132,585
edits
Changes
From TheBookbag
Jump to navigationJump to searchThe Book of the Alchemist by Adam Williams (view source)
Revision as of 10:15, 23 November 2009
, 10:15, 23 November 2009Created page with '{{infobox |title= The Book of the Alchemist |author= Adam Williams |reviewer= Milli Pithie |genre=Historical Fiction |summary= A good story told with average ability. |rating=3…'
{{infobox
|title= The Book of the Alchemist
|author= Adam Williams
|reviewer= Milli Pithie
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary= A good story told with average ability.
|rating=3.5
|buy= Maybe
|borrow= Yes
|format= Hardback
|pages=448
|publisher= Hodder and Stoughton
|date= November 2009
|isbn=978-0340899137
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0340899131</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>0340899131</amazonus>
|sort=Book of the Alchemist
}}
''The Book of the Alchemist'' is a story within a story. It opens in 1938 during the Spanish Civil War. Pinzon, a Spanish politician who resigns for moral reasons, is taken hostage by a group of Republican soldiers, along with his young Grandson. A group of villagers are also taken captive and locked in a cathedral as part of the soldiers' desperate plan to protect themselves from the Fascist forces that are hunting them. A cavernous mosque built inside the mountain under the cathedral's crypt is discovered, and in it, a book. As Pinzon reads the book, another story unfolds, set in the eleventh century. This is the story of Samuel the Jew.
It's a story which seems to tick all the boxes; love, friendship, mystery, war, history and tragedy. It doesn't sound groundbreaking but it certainly sounds like jolly good fun. And, to a certain extent, it is an enjoyable read. When you get past the fragmented beginning which seems to skip past a series of important events and at times threatens to become a history lesson, you reach the part of interest. It kicks off with a cold blooded shooting or two to get you hooked and then a group of hostages are herded into a cathedral and things start to look promising. It is a good story, touching and tragic in parts, and no doubt a lot of people will enjoy it, yet something never quite sits right.
Firstly, the speech never feels natural, and as a result, the characters feel contrived and even irritating. Secondly, the narrative voice is often too authoritarian, 'telling' us rather than 'showing' us. I like to be left to decide what I think of a character, not be told who is noble, who is selfish, who is a good leader and who is cruel.
Unfortunately, it just doesn't do itself justice. The good parts are hindered by stiff speech or hurried through, and it takes a long time for sympathy to develop towards the characters, despite their terrible situations. Nevertheless, if you love a good story but aren't so bothered about writing style, then you will probably really enjoy this book. Personally, I wouldn't buy it for its recommended retail price, although you get your money's worth in length. I also suggest briefly researching the Spanish Civil war before reading this.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.
If you like this you will love [[The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon]].
{{amazontext|amazon=0340899131}} {{waterstonestext|waterstones=6542494}}
{{commenthead}}
|title= The Book of the Alchemist
|author= Adam Williams
|reviewer= Milli Pithie
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary= A good story told with average ability.
|rating=3.5
|buy= Maybe
|borrow= Yes
|format= Hardback
|pages=448
|publisher= Hodder and Stoughton
|date= November 2009
|isbn=978-0340899137
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0340899131</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>0340899131</amazonus>
|sort=Book of the Alchemist
}}
''The Book of the Alchemist'' is a story within a story. It opens in 1938 during the Spanish Civil War. Pinzon, a Spanish politician who resigns for moral reasons, is taken hostage by a group of Republican soldiers, along with his young Grandson. A group of villagers are also taken captive and locked in a cathedral as part of the soldiers' desperate plan to protect themselves from the Fascist forces that are hunting them. A cavernous mosque built inside the mountain under the cathedral's crypt is discovered, and in it, a book. As Pinzon reads the book, another story unfolds, set in the eleventh century. This is the story of Samuel the Jew.
It's a story which seems to tick all the boxes; love, friendship, mystery, war, history and tragedy. It doesn't sound groundbreaking but it certainly sounds like jolly good fun. And, to a certain extent, it is an enjoyable read. When you get past the fragmented beginning which seems to skip past a series of important events and at times threatens to become a history lesson, you reach the part of interest. It kicks off with a cold blooded shooting or two to get you hooked and then a group of hostages are herded into a cathedral and things start to look promising. It is a good story, touching and tragic in parts, and no doubt a lot of people will enjoy it, yet something never quite sits right.
Firstly, the speech never feels natural, and as a result, the characters feel contrived and even irritating. Secondly, the narrative voice is often too authoritarian, 'telling' us rather than 'showing' us. I like to be left to decide what I think of a character, not be told who is noble, who is selfish, who is a good leader and who is cruel.
Unfortunately, it just doesn't do itself justice. The good parts are hindered by stiff speech or hurried through, and it takes a long time for sympathy to develop towards the characters, despite their terrible situations. Nevertheless, if you love a good story but aren't so bothered about writing style, then you will probably really enjoy this book. Personally, I wouldn't buy it for its recommended retail price, although you get your money's worth in length. I also suggest briefly researching the Spanish Civil war before reading this.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.
If you like this you will love [[The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon]].
{{amazontext|amazon=0340899131}} {{waterstonestext|waterstones=6542494}}
{{commenthead}}
