Discussion Questions for The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

1. At the start of his journey, when Santiago asks a gypsy woman to interpret his dream about a treasure in the Egyptian pyramids, she asks for one tenth of the treasure in return. When Santiago asks the old man to show him the path to the treasure, the old man requests one tenth of his flock as "payment." Both payments represent a different price we have to pay to fulfill a dream; however, only one will yield a true result. Which payment represents false hope? Can you think of examples from your own life when you had to give up something to meet a goal and found the price too high?

2. Paulo Coelho once said that alchemy is all about pursuing our spiritual quest in the physical world as it was given to us. It is the art of transmuting the reality into something sacred, of mixing the sacred and the profane. With this in mind, can you define your Personal Legend? At what time in your life were you first able to act on it? What was your "beginner's luck"? Did anything prevent you from following it to conclusion? Having read The Alchemist, do you know what inner resources you need to continue the journey?

3. One of the first major diversions from Santiago's journey was the theft of his money in Tangiers, which forced him into taking a menial job with the crystal merchant. There, Santiago learned many lessons on everything from the art of business to the art of patience. Of all these, which lessons were the most crucial to the pursuit of his Personal Legend?

4. When he talked about the pilgrimage to Mecca, the crystal merchant argued that having a dream is more important than fulfilling it, which is what Santiago was trying to do. Do you agree with Santiago's rationale or crystal merchant's?

5. The Englishman, whom Santiago meets when he joins the caravan to the Egyptian pyramids, is searching for "a universal language, understood by everybody." What is that language? According to the Englishman, what are the parallels between reading and alchemy? How does the Englishman's search for the alchemist compares to Santiago's search for a treasure? How did the Englishman and Santiago feel about each other?

6. The alchemist tells Santiago "you don't have to understand the desert: all you have to do is contemplate a simple grain of sand, and you will see in it all the marvels of creation." With this in mind, why do you think the alchemist chose to befriend Santiago, though he knew that the Englishman was the one looking for him? What is the meaning of two dead hawks and the falcon in the oasis? At one point the alchemist explains to Santiago the secret of successfully turning metal into gold. How does this process compare to finding a Personal Legend?

7. Why did Santiago have to go through the dangers of tribal wars on the outskirts of the oasis in order to reach the pyramids? At the very end of the journey, why did the alchemist leave Santiago alone to complete it?

8. Earlier in the story, the alchemist told Santiago "when you possess great treasures within you, and try to tell others of them, seldom are you believed." At the end of the story, how did this simple lesson save Santiago's life? How did it lead him back to the treasure he was looking for?

Thanks to the Reading Group for the Questions !!

The Witch of Portobella by Paulo Coelho

How do we find the courage to always be true to ourselves—even if we are unsure of whom we are?
That is the central question of international bestselling author Paulo Coelho's profound new work, The Witch of Portobello. It is the story of a mysterious woman named Athena, told by the many who knew her well—or hardly at all. Among them:

"People create a reality and then become the victims of that reality. Athena rebelled against that—and paid a high price."Heron Ryan, journalist

"I was used and manipulated by Athena, with no consideration for my feelings. She was my teacher, charged with passing on the sacred mysteries, with awakening the unknown energy we all possess. When we venture into that unfamiliar sea, we trust blindly in those who guide us, believing that they know more than we do."Andrea McCain, actress

"Athena's great problem was that she was a woman of the twenty-second century living in the twenty-first, and making no secret of the fact, either. Did she pay a price? She certainly did. But she would have paid a still higher price if she had repressed her natural exuberance. She would have been bitter, frustrated, always concerned about 'what other people might think,' always saying, 'I'll just sort these things out, then I'll devote myself to my dream,' always complaining 'that the conditions are never quite right.'"Deidre O'Neill, known as Edda

Like The Alchemist, The Witch of Portobello is the kind of story that will transform the way readers think about love, passion, joy, and sacrifice.

This is the third book of Paulo Coelho that I have read ... And I have to say that The Alchemist is still my firm favourite ... I loved the cover of this novel ... And the concept to the story is very interesting as it is told from people who knew the main character of Athena ...

