The Alchemist

Published: 1988

Author: Paulo Coelho
Genres: Action, Adventure, Alchemy, Coming Of Age, Education, Fantasy, Fiction, Greek & Roman, Legend, Literary, Magic, Metaphysical, Myth

Rating: 100/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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Check the summary of this book here:

The Alchemist Summary

The Review:

The Alchemist is a treasure of life lessons. This book contains and references to lessons that appear to be a comment on ethics and metaphysics, history and anthropology, post-colonialist critique, and folk tale all at once. Biblical parallels abound, alongside Islamic lectures on the nature of God, and institutions and mysticism are equally likely to be invoked and revoked. There's always the impression that something is hovering beneath the surface while you read, but the moment you attempt to capture it or express it in a review, it appears to vanish and I was never completely satisfied with what it is. I felt I know this story and what was happening but it was just an illusion and this book is an original work of art that comes to life through the words that are passing through the reader’s mind.

I had no idea this book would be so good. But at first, I thought it was just another book hyped by people who wanted to be part of the popular group, but I'm glad I was wrong and decided to read it. I never imagined a book could have such an impact on me. It's a simple story, but it's packed with lessons if you look for them, and it's short enough to read in one sitting. Only a few books have had such an impact on me, and one of them is "The Book of Flying," which I also highly recommend.

I read this book a long time ago and recently had the opportunity to listen to the audio version, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also recommend the audio version to fans because I am confident you will enjoy it as well.

Some people dislike this book because they never understood it and the simple words that are actually very deep to the point where these people were never able to reach the depth. So, disregard the complaints and a few low marks and read or listen to the book, and be amazed at its simplicity, which can be as deep as you want it to be. But as you go deeper, your eyes widen and you begin to see the true messages that this novel has to offer.

This book has a lot of valuable lessons to offer. It ultimately boils down to pursuing your ambitions and taking calculated risks in the process. When you decide to follow your aspirations, the entire world conspires in your favor, which the author refers to as "beginners luck," which we have all experienced at some time in our lives. He also talks about a period in our road toward fulfilling our aspirations when everything goes horribly wrong and everything works against us, nearly forcing us to forsake everything and return to what was once so intimately acquainted.

Final Thoughts:

This is one of those stories that you don't want to come to an end. A journey of self-awareness and the discovery of hidden strength and potential that everyone possesses but not everyone can recognize. I discovered a great coming-of-age story and a man's constant struggle to find the hidden treasure that was always his from the beginning.

A must-read for everyone, just to understand what it's all about, and it may help you discover your own self, which has been hiding inside you since the beginning.

Synopsis:

“Paulo Coelho's enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its simplicity and wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way, he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an Alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way but what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a meditation on the treasures found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is art eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.”

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The Stranger in the Lifeboat

Published: 2, November 2021

Author: Mitch Albom
Genres: Family Life, Fiction, Historical, Inspirational, Metaphysical, Mystery, Religious, Visionary

Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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The Review:

A fantastic read that is profound, intriguing, enthralling, and simply wonderful. Mitch Albom is a fantastic storyteller and this is yet another masterpiece from him. I really enjoyed every minute of this novel. Mitch Albom can always be counted on to not only produce a well-written and enjoyable novel but also to push the reader to search within and experience something new.

I liked the concept of this book and was intrigued by the question, "What would you do if God came face to face with you and told you about himself?" I really like stories about Jesus, Santa, God, and other characters like that, as well as stories about miracles coming true, and this kind of, gave me the same feeling, and I just read on like my younger self was reading and watching stuff about miracles because nothing like that can happen in real life.

A word of caution to all readers: do not start this book right before going to bed, unless it is a weekend, because once you start it, it is impossible to stop until it is finished.

Really captivating narrative and a finale that leaves the reader with something to be positive about.

I wish this book was a little longer since I felt so happy reading it and wanted to know more about what was going on in the pages and, especially, in my head.

I want to say more, but this book must be spoiler-free due to the truth and the characters involved, so I must restrain myself and let the readers decide what they think since it was an excellent novel with an excellent premise in my opinion. Just read and comment but please do not spoil anything for others.

Final Thoughts:

A quick read, I couldn't stop until it was completed. It's a wonderful story of faith. Unexpected turns keep you turning the pages, and the central mystery of who this "Lord" is, keeps you guessing until you find out the final answer. Hundred percent recommended.

Synopsis:

“What would happen if we called on God for help and God actually appeared? In Mitch Albom’s profound new novel of hope and faith, a group of shipwrecked passengers pulls a strange man from the sea. He claims to be “the Lord”. And he says he can save them only if they all believe in him.

Adrift in a raft after a deadly ship explosion, nine people struggle for survival at sea. Three days pass. Short on water, food and hope, they spot a man floating in the waves. They pull him in.

“Thank the Lord we found you,” a passenger says.

“I am the Lord,” the man whispers.

So begins Mitch Albom’s most beguiling and inspiring novel yet.

Albom has written of heaven in the celebrated number one best sellers The Five People You Meet in Heaven and The First Phone Call from Heaven. Now, for the first time in his fiction, he ponders what we would do if, after crying out for divine help, God actually appeared before us? What might the Lord look, sound, and act like?

