Searching in Vain for Gold at Tom's

Dinner and Acknowledgments

Despite our best intentions, the MBC couldn’t quite turn The Alchemist into gold when we met on December 2. Tom, our host for the evening, certainly tried—treating us to an excellent spread of Middle Eastern dishes: hummus, baba ganoush, shawarma, pita, and several bottles of his award-winning San Marino Cellars wines. 

The menu paired well with Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, which follows Santiago, a young Spanish shepherd, as he travels across North Africa in pursuit of his “Personal Legend.” Though fewer than 200 pages, the book traces Santiago’s journey from Spain to the Egyptian desert, where he ultimately discovers that the treasure he seeks lies not under the pyramids but back where his quest began. Along the way, he faces temptations to settle into comfortable lives, yet chooses each time to continue onward, guided by mystics, kings, and even bandits.

Our Review of The Alchemist

Tom described the novel as a pleasant, concise read. Having read it decades ago, he welcomed the opportunity to revisit it. He enjoyed following Santiago’s transformation—from shepherd to crystal merchant to desert traveler—and appreciated the book’s themes, particularly Santiago’s romantic attachment to Fatima and his choice to pursue his quest despite it.

Stan wished he could have read the book in its original Portuguese but still found the English translation reflective of other Brazilian literature centered on village life. He saw the book as a string of parables exploring the consequences of life choices.

Dean compared the novel to the Bible, reading it as an homage to the New Testament, especially as Santiago wanders the desert in search of spiritual clarity. He wondered whether the simplicity of the writing stemmed from the translation, but ultimately saw the book as a meditation on self-discovery and the idea that no single religion holds all the answers.

Terry had mixed feelings. At its best, he found the book a solid allegory; at its worst, an exercise in Christian-style positive thinking. He felt Coelho intentionally left room for readers to insert their own state of being and personal perspective.

Doug appreciated the story’s “go for it” sentiment but found the book more self-help than literature. Even so, he valued its affirming message that faith—whatever its form—can manifest in daily life.

Larry felt the book would have held more meaning for him in his youth. Now in his seventies, he sees himself at a life stage similar to Santiago’s ending—comfortable, grounded, and surrounded by family. For Larry, life’s journey eventually becomes less about personal dreams and more about those we love.

Dan didn’t rank the book among his favorites. Despite its brevity, he didn’t find it a quick read (though he appreciated that his edition included pictures). He couldn’t believe how often Santiago lost his money to swindlers. Still, he was glad to have read it, even if it left little impact.

Glen echoed the feeling that the novel is not literary fiction. He found the character development thin and thought the book would fit well in a high-school curriculum. He did appreciate its short length.

Garth felt the book attempted—but failed—to convey the idea that each person is connected to the greater world. He cited the scene in which Santiago “becomes the wind” as particularly clumsy, noting that such transcendent experiences can be portrayed much more effectively. He shared an example from his own life, recalling a similarly immersive moment while snorkeling in the Galápagos.

Paul approached the book hoping for encouragement about pursuing one’s dreams, and that is exactly what it provided. Though he didn’t consider it a great work, he felt he took something meaningful from it.

Andrew described The Alchemist as Eat, Pray, Love for teenage boys. To him, it read like a Hallmark-style guide to spirituality, with a smorgasbord of feel-good ideas designed to appeal to the widest possible audience. 

Jack sensed there was a message somewhere in the story, but felt it was obscured by its young-adult tone and a parade of familiar allegories. Though he found a few passages compelling, he was mostly relieved the book was short.

Rating The Alchemist

In the end, the MBC agreed that while The Alchemist didn’t spin itself into gold for the group—earning a subpar 5.4—it has certainly been a golden goose for Paulo Coelho, with more than 150 million copies sold since its 1988 publication. Our general recommendation: for readers just beginning their life journey, or for those still searching for their Personal Legend, this short novel may provide meaningful inspiration. Or perhaps the real lesson is simpler: sometimes the treasure really is buried right beneath the tree in your own backyard.

Up Next: The History of Sound by Ben Shattuck

Jack proffered a surfeit of excellent titles, among them Nathan Hill's Wellness; Ben Shattuck's short story collection, The History of Sound; Preparation for the Next Life by Atticus Lish; Devil Makes Three by Ben Fountain; and Adam Ross' Playworld.  We opted for the shortest in page length not from laziness but more out of curiosity about a short story writer whose work has gotten rave reviews.  We'll see in January if they're deserved.