When I started reading for Paulo Coelho, I started with " Veronica Decides to Die" and it was the most amazing journey with a book, then came another masterpiece with "The Pilgrimage". Through the years, I continued reading for Paulo but to be honest not all of his books were as good.
Until I decided to read the novel that made him this popular author "The alchemist". Now I know that if I read this one first, I would of have missed the rest of his wonders.
The Alchemist was a pure boring novel, I don't know if it's him or the translator, but there is nothing entertaining in it or inspiring.
What I enjoyed most and sadly was a very short period was when the boy was a shepherd. his thoughts, the way he deals and describes people were joyful to read but then the novel goes badly that I couldn't complete it.
A free copy from the novel is available in Arabic and English (from me).
The author himself gave a link to download this novel (only the Arabic one) if you can not find the novel in bookstores here
Becky said...
I LOVE you Wafa', this is exactly how I felt about The Alchemist! I was so so disappointed when I finally read it, I couldn't believe it's what made him famous!
I do agree that not all of his books are equally good, but I have enjoyed most of them. Which other books have you read?
My favourites are: Veronica Decides to Die, The Pilgrimage, The Zahir, The Devil and Miss Prym and Brida I think. November 7, 2011 12:52 PM 
Aseel said...
the first novel i read of Paulo Coelho was Veronica Decides to die too!!
I think translation caused a lot of damage to the novel Alchemist. The english translation is better than the Arabic one..
I guess it is a good novel at a certain age.. my favorite quote is: "what happens once may never happens again. But what happens twice will surely happen for a third time" so true!
have you read the Zahir? November 7, 2011 5:54 PM
Wafa' said...
Becky,
exactly, but maybe the world was in need for something and that novel came in time, dunno !!
I have read lots of them, I think I am only three books short. Brida is a favorite one too in my list.
And right now, I am reading "Aleph" and I am enjoying it so far.. hope it wont disappoint me later on. November 7, 2011 9:40 PM
Becky said...
I just bought Aleph recently as well - a signed edition! Haven't started reading it yet, but am looking forward to it. November 7, 2011 9:42 PM
Wafa' said...
Aseel,
"Veronica decides to die" was an amazing one. And I agree completely the translation could ruin it all, I tried to read "War and peace" in Arabic and couldn't make it to a few pages !!
I haven't read " The Zahir" yet, but it's on my list for sure. Right now, I am reading his latest book " Aleph" seems interesting so far. November 7, 2011 9:43 PM
Wafa' said...
Becky,
I was so much waiting for it and bought on my birthday. I just started two chapters and sounds good so far :) November 7, 2011 10:48 PM
Becky said...
I'm glad to hear that, because I wasn't too impressed with The Winner Stands Alone. November 7, 2011 10:49 PM
Wafa' said...
Becky,
I have this one. Let's see what will i feel about it when it's time comes :) November 8, 2011 12:24 AM
Aseel said...
nice! I wanna hear your opinion about Aleph! keep us posted Wafa :) November 8, 2011 3:43 PM
Anonymous said...
Hi Wafa - all,
I think, everyone has his way with Paulo books ... For some, it touch directly and boldly the "critical point" on reader live at the moment, for others it's just a story.
For me though, "fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself" from 11 minutes make huge impact on me ... In additional to many other quotes and ideas from Paulo.
Thanks November 8, 2011 11:06 PM
Wafa' said...
Aseel,
It's a turning page book to me, and will post about it very soon inshAllah :) November 9, 2011 8:08 AM
Wafa' said...
Anon,
I never thought of that but after reading your thoughts, I found myself thinking what's my way with Paulo books, and ironically I found lots of that in his new book.
I haven't read 11 minutes yet,but now is much more interesting to read it next.
Thank you so much for sharing your thought with us :) November 9, 2011 8:12 AM
Anonymous said...
Thanks Wafa. one more thing to add, Paulo is progressively evolving ... I think based his age and expertise. so its good to consider the order when reading Paulo books .... and Yes sometimes his books become so "cheesy"!
I would also recommend any one with good English language capability to read Henry Miller books (Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn). Really exceptional writer and one of the main Paulo influencer. Personally I tried to read Miller book Tropic of Capricorn but it language is too sophisticated to me that I need to spend long time looking up the words in the dictionary.
It should be easy for you Ms Wafa ;)
Take care! November 9, 2011 9:11 PM
Wafa' said...
Anon,
he is indeed evolving.. You can till the different by each book. It's hugely shown in his latest one.
Thank you for the recommendation, I am searching for them already and hopefully will be able to read them soon. Hope its language will be easy for me, cuz i hate using dictionaries :) November 10, 2011 6:21 AM
I do agree that not all of his books are equally good, but I have enjoyed most of them. Which other books have you read?
My favourites are: Veronica Decides to Die, The Pilgrimage, The Zahir, The Devil and Miss Prym and Brida I think.
I think translation caused a lot of damage to the novel Alchemist. The english translation is better than the Arabic one..
I guess it is a good novel at a certain age.. my favorite quote is: "what happens once may never happens again. But what happens twice will surely happen for a third time" so true!
have you read the Zahir?
exactly, but maybe the world was in need for something and that novel came in time, dunno !!
I have read lots of them, I think I am only three books short. Brida is a favorite one too in my list.
And right now, I am reading "Aleph" and I am enjoying it so far.. hope it wont disappoint me later on.
"Veronica decides to die" was an amazing one. And I agree completely the translation could ruin it all, I tried to read "War and peace" in Arabic and couldn't make it to a few pages !!
I haven't read " The Zahir" yet, but it's on my list for sure. Right now, I am reading his latest book " Aleph" seems interesting so far.
I was so much waiting for it and bought on my birthday. I just started two chapters and sounds good so far :)
I have this one. Let's see what will i feel about it when it's time comes :)
I think, everyone has his way with Paulo books ... For some, it touch directly and boldly the "critical point" on reader live at the moment, for others it's just a story.
For me though, "fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself" from 11 minutes make huge impact on me ... In additional to many other quotes and ideas from Paulo.
Thanks
It's a turning page book to me, and will post about it very soon inshAllah :)
I never thought of that but after reading your thoughts, I found myself thinking what's my way with Paulo books, and ironically I found lots of that in his new book.
I haven't read 11 minutes yet,but now is much more interesting to read it next.
Thank you so much for sharing your thought with us :)
I would also recommend any one with good English language capability to read Henry Miller books (Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn). Really exceptional writer and one of the main Paulo influencer. Personally I tried to read Miller book Tropic of Capricorn but it language is too sophisticated to me that I need to spend long time looking up the words in the dictionary.
It should be easy for you Ms Wafa ;)
Take care!
he is indeed evolving.. You can till the different by each book. It's hugely shown in his latest one.
Thank you for the recommendation, I am searching for them already and hopefully will be able to read them soon. Hope its language will be easy for me, cuz i hate using dictionaries :)
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