The Alchemist Book Club Questions

Welcome to the Buddy Book Club – we have a light-hearted comedic podcast that covers a variety of books. We just finished up The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It had us questioning everything from overall meanings to our personal life choices. While it wasn’t one of our favorite books, we did enjoy the journey. If you want to check out the podcast you can listen to it here.

Our book club questions try to be a little more outside the box/comedic than your typical book club questions – hopefully you enjoy them.

Book Club Questions – The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

-> Would you consider this a self help book?

This was recommended for “The 37-year-old that’s always wanted to become a writer and work for themselves but feels stuck in their office job”, do you think that fits?

-> Santiago and the Englishman trek across the desert and luckily come upon an oasis… but are Oases real or just a magical element to this book?

Has anyone actually seen one?! I’m writing a blog on this very subject, I think they’re faker than the JFK assassination.

-> Was there a particular passage or quote that stuck out to you?

I think this one is pretty famous, “I don’t live in either my past or my future. I’m interested only in the present. If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man. Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, because life is the moment we’re living now.”

-> Did you think Santiago’s treasure was actually going to be physical treasure?

I was a little disappointed in the ending, seemed like the ‘treasure’ at the end would be some great reveal of what his personal legend should be, not physical treasure.

-> Is it possible that Santiago wasn’t actually working in a crystal shop, but instead was doing crystal meth the whole time?

The book is full metaphors and magic, but maybe, just maybe there is something else going on.

-> Did selling crystal cups and tea at the top of a hill make any sense?

This really bugged me, who would climb to the top of a big hill and then decide to buy fragile crystal and have to carry it with them on the way down? Plus, Santiago would have to carry the delicate crystal up the hill everyday as well.

-> Should the book have been named The Alchemist? Seems like “Personal Legend” would have made more sense

I would argue the king of Salem or even the crystal seller was a more important character than the Alchemist.

-> Is Santiago’s dad the best character in the book?

Encouraging his son to pursue his dreams, giving him money he’s saved up to help him buy sheep, seems like a great dude.

-> Who would you cast in a movie of the Alchemist?

Will Smith owns the rights to the movie, we helped give him some inspiration in our Make it a Movie blog. 

-> Many consider the Alchemist a top 5 book to read before you die, do you think it deserves that much praise?

We liked the book, but it isn’t going in our top 10 unfortunately, we’re more literal, to the point readers though.

 

Did we miss some questions? Reach out to us or check out our podcast.