Happened to read the much acclaimed book,"The Alchemist" recently.The book makes for absorbing reading.However it does suffer from major drawbacks.
It prophesises that "If you want something,the entire universe conspires in helping you get it".It exhorts the reader to follow his/her dreams through the medium of the protagonist Santiago.However there seems to be a paradox here,for it says that you must dream,for only if you dream will they become true,and it talks about Santiago having found his 'destiny'.
Now dream and destiny,for me,are not always compatible.Further,it says that you must spot the 'omens',while on the quest to fulfill your dreams.This and a lot of mysterious elements,like the 'soul of the world',and the author Paulo Coelho's cleverness in subtly putting his point across about his own(I presume) religion,Christianity,confused me thoroughly.There is talk about 'the Tradition' never being wrong,about our fate being written(Maktub).
But I guess the book can take such liberties,for it essentially is fiction.Another thing that struck me about the book is that,since the author uses the medium of Santiago to put his views forth,he does not become unnecessarily preachy,unlike other motivational books which indulge in direct conversation with the reader.
All in all,very well written,and some of the points do make sense too,but only people of enormous faith,can,i suppose put into practice what Coelho says.
14 comments:
Hmmmm should read this then. BTW have linked u.
Coelho's good kya ? Or is the Alchemist just overhyped like the Da Vinci code ? Have gotten mixed responses from people.
as i said,the guy writes really well,but then if you are determined to get washed away by the 'oh its so good,oh its so nice' tide of opinions,then its bad,because ive seen a lot of guys who might not like a book,but since its a megabuckmaker,they refrain from finding shortcomings.
In other words its along the lines of catcher in the rye ?
havent read that book,plan to do so.
Dont get me started on that one. If I was Salinger, I'd kill myself too.. Holden Caulfield is such a misanthrope that Hitler would probably be inspired by him..
Heard u got an interview at ISRO. That's fuckin great dude ! How did it go ? And how did you get an interview in ISRO in the first place ? You missed the season opener quiz btw..
Hey ,its not as great as you think.and its not even an interview,its a test.i dont know if ill be called for the interview though.So chillax,its nothing great.what bout ur placements??wherve you been placed??
Got into this company called Sungard, and no its doesn't make sun control film. Just found that it is owned by the Carlyle group. Yeah, the one with the senior Bush and the Bin Ladens onboard..
The book is all metaphorical.
Beauty of abstraction is it allows the author to be always correct.
I love the book and often delve deep into its words.
Pondering over open ended words is a good excercise for mind.
If you have liked Paulo coelho's writing, try out "11 minutes".
I must warn you though, that it is very very different from Alchemist.
refrain from finding shortcomings.''
Yeah, that attitude gives me a lot of heart burn too.
Anyways how is wipro shaping up? You find it good enough to make a career in?
Oye, Ganesh in Wiproland, plan to post again ?
tried jonathan livingston seagull by richard bach?
@shrivallabh:
The problem with abstraction is that it becomes difficult to exactly convey what you want to,because your message then becomes open to interpretation.If you want to convey a message clearly,then abstraction and metaphors arent really needed.
@anish and nikhil:im not in wipro dudes,didnt join.got a better offer elsewhere.
@saanya:Sure he is a great writer,ive never denied that,but then so was Nietzsche....
@thoughtwarp:yes,i have.good book again.
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