, Linda. This was the last Christmas with my Mom. Therefore no matter where we shared it, it was special. I am working on a happy year 2020. I wish you likewise. All kind words are absorbed by me with gratitude. Hugs, Carolyn.

"A single-threaded fable is the hinge onto which authors hang important principals. This is why the message of children’s stories are more complex than the adventure carrying them. "

This part here reminds me of my aunt spending two whole days selling the book to me. Appeal-wise I mean, not that she was asking me for money. I can still hear her excitement when she tells me how this book changed my cousin's life. At the time I was totally idolizing said cousin so this was an excellent selling point. :P

"I’m certain Paulo Coelho is addressing we, who dream of writing; who hesitate to believe we can be published authors."

I wish I had seen this when I first read it, but then I was barely 16, intent on going to a good uni, so I could find a well-paying job. Perhaps I need to reread it as an adult...

Hi! It is nice to meet you and have comments! I am Carolyn. Believe me, I too thought I needed to live a life before starting to write. I myself, wish I had known we can earn a living doing what we love. I am glad I discovered great books like this as an adult. My parents read it too. The other we read in common is "That Quail, Robert".

Hi Carolyn, nice to meet you too. :-)
So nice that you and your parents discovered books that you both love.

Do you want to be called "Smart Arse"? I ask for folks' names if they are willing. :) Thank you for your warm observation. It is rare that Dad reads or that Mom's tastes were in common with mine. We share the sweet memory of a lot of short reading in her final year of life, last year.

I prefer to go by Ms. Smartarse online, rather than my actual name, but feel free to abbreviate it. ;-)

I read mostly in English, even though I don't actually live in an English speaking country, so it's hard to recommend books to my mother. Still, I do occasionally, and then we have some long chats about them.

My dad doesn't have too much patience with books, though he does own his fair share of sci-fi novels, but I've yet to find common reading material with him. Instead, he can generally sit with me to watch an action movie... or two.

I mentioned my Mom recently ascended to the afterlife. Condolences are appreciated. Yes, it was rare for me to read anything in common with my folks, or for Dad to read. I am glad for the memories.

I appreciate hearing a little about your family as well. I saw that you are Romanian.

Oh I'm so sorry about your mom. I'm sure you miss her very much. I was multi-tasking and must've only read part of your comment. I apologize. 😔

Bless you. I do miss my Mom. My Dad and Brother visited me this week! The Brother lives out of town and also a rare treat, is someone driving my Dad to our countryside home.

I am sad two of our cats ascended this year, who are our children. This something that should only be experienced once in 20 years or so. Spirit is the beautiful grey tabby in my photo album. Marigold is my profile photograph. Kind people, words, the rest of our family and cats cheer us up a lot.

Oh no, both during the same year? That must've been tough. ☹ I told my cat that she shouldn't even think of leaving before 25. She's 4.5 now, and I'm such a helicopter cat-mom to her... 😅

Your wording makes it sound like you have more cats (or is that the other way around? 😋). How many?

Thank you for condolences about Marigold & Spirit. It still is tough, 5 months apart this January and June! Isn't she beautiful? She was 11.5 (early onset kidney disease) and Spirit 16.5 (stomach cancer). We never gave up. They ascended naturally at home. As I wrote, Spirit is the loving grey tabby in my Goodreads photo album.

Marigold is a Mom! Spirit & McCartney are like Dads to the children, who were born here. One son, Conan (11), has been missing a long time. We do not give up on getting him back via his ear tattoo. McCartney (21) and their Daughters (11) are here with us.

Wonderful review Carolyn! Happy this was a 5 stars for you. 🧡

It is a special novel that even my parents liked, Shirin. It is a famous work that is oftentimes my only book in common with the general public.

Great review Carolyn! Although I do not share your enthusiasm for The Alchemist, I do appreciate and value your perspective. From my circle of friends and acquaintances I do know many people who've been turned onto reading through this novel. That for me is a veritable measure of a book's impact, despite it's literary limitations.

I will visit your review to see your observations, Kiran. Some find the surface story too traditional or trite. I enjoyed it, as did my parents. As you keenly shared, some folks like my Dad seldom read but love this. The other story both of my parents loved was "That Quail, Robert", a true story.

I don't analyze and think it does storytellers a disservice to turn the experience of reading into "what irony we think they were writing there", or "what secret references they were making". I like a clearly told story and want to know their take. I don't want a "choose your own adventure" to interpret.

Apart from taking the positive story exactly as Paulo wrote it, I felt so encouraged. It is probably obvious to all of us to follow our hearts but I am surrounded by in-laws and other naysayers who don't think that way. This book felt like a relief, for being understood that I prefer writing to punching a clock. I am glad if you understand a bit about why it was an easy five stars for me.

Brilliantly stated! :)

Esha, I am so happy you enjoyed what I wrote and paid me a kind compliment! It is a special novel I am glad I shared with my parents. Sincerely, Carolyn.

Hi, such a beautiful review. And I admire you for saying: Simple writing doesn't mean lack of depth.

I was going to message you but I saw you prefer comments. I just wanted to request you to read my book, "A Man with A White Shadow".

By looking at your review I just feel that you will like the philosophies I have tried to share through my novel.

Vikram, you are marketing as hard for readers admirably, as I am trying to get people to comment on my review pieces. Thank you very much for yours.

Your book sounds lovely but I do not read e-books and am in Canada. Not the USA, where freebies and low postage abound. I buy books almost entirely second-hand. If I come across your parable here, I will certainly read it.