Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Babuschka · Frequent Guest Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 28

Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho, known for his novel "The Alchemist", has topped the bestseller lists in many countries. His writing has been classified as "fiction writing", close to magic realism.

It would be interesting to know if this kind of literature has had a repercussion in Russia and if you happen to read novels such as "The Alchemist" in your country.

AliceFromMoscow · WayToRussified Joined: 10 Jul 2004 Posts: 411

Coelho is very popular here.. Way to popular.. Thats why i havent read him Laughing

Babuschka · Frequent Guest Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 28

Dear Alice,

interesting point you are making! I just hope that you are not missing out on something really valuable.

I used to think the way you do, namely that it?s more worthwhile to use one?s precious time on reading the real classics of literature - and there are so many if we dig into world literature!

But then, by chance, two foreigners in Prague asked me to take a photo of them in the main square of the city, at the mayor?s house. We conversed a bit more and finally spent the whole evening together. When they found out that I was at a turning point of my life they convinced me that I needed to read "The Alchemist" which would help me to understand my inner longing and follow it.

It was thanks to that recommendation of two Spanish foreigners in Prague that I discovered a whole new world of symbolism and signs. I experienced a huge uplift in starting to live what I always had wanted to live.

I don?t think that without this book I would ever have taken so much confidence in trying to realize what had been just a "dream" of mine.

Not everybody needs to read a book to confirm with himself what is urgent to do, I am aware of this. But I just can?t deny nor get past the surprise of how important that book in particular has been to me. And it still is.

What?s more, in my humble perception, having studied literature at the faculty and read many other great books, I am convinced that "The Alchemist" will enter into being part of world literature herency as a classic, comparable to "The Little Prince" by Saint-Exup?ry.

Also the other books by Coelho are amazing. It is not the language and in the end it is not even the plot. It?s hard to say what it is, in the end, that makes them so readable. I guess, it?s the sincerity of the author who just shares about his human condition and he manages to provide new philosophical approaches towards practical issues that everybody will have to deal with in their life, sooner or later.

Cheers,
Babuschka

sputnik · Lounge Lizard Joined: 02 Jan 2005 Posts: 141

having read the alchemist by coelho, i agree with babuschka on the things this small novel says on the human condition. i doubt though whether we can say that paulo coelho is unique in his understanding of that. there are many authors that have shown a deep understanding and written about it. much of coelho's success i think can be attributed to his easily accessible writing.
for me, however, that was also a spoiler. bringing 'eternal wisdom' in the for of near-children's books, he can maybe reach a large audience, but also is capable of alienating many readers who prefer something more substantial that gives them more than just a few hours of reading.

try milan kundera or dostoyevski...

cyndy22 · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 7:40 pm Post subject:

I want to thank Babuschka for her book recommendation- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I finally got around to reading this little gem. It has completely changed my life. Smile

This weekend I went to my favorite used book store and browsed in their Russia section. I picked up a beautiful book on Pavlosk and a biography on Rasputin. I am going to start reading the Rasputin book and see if he really was the raving lunatic that seems to be associated with his name.

mss · Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 4:59 pm Post subject:

Camrade · Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:10 am Post subject:

2mss

я скажу проще: Коэльо - отстой Smile

как собственно и недавно нашумевший, но очень глупый товарищ Дэн Браун... хотя второй поинтереснее