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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that The Alchemist is massively overrated?

29 replies

toconclude · 03/01/2021 14:17

I suppose I should have known, bearing in mind all the sleb blurbs but honestly - trite, cod-philosophic garbage or what? So sorry I even spent charity shop money on it.

OP posts:
OhWhyNot · 03/01/2021 14:20

Pretentious nonsense

That’s my review of the book

elQuintoConyo · 03/01/2021 14:22

Steaming pile of wank.

However, I loved Veronica Decides to Die, however depressing it sounds!

MacavityTheDentistsCat · 03/01/2021 14:23

I couldn't agree more.

2typesofjungle · 03/01/2021 14:23

Agreed with the above Poster, Veronika Decides to Die is a much much better book.

Elouera · 03/01/2021 14:25

I thought you were talking about the bar chain. I've never heard of the book!

toconclude · 03/01/2021 14:25

@2typesofjungle

Agreed with the above Poster, Veronika Decides to Die is a much much better book.
Will see if the library has it.
OP posts:
DrManhattan · 03/01/2021 14:25

Ha I thought you meant the bar in Manchester lol

Plonque · 03/01/2021 14:26

@Elouera

I thought you were talking about the bar chain. I've never heard of the book!

Same Grin I quite like their dry ice cocktails the price, not so much.

FestiveStrop · 03/01/2021 14:26

YANBU- time I'll never get back.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 03/01/2021 14:31

This is why I LOVE MN! You can always find a tribe and people - you are my tribe.

SunInTheSkyYouKnowHowIFeel · 03/01/2021 14:38

For those who have read Veronica decides to die, did you predict the way it turns out or not?

I agree VDtD is better

redavocado · 03/01/2021 15:21

Veronica Decides to Die and By the River Piedra are much, much better books. TA is self indulgent shite - and I'm so pleased to find that others agree!

Mirrorxx · 03/01/2021 15:22

@DrManhattan me too

Elopelo · 03/01/2021 15:26

Agree OP. I had wanted to read it for years as heard so many good things about it. Finally got a chance and honestly I can say it was the worst book I have ever read! Was about to give up in the middle but thought maybe the second half would redeem the first..... shouldn't have bothered. I don't understand why it gets so many rave reviews. Terrible.

LaceyBetty · 03/01/2021 15:28

I was so surprised when I finally read it. Not what I was expecting. It was pure crap.

profilechange · 03/01/2021 15:43

Awful, couldn't finish it 😬

Brefugee · 03/01/2021 15:44

i kept pushing through expecting there would be a kind of "AHA!" moment. But it never came.

A book to be cast aside with great force.

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 03/01/2021 15:45

I also thought you meant the bar chain. I was about to say that I agree Grin

TheVamoosh · 03/01/2021 15:47

I've read children's books that were more profound.

AliceAbsolum · 03/01/2021 15:47

Oh I'm so glad you said that. Yes!

StrawberrySquash · 03/01/2021 16:22

Agree. Was expecting far more to it. Although having not be able to go on a vogage of discovery / nice city break for the best part of a year, I do have more sympathy with the protagonist.

ThisIsNotARealAvo · 03/01/2021 16:57

I remember when everyone was reading those and they were such a steaming pile of old shit.

Norabloody · 03/01/2021 17:27

It’s like sophie’s world
Common denominator shite passed off as philosophy

elQuintoConyo · 03/01/2021 18:55

I can vaguely remember Veronica, but I read it in around 2002-ish. I'd love to re-read it but I lent it to a friend and poof! I don't know if I'd enjoy it at 45 as I did when I was 27, so I may leave that one in the past. I did find it uplifting and named a tree after it Grin

alltoomuchrightnow · 03/01/2021 18:58

Yes Veronika is great and uplifting. I couldn't even finish The Alchemist..

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