View source for The Book of the Alchemist by Adam Williams

{{infobox1
|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
|pages=448 
|publisher= Hodder and Stoughton
|date= November 2009
|isbn=978-0340899137  
|sort=Book of the Alchemist
|cover=0340899131
|aznuk=0340899131
|aznus=0340899131
}}

''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}}
{{amazonUStext|amazon=0340899131}}

{{commenthead}}