Alchemy

I echo Valerie S's sentiments. Having not read the blurb I thought the book started with gentle promise but was ultimately very disappointing. Coehlo had interestingly combined aspects of Sufism, Christian mysticism and Platonic philosophy in the very beginning but this quickly degenerated into Disney-like spirituality of the "listen to your heart" variety. The discovery of gold as the final treasure was truly terrible - had he learnt nothing? It also didn't make sense of the rest of the plot, afterall, he had success and wealth back with the crystal merchant and again at the oasis. I could have even have bought into a post-modern 'the journey was the destination' ending otherwise immortality was the very least he deserved.

A lot more 'magic' needed to turn this book into gold!