In The Stranger in the Lifeboat, Albom keeps us guessing until the end: Is this strange and quiet man really who he claims to be? What actually happened to cause the explosion? Are the survivors already in heaven, or are they in hell?

The story is narrated by Benji, one of the passengers, who recounts the events in a notebook that is later discovered - a year later - when the empty life raft washes up on the island of Montserrat.

It falls to the island’s chief inspector, Jarty LeFleur, a man battling his own demons, to solve the mystery of what really happened.

A fast-paced, compelling novel that makes you ponder your deepest beliefs, The Stranger in the Lifeboat suggests that answers to our prayers may be found where we least expect them.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Answered Prays, Belief, God, I Am Lord, Inspiration, Lord

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The Time Traveler's Wife

Published: 2003

Author: Audrey Niffenegger

Genres: Adult, Fiction, Literary, Romance, Science Fiction, Time Travel

Rating: 100/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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The Time Traveler's Wife 2009 (PG-13):

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Check the summary of this book here:

The Time Traveler's Wife Summary

The Review:

The Time Traveler's Wife is a time travel romance novel with science fiction elements that creates a sense of dread in the reader about the main character's safety, which is both enjoyable and depressing at the same time. But it's still a great book with something for everyone, with the exception of young children and those under the age of 18, due to the author, Miss. Audrey Niffenegger's, unapologetic use of foul language, which I loved.

The romance part is unique in this novel because of the age difference at many different points in the tale, but it makes you care about both major characters and want to see their love and romance blossom.

I wanted to buy this book as soon as it was released, but some of the booksellers near my house were selling it for a very high price due to the high demand for this book, so I decided to suffer and wait until its price returned to normal because I am one of those people who will never pay extra money just because someone is using hype to increase the actual price by many folds. So, to cut a long story short, I got the book three months later from the same person who was selling it for ten times the actual price, and when I reminded him about the issue after I bought the book, he just smiled and said it was just a part of our business.

I believe that if everyone stopped paying more, all of these con artists would have to sell for the true amount because none of the additional money we spend goes to the author, so why not simply wait a little longer?

Okay back to the book…

What I found difficult was that the book is somewhat sad at times. The author did such an excellent job of developing these people and their connections that I grew emotionally attached to them and found it difficult to follow them through their trials. Of course, a tale needs conflict and problems to move forward, so I can't complain, but certain portions were quite emotional for me to read. But I'd consider it a success because when I read, I want to feel something for the characters. Some readers may not like this style but that is the beauty of this book.

The narrative is so well-crafted, the tale is so romantic, tragic, and beautiful, and the characters are so unforgettable that I find myself wanting to read it again every year or so. Of course, there are narrative twists and time travel paradoxes that defy belief, but there are only about a half-dozen weird components in 100 Years of Solitude. And this novel makes you happy, in some way restoring your trust in romantic love.

It's fascinating how books that don't fit neatly into any one genre have the most intriguing concepts. The Time Traveler's Wife is a romance with elements of science fiction, fantasy, and more. The protagonist is Henry, a time traveler, and the adversary is time itself. It's a tale of man vs. nature delivered with fresh perspectives. I never imagined a time travel narrative could be told with such creativity.

While writing this review, I felt anger, hate, love, sad, worried, caring, betrayed, empty, broken, happy, and a slew of other emotions, but one of the most painful was feeling betrayed because of something I can't discuss due to spoiler issues. When I recall this feeling, it still burns my soul. It's as if you think someone is the purest thing, but they turn out to be tainted or just like anything else. Only a few books can make me feel this strongly, and at the moment, I can recall only one that did, and that was "The Book Of Flying" and I highly recommend it also even these books are not related and are not even from same genres.

The movie adaptation was not bad but the book and movie are a bit different because I think it was not possible to add nearly five hundred pages worth of material into a movie. I recommend the movie but better to read the book first if you haven’t read and watched the movie until now.

Final Thoughts:

I considered not awarding it a perfect score but decided against it because I was choking up until the very end because I knew what would happen to the main character from the beginning, and that is what the power of grabbing the reader is all about. Yes, it is depressing, but you must continue reading to find out what occurs on the following page and the outcome. A hint: the final pages will undoubtedly make your eyes melt, and perhaps even make you grin. But it all depends on how you receive the information you're looking for.

I know I am missing a lot of stuff about the book but it is just because it is so huge in so many ways to explain everything in a review. I want to talk more but for many things, I can’t because if I do, ill spoil the story for the readers.

Overall, I liked the narrative and the characters. It was simple to follow along. This book is highly recommended if you wish to read about a fantastic love.

Synopsis:

“Clare and Henry have known each other since Clare was six and Henry was 36. They were married when Clare was 23 and Henry was 31. Impossible but true, because Henry is one of the first people diagnosed with Chrono-Displacement Disorder: periodically his genetic clock resets and he finds himself misplaced in time, pulled to moments of emotional gravity from his life, past and future. His disappearances are spontaneous, his experiences unpredictable, alternately harrowing and amusing.

Clare and Henry's story unfolds from both points of view, depicting the effects of time travel on their marriage and their passionate love for each other. They attempt to live normal lives, pursuing familiar goals: steady jobs, good friends, children of their own. All of this is threatened by something they can neither prevent nor control, making their story intensely moving and entirely unforgettable.”

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