It is basically Athena's journey through life told from her friends and family ... Let me start by telling you the good things about the book ... It is littered with loads of stories and quotes which are as ever makes you stop and think ... Some of my favourites are

"What is a teacher? I'll tell you: it isn't someone who teaches something, but someone who inspires the student to give of her best in order to discover what she already knows" Pg 88

"Look at a skilled blacksmith working steel. To the untrained eye, he's merely repeating the same hammer blows, but anyone trained in the art of calligraphy knows that each time the blacksmith lifts the hammer and rings it down, the intensity of the blow is different. The hand repeats the same gesture, but as it approaches the metal it understands that it must touch it with more or less force. It's the same things with repetition: it many seem the same, but it's always different. The moment will come when you no longer need to think about what you're doing" Pg 91

"Money brings happiness. Fine. In that case, everyone who earns enough to have a high standard of living would be able to stop work. But then they're more troubled than ever, as if they were afraid of losing everything. Money attracts money, that's true. Poverty might bring unhappiness, but money won't necessarily bring happiness" Pg 144

Ok they were among my favourite quotes ... But I have to say that I did struggle to finish this book and it took me alot longer than I thought .... I do know that the book is centred around Athena but I found her quite selfish ... I know that it is her journey but it seems that was all she cared about and she really didn't care about how it effected the people around her ... I do appreciate that you can lose yourself in dance and mediation but I think I would have found her abit weird if every second you see her that she just danced around the place ...

I know alot of people love Coelho's novels and The Alchemist still remains one of my favourites but I have struggled with his other novels ...

I rate this book 2**

Paulo Coelho talking about his novel



Here's a link to his blog ::: http://paulocoelhoblog.com/

Teaser Tuesday

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers

"What is the secret of life? We call it "grace" or "blessing". Everyone struggles to be satisfied with what they have. Apart from me. Apart from you. Apart from a few people who will, alas, have to make a small sacrifice in the name of something greater"

Pg 196 The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho

Teaser Tuesday

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers

"On a night very like this, many years ago, his whole life had changed. It might have been the age of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, but there were also people around at the time in search of unknown forces, forces they didn't even believe in. They made use of magical powers, all the while thinking that they were stronger than the powers themselves, convinced that they'd be able to leave the Tradition as soon as boredom set in"

Pg 168 of Brida by Paulo Coelho

Brida by Paulo Coelho

"But how will I know who my Soulmate is?" "By taking risks," she said to Brida. "By risking failure, disappointment, disillusion, but never ceasing in your search for Love. As long as you keep looking, you will triumph in the end." This is the story of Brida, a beautiful young Irish girl, and her quest for knowledge. On her journey she meets a wise man who teaches her about overcoming her fears, and a woman who teaches her how to dance to the hidden music of the world. They see in her a gift, but must let her make her own voyage of discovery. As Brida seeks her destiny, she struggles to find a balance between her relationships and her desire to transform herself. A moving tale of love, passion, mystery and spirituality from the master storyteller and author of The Alchemist. "Coelho is a novelist who writes in a universal language." New York Times

I got drawn by this book mainly because I had read and really loved the Alchemist and the story line is also set in my beloved Ireland .... So I think I had really high hopes for this novel ...

There is throughout the novel certain thought provoking sentences which do make you think but I sort of got lost when it went down the road of witchcraft etc .... And not that I am a prude about matters like that because I have read and enjoyed a number of books with that subject ... But because I found myself feeling abit uncomfortable with some of the spiritual views expressed ... I was looking for the same enlightenment and delight which I received when I read the Alchemist which was missing in this novel ...

Brida the main character is a likable character and you do relate to her search for a Sole mate ... Isn't that what everyone wishes to be able to find their other half ... The special someone who you feel completes you ...

And I do agree with going on a personal journey to find yourself before you can let someone else in ... The wise man Magus is a lovely character and he can see the potential in Brida but has got to let her make her own discoveries while watching in the sidelines ... And there is a real sense when reading the novel to be more aware of the world around you ..

This is a quick and easy read and dotted throughout are bits of magic !!!

Unfortunately not in the same class as The Alchemist which still remains one of my favourite books ...

I rate this book 2 **

Bring on 2009

I am actually really excited that it is 2009 ... Hurray !!

I have been looking at my list of books to read and have been dying to dive in ... I have to say that I have struggled a wee bit on the 1% challenge partly my own fault for signing alot later than I should have done and then finding that the books that I choose are quite heavy going ... Lesson learnt for this year ... lol ...

I feel it is going to be a great year this year for reading and looking forward to getting together as a book club again !!!

I had a couple of favourite books for 2008 that really stood out for me that I loved ...

