The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho
52 people recommended it in 27 threads, 2007–2024.
6 commenters pushed back on it — worth reading the threads.
What people on Hacker News said
The Alchemist -- rereading of one of my favorite books of all time
The Alchemist -- reread one of my favorites of all time
The Alchemist - help you read the signs from the heart of the World for your own path
It sounds ridiculous, I know, but it's almost as-if the book was written for me. I'd say I'm nothing if not a dreamer so it really speaks to what I want to believe about life, namely that I can do with it what I want.
The Alchemist - the closest thing in my life to a religious text. Just a beautiful story that I can recall at any time for some calm.
These books taught me to take risk and importance of being different.
This book is pure gold, however one has to approach it with a right mindset. It's not the best literature, per se, you will ever read, but if you take a deeper look, it's very simple, yet very profound.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: Great fiction books that have had a positive impact on your life? 2020 · 5 recommendations
- Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift? 2016 · 5 recommendations
- Ask HN: What are the books that changed the perspective of your life? 2015 · 4 recommendations
- Ask HN: Best book you read in 2010 and briefly why 2010 · 4 recommendations
- Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything? 2019 · 3 recommendations
- Ask HN: Which non-technology book has influenced you the most and why? 2017 · 3 recommendations
- Ask: Read a book that changed your life? Title? 2013 · 3 recommendations
- Ask HN: Mind bending books to read and never be the same as before? 2020 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: Best books you read in the past decade? 2019 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: What's one book that changed your life? 2018 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: What are your favorite books? I'm bored 2014 · 2 recommendations
- Ask YC: favorite books 2007 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read? 2024 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Which books you have read till now that were worth investing time in? 2022 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life? 2020 · 1 recommendation
- Books I recommend to my software engineering students 2020 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer? 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Which book have you re-read recently? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you read in 2016? 2016 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you read in 2015? 2015 · 1 recommendation