During my last book group meeting, one of the group members asked if anyone had read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I knew that I owned the book, but I couldn't remember if I had actually read it. So I pulled out my copy last week and started to read.The story became progressively familiar as I read, and after the first twenty or thirty pages, I finally remembered that I actually had read the book at least once (perhaps twice). I couldn't remember reading the book before because it's such a short, quick read; I think it's easy to forget that you've read a short book, especially if you didn't spend much time with the book in your hands.
This book is about a young shepherd who goes off to the Egyptian pyramids in search of treasure. Along the way, the shepherd boy learns a lot about himself and life. I especially like the conversation that the boy has with his heart while traveling across the unchanging desert scape (p. 128-130 in my HarperSanFrancisco edition, 1998). The heart gives reasons for why people need to listen to their hearts, which caused me to reflect a little bit. I know that I need to spend more time meditating and "listening to my heart," but often I opt to fill my time with more trivial things. Maybe it's because I'd rather not face the things that my heart would like to say. Or maybe I think "heart listening" will be too time-consuming or emotionally taxing. I'm not sure exactly why. But I know I should make a change.
This is a good book, especially for people who like philosophical thoughts about life and relationships with people. Next time I read this, I'd like to read the original edition in Portuguese.
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6 comments:
This book sounds interesting. I think I will have to look into it now.
I like Paul Coelho. I think you & I chatted about the Witch of Portobello by him recently. Have you read any of his books in Portuguese yet? What do you find makes the most difference with his writing by reading in the original?
Interesting. I'd like to read it. I wonder if it'd be too much for me now. Maybe it'd be just what I need.
Can you understand Spanish since you speak Portuguese?
I have this book in the stack by my bed. I think I'll go read it and we can compare notes. Unfortunately, I will not be able to read it in Portuguese.
I haven't read any of Coelho's books in Portuguese yet, Ant Bee. I would like to, though. I think that "The Alchemist" is written in such a basic and simplistic way (it's part of the beauty of the book); I think that Portuguese might emphasize this simplistic style even more, since many ideas can be expressed with less words and syllables in Portuguese (as opposed to English, obviously).
Yeah, e, I can understand Spanish pretty well, but I can't speak it. About a month ago, I was listening to some people speak Spanish at our house (they had come to remodel our kitchen), and I started to laugh at one of their jokes. They looked at me rather astonished and said, "Do you speak Spanish?" I said no, but that I could understand it pretty well. :)
It is a good book, one I'd definitely like to reread. As I've never been fluent enough in another language to read an entire book, I'm curious how you'll find the translation.
Yes, now I'm letting the dishes settle while I catch up on blogs. :) Thanks for a fun dinner!
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