The Alchemist

Ladies,

My initial reaction to The Alchemist was this is "psycho-babel," (not a particularly positive response). I felt like Coelho was "ever searching, but never coming to the truth." There were passages that sounded Christian/Mormon/Biblical (Urim & Thumim; Melchizedek; paying 1/10; where your treasure is, there will your heart be also, etc.) mixed in with ideas from ancient philosophers and cultures (the "ideal is created before the real," the pyramids of Egypt/Giza are miraculous, "beginner's luck and the victor's test," magic, true love conquers all, living in the "now," etc.). It was a fun plot line, but I didn't feel like reading it would lead me to truth, change my life, or give me deeply valuable or personally applicable insights.

Then I read the author's biography at the end of the book. I was stunned by the passion he had for writing and the great lengths he was willing to go to achieve his dream. I did additional research on Wikipedia just to see if his parents really put him in a mental institution where he underwent shock therapy for years because they couldn't accept that he wanted to be a writer. Rod suggested that perhaps he was gay and that's why his parents' reaction was so severe. However, that is not the case. He has been married to the same woman for over 20 years.

I have been trying to make some sense out of his parents' reaction. The understanding came through family. My husband, Rod, has a brother who is an artist. His life has been incredibly difficult. Rod's father once told us, "If any of your kids want to be an artist, hold their head under water until they change their minds." He was only half joking; he blamed being an artist for causing so much pain to his son. I can't believe how compassionate Coelho's response was to his parents. He said they weren't trying to hurt him; they were trying to SAVE him.

Coehlo was also kidnapped and tortured because of his political beliefs! With this background knowledge, "The Alchemist" becomes in many ways an autobiography. When I look at it this way, it becomes a much different experience. Survival/perserverance becomes the theme and the most significant part of the the story for me . . . continuing on against all odds; learning and growing from each experience. I'm glad I read it. :)