A book you can read in a day

A book you can read in a day

Title: The Alchemist
Author: Paulo Coelho
Publication date: 1993

This is yet another book that I started without knowing what to expect. I hadn't even read the description when I set about to read it.

The Alchemist is a modern-day parable. The story begins in Spain and the protagonist crosses much of northern Africa on his attempt to find a great treasure. Along his journey, he comes in contact with a series of people who either put barriers in his way or help him in his quest.

Few characters within The Alchemist have names. The lead character is referred to simply as "the boy" despite the fact that he is of marriageable age throughout the entire story. Other characters are the Englishman, the candy seller and the alchemist. For some reason, this really bugged me.

The language of book is often beautiful particularly when you consider it was translated from another language (Portuguese? Spanish?) originally.

Because I don't live in either my past or my future. I'm interested only in the present. If you can concentrate only on the present, you'll be a happy man. 

I'm not certain what all the buzz has been about this book. In fact, I fell asleep while reading it twice.

Two stars

Next challenge: TBD