Thursday, April 04, 2013

Book Reviews – The Alchemist (Graphic Novel) and The Alchemist (Novel) by Paulo Coelho

Book Review – The Alchemist (Graphic Novel) by Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho
Illustrations by Daniel Sampere
Hardcover
208 pages
Publisher: Harperone
Publication Date: November 15th, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0062024329

clip_image002

     The Alchemist (Graphic Novel) by Paulo Coelho and illustrated by Daniel Sampere is a visual study in life’s lessons expressed as a fable and tells the story of a boy named Santiago who has the imagination and resolution to follow his “Personal Legend.” While Coelho’s story is compelling and spiritual Dan Sampere’s art and design brings it to life. Each of Santiago’s guides are beautifully drawn (one in the likeness of Coelho himself)  and help enhance the lessons being taught. The Alchemist embraces a number of important messages, lessons that have been told and re-told in literature countless times. However, that does not make this particular story any less valid (or enjoyable) then those that have come before it. In fact, the art enhances every aspect of the story. As a matter of fact, the story depicted in graphic novel form tells the story better, I think, than the novel. Where a thousand words might suffice in fiction, ten words and an image need to deliver the same message graphically. That paring down helps highlight the many morals the protagonist encounters in his journey. Coelho points out the emotions encountered when something urgent is desired and how, for some, that need often manifests its way in a universal realignment to point us in the direction of that goal. Coelho explains how a true hunger and passion for something can, and often is, rewarded by success and that every one of us has a “Personal Legend” inside us waiting to blossom. The story reminds us that those who love us encourage and inspire us in so many ways to follow our dreams, to pursue our ambitions, and how simply reaching for our goals will take us to places we might never expect.

     File with: Parables, philosophy, life lessons, and spirituality.

4 ½ stars out of 5

The Alternative One
Southeast Wisconsin

 

Book Review - The Alchemist (Novel) by Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho
Hardcover
Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco
Publication Date: 1st edition - April 16, 1993
ISBN-13: 978-0062502179
192 pages

clip_image002[4]

     One fourth spiritual poetry, one fourth platitudes, one fourth desert myth, and one fourth the philosophy of decency The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a study of life expressed as a myth or fable. It’s the story of a young boy named Santiago who has the imagination and resolution to go out and search for his own “Personal Legend.” Santiago stumbles a time or two but finds a series of guides that serve as moral compasses throughout his adventures. In one way or another they push him toward his goals, help him to retain his courage, and assist him in correctly reading the life omens he encounters. His endeavors eventually lead him to understand his own heart and inner desires. In varying degrees The Alchemist reminded me of some of the great spiritual writings of the past. It is the ghost of Kahlil Gibran and Rumi speaking to us, and like its predecessors, The Alchemist embraces a number of incredibly important messages, lessons that have been told and re-told in literature countless times. However, that does not make this particular story any less valid (or enjoyable) then those that have come before it. While the graphic novel is, in my opinion, more impactful visually the novel left me filled with the desire to go out and fulfill my own “Personal Legend.” Where images were more visually enticing the novel became a more emotional experience. Both are, in my opinion, worth the time spent reading. Coelho successfully points out the emotional roller coaster encountered when something urgent is desired and how, for some, that desire often manifests its way in a universal realignment to point us in the direction of that goal. (Though many of us refuse to hear or follow that call.) Coelho explains how a true hunger and passion for something can, and often is, rewarded by success and that every one of us has a “Personal Legend” inside us waiting to “become” or to manifest itself in a way we can recognize. (Usually its not how we see it in our heads when we set our goals.) The story reminds us that those who love us encourage and inspire us in many ways to follow our dreams, to pursue our ambitions, and that how simply reaching for our goals will take us to places we could never have expected to go without taking that first step.

     File with: Poetry, Spirituality, Parable, and damn fine literature!

4 ½ stars out of 5

The Alternative One
Southeast Wisconsin

Additional Reading:

Paulo Coelho’s Official Website

Paulo Coelho’s Wiki Page

Paulo Coelho’s Blog

The Alchemist Preview

The Alchemist YouTube Trailer

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lemon Water: This lemon water how to clean toxins from your body diet is actually working.


Feel free to visit my blog ... clean body system

Anonymous said...

There are thousands of Traffic companies trading online today, all of whom purport to be" genuinely effective".

Design of the website or the service offered.

Here is my web-site search engine optimization florida

Anonymous said...

Thanks for finally writing about > "Book Reviews - The Alchemist (Graphic Novel) and The Alchemist (Novel) by Paulo Coelho" < Loved it!

Feel free to visit my homepage - exercises to jump higher

Anonymous said...

you're in reality a good webmaster. The web site loading pace is incredible. It sort of feels that you're doing any unique trick.
Also, The contents are masterpiece. you've performed a great process in this subject!

Here is my web blog - exercises to jump higher exercises to improve vertical exercises to improve vertical jump exercises to improve vertical leap exercises to increase vertical exercises to increase vertical jump exercises to increase vertical leap exercises for vertical exercises for vertical jump exercises for vertical leap workouts to jump higher workouts to improve vertical workouts to improve vertical jump workouts to improve vertical leap workouts to increase vertical workouts to increase vertical jump workouts to increase vertical leap workouts for vertical workouts for vertical jump workouts for vertical leap vertical jump exercises vertical leap exercises vertical jump workouts vertical leap workouts

Anonymous said...

Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this blog loading?
I'm trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it's the blog.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


Feel free to visit my web page ... exercises to improve vertical leap

Anonymous said...

Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this blog loading?
I'm trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it's the
blog. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Have a look at my web blog: exercises to improve vertical leap

Anonymous said...

Dealing with a Rebound RelationshipUsually rebound best body cleanse do not last very long,
if you have strong feelings towards monogamy as well. If you know
you are starting to get defensive and that you want him to do the chasing.


Also visit my web page 7 day Colon cleanse

Anonymous said...

hello!,I love your writing very much! share we keep
in touch more about your post on AOL? I need a specialist on this house to unravel my problem.
Maybe that's you! Having a look forward to see you.

Take a look at my weblog; exercises to jump higher

Anonymous said...

It's wonderful that you are getting thoughts from this piece of writing as well as from our discussion made at this time.

Here is my weblog Latestarticles.info

Anonymous said...

Wow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn't show up. Grrrr... well I'm not
writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say great blog!


Here is my web blog workouts to improve vertical jump

Anonymous said...

Gas powered RC used cars baltimore online.
If you currently do not have to fear about breaking the traffic rule.
If you re shopping withing a budget you simply click the maximum amount you
want to go as long as there are used cars baltimore,
there's nothing impossible. You can take help an independent mechanic, as well as ways to make the system work again. In fact you may end up losing more than that it's probably worth
it to apply for a dealer's license.

Also visit my webpage used cars in florence Sc