The Alchemist

Written By Omma Ahmed
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The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Reviewed by Omma
📕📗📘

Originally written in Portuguese, this book has been translated into over 60 languages. Impressive right? Now don't get me wrong, it's beautifully written and it's a lovely story but personally I think this is one of the most overrated books I've ever read. I didn't find it nearly as profound and life-changing as everyone else makes out and it's not because I've missed the point in any way. It's a simple enough story about self-discovery and maybe you need to read it at a time where you might be a little lost and need a little soul searching to appreciate it more but I didn't take anything new away from it. It's pretty short and sweet and again it's written beautifully so it wasn't a total waste of time but don't have high expectations.

Omma Ahmed

I’ve always loved reading as a kid because it was one of the few Asian-mum approved hobbies although she would have preferred ‘less novels and more school books’! I also grew up in the Harry Potter era so that’s when I really remember falling in love with reading. (Big up my Y7 English teacher for reading a few pages of Philosophers stone at the end of every lesson! You were a real one Mr Williams!) I love being part of this book page (even though I slack massively due to lack of energy and concentration!) because sometimes it felt like a lifeline to help keep me sane. We started it during the time I was feeling really shitty about my Crohn’s disease. It’s been a tough 7 years and the last 3 have probably been the hardest especially mentally so when Linda suggested putting this page together, without hesitation I was down and I’m so proud of us! Writing reviews helped me to organise my thoughts and even resulted in me creating a second Instagram page (@AnOstomateForLife) about my Crohn’s journey. Yes that was a shameless plug and I’m not sorry! Along with reviews, I’ve also loved the creative side of things such as having input in our logo, creating our bookmark and taking book pictures even though it’s awkward af in public! So a few of my fave books: The Godfather by Mario Puzo (made me love the film even more! I’m a self-proclaimed movie buff too btw), Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Healy, The Harry Potter series (obviously), Jemima J by Jane Green, Moonlight over Manhattan by Sarah Morgan, Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple and We Should All Be Feminists Chimamanda Adichie.

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