The Uglies Series - Scott Westerfeld

Twilight Series - Stephanie Meyer

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary-Ann Shaffer

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett

The Necklace by Cheryl Jarvis

Dark Heavens Series by Kylie Chan

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

I have a few more that I really liked but the above books just had that something extra ...

Anyway .... Happy Reading everyone .... And look forward to loads of reviews ..........

999

The 999 challenge for next year !!!! Read 9 books in 9 catagories during 2009 ....

You can do it yourself just follow the link:

My List of Catagories are

1) Historical

2) Children's Books/YA

3) Favourite Author's Books that I haven't read before

4) Authors that are new to me

5) LDS Church Books

6) Sitting way to long on my shelf

7) Classics

8) Award Winners

9) Books I found on the internet and in the Bookstore

Historical

1)The Virgin's Lover by Phillippa Gregory

2)The Constant Princess by Phillippa Gregory

3)The Boleyn Inhertance by Phillippa Gregory

4)The Spanish Bride by Georgette Heyer

5)Royal Escape by Georgette Heyer

6) The Independence of Miss Mary Bennett by Colleen McCullough

7)The Glass of Time by Micheal Cox

8) The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Settlefield

9)

Children's Books / YA

1)Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

2)The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Selznick

3)Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke

4)Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

5) 3 Willows by Ann Brashares

6) Graceling by Kristen Cashore

7)Frostbite by Richelle Mead

8) The Chronicles of Spiderwick - Book 1 the Field Guide by Holly Black and Toni Terilizzi

9)The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Favourite Author's Books that I haven't Read Before

1)The Witch of Portabello by Paulo Coelho
2)Brida by Paulo Coelho

3)The Host by Stephenie Meyer

4)Shadow kiss by Richelle Mead

5) All together Dead by Charlaine Harris

6)From Dead to Worst by Charlaine Harris

7)Dead and gone by Charlaine Harris

8) The Tales of Beedle The Bard by J K Rowling

9)The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfeld

Authors that are new to me

1)Will you be there? by Guilaume

2)Head over heels by Chris Harrison

3) Evernight by Claudia Gray

4)The Rose of Sebastopol by Katherine MacMahon

5)Tethered by Amy MacKinnon

6) Red Dress Walking by S A Jones

7) The Six Sacred Stones by Matthew Reilly

8) Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

9)

LDS Church Books

1) Fishers of Men - Lund

2) Behold the Man - Lund

3) Faith the Essence of true Religion by Gordon B Hinckley

4) A Perfect Brightness of Hope by Canfield

5) Arise and Shine Forth - Talks from the 2000 women's Conference

6)

7)

8)

9)

Sitting on my Shelf for way too long

1) Double life of Doctor Lopez by Dominic Green

2) Year of Wonder by Geraldine Brooks

3) Lucky Man by Micheal J Fox

4) Sunday at Tiffany's by James Patterson

5) The Conjurors Bird by Martin Davies

6) Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

7) The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

8)

9)

Classics

1) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

2) Possession by A S Byatt

3) To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee

4) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

5) Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

6) Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott

7) The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

8)

9)

Award Winners

1) The Kite Runner by Khailed Hosseini

2) Dragon Keeper by Carole Wilkinson

3) The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards

4) Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

5) Someone like me by Elaine Forresal

6) Dead until Dawn by Charlaine Harris

7)

8)

9)

Books I found on the Internet or in the Bookstore

1) Club Dead by Charlaine Harris

2) Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris

3) Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris

4) A Cup Of Light by Nicole Mones

5) The Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
6) Life on the Refrigerator Door by Alice Kuipers

7) The Next Thing on My List by Jill Smolinski

8) The Spare Room by Helen Garner

9)Definately Dead by Charlaine Harris

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (5)

While browsing the 100 best books in Angus and Robinson I came across The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

It isn't a very thick book but it has so many wonderful stories hidden inside ...

It is described as being a modern day Fairy Tale and is about the personal journey of a Shepherd Boy. I loved the different parables dotted throughout the story and it really made me reflect on what my goals and dreams are ... And what am I doing to achieve them !!! As a bookclub we had quite a lengthy and spiritual discussion on the many things we as woman strive to do and what are the obstacles that are blocking us ...

Know matter what life throws at this young boy he always looks to the brighter side it is the case of is the cup half empty or full ????

If you are looking to read an uplifting book then this book is for you ....

Loved, Loved, Loved this book .....

I Rate it 5 *****