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[deleted] OP t1_j9sk2rj wrote

Reply to comment by kittens_in_mittens_ in Update: so, I'm going to read 100 "classic" books, and To Kill a Mockingbird was the first on the list by [deleted]

What is the worst thing about The Alchemist?

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Acuzzam t1_j9slbnb wrote

As a brazilian, in my opinion, you should take The Alchemist out of the list and put The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas (also known in the US as Epitaph of a Small Winner) by Machado de Assis in its place. Paulo Coelho is very popular in the world but not really seen as this great author, Machado de Assis is considered by many the best and most important writer from our country.

Nothing against Paulo Coelho, you can read The Alchemist, but Brazil has lots of great authors and he is not even close to the top.

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Vogonvor t1_j9syzmp wrote

Honestly the Alchemist is short enough you might as well give it a go just don't expect it to be the life changing read that it's advertised as. It's a really simple book and some people love that though it didn't do much for me.

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coffeethenstyle t1_j9ska9v wrote

I’d keep it! The Alchemist isn’t for everyone but a lot of these books are divisive. I liked the book.

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[deleted] OP t1_j9slndj wrote

Fair! I'm not gonna lie, I did exclude books that I personally have some issues with. So, it would make sense that others feel the same way about some on my list. A lot of these books were referenced multiple times on various sites, so surely, they mean something to someone

I'll keep the Alchemist, unless a convincing argument can be made otherwise

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earlyriser79 t1_j9sn2az wrote

I think the argument is that it's not "literature", it's more like a fable in the self-help section. I enjoyed it when I was young, but it's not at the same level of the other classics. And it's pretty short, so it doesn't feel like a good dive in a world.

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unqualified101 t1_j9t52pq wrote

Keep the Alchemist and judge for yourself. Good luck with 100 books!!

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