I just finished reading "The Alchemist," a novel by Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho that's become a sort of spiritual Bible for some people. It's about a poor Spanish shepherd who crosses the deserts of northern Africa in search of treasure. Along the way he meets numerous characters who teach him to listen to his heart and to the universe, and show him how to achieve his destiny.
If that sounds corny, well, it is. The book weaves together elements of many religions and traditions and ultimately it winds up being basically new-agey and trite. Maybe I'm just too cynical, but I didn't get a whole lot out of it. There are some kernels of truth but they're buried under a lot of fuzzy feel-good claptrap -- like the very idea of "listening to your heart." I don't know about your heart, but mine just makes a thumping sound.
Fortunately, it was also a very fast read. It took me a couple of hours to read the whole book. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
(Photos: Graffiti in Newark, last week. Strange antlered aliens? I have no idea.)
I'm not cynical but I didn't like it either. It's too blatant, too easy, like those movies that are engineered to make you cry.
ReplyDeleteGREAT pics. Love the horned god hats on those guys.
Always wondered why I couldn't get through it.
ReplyDeleteHow do you feel about putting down a book before you get to the end? I usually plow ahead even if I don't love it, but I'm starting to think there are books that just might not be worth the effort. Even if it just takes 2 hours!
ReplyDeleteUnless it's complete and total agony, I always read to the end. Sometimes books that start out bad wind up becoming interesting, you know?
ReplyDeleteI remember not getting into Snow Falling on Cedars until about 100 pages in, and then I loved the book. But something kept me reading, because I have no problems putting down a book if it's not holding me.
ReplyDeleteNice composition !!
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