Books like The Alchemist

What to read after The Alchemist

Many people recommended this book to me, and I was skeptical to read it at first. Was it a self-help book? Many people will categorize it at such, but I discovered it was much more than that, it was about philosophy and life. With its magic, faraway land settings and whimsical narrative, The Alchemist has become a classic and a highly popular book. If you enjoyed the fable of the Andalusian shepherd, here are some other books you might also enjoy.

Books Similar to The Alchemist

Book Cover

Sorcery and Small Magics

Maiga Doocy

Sorcery and Small Magics is a story about two sorcerer's who must journey together to undo a curse they have accidentally unleashed. Like The Alchemist, this book follows characters on a personal journey, where they must navigate a world filled with mystical challenges and perils. With themes of self-discovery, Sorcery and Small Magics is a great book to read next if you want more stories of personal growth and discovering inner strength.

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How it's similar to The Alchemist

Subgenre

Fantasy
Literary Fiction

Tone

Emotional/Heartwarming
Humorous
Whimsical/Fantastical

Narrative

Character-Driven
Dialogue-Heavy
Lyrical/Descriptive
Multi-Perspective
Plot-Driven

Character Tropes

The Anti-Hero
The Hero
The Lover
The Mentor
The Outsider
The Rebel

Plot Tropes

Enemies to Lovers
Love
Sacrifice
Survival
The Hero's Journey
The Journey

Setting Tropes

Mysterious Location
Nature
Small Town

Conflict Tropes

Death or Threat of Death
Dysfunctional Families
Good vs. Evil
Identity Crisis
Man vs. Nature
Man vs. Self

Theme Tropes

Coming of Age
Friendship
Grief and Loss
Search for Meaning
Book Cover

The Astonishing Color of After

Emily X.R. Pan

The Astonishing Color of After is a beautiful novel about a girl in search for her mother, who she is convinced has turned into a bird after dying by suicide. It alternates between magic and reality, past and present, as the girl, Leigh, journeys to Taiwan where she will meet her mother's family for the first time. Like The Alchemist, this is the story about a journey, about growing up, of identity and a search for meaning, where Leigh will discover her mother's roots and culture.

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How it's similar to The Alchemist

Subgenre

Fantasy
Literary Fiction
Romance

Tone

Dark/Serious
Emotional/Heartwarming
Whimsical/Fantastical

Narrative

Character-Driven
Dialogue-Heavy
Lyrical/Descriptive
Multi-Perspective
Plot-Driven

Character Tropes

The Hero
The Lover
The Mentor
The Outsider
The Rebel

Plot Tropes

Love
Sacrifice
The Hero's Journey
The Journey

Setting Tropes

Mysterious Location
Nature

Conflict Tropes

Death or Threat of Death
Dysfunctional Families
Identity Crisis
Man vs. Nature
Man vs. Self

Theme Tropes

Coming of Age
Friendship
Grief and Loss
Search for Meaning
Book Cover

Big Fish

Daniel Wallace

I watched the movie Big Fish before I read the book, but they are both equally fantastic. Big Fish, like The Alchemist, is a coming of age story with themes of self-discovery and a boy's journey through life with elements of magical realism. With a lyrical tone, Big Fish tells the story of a son wanting to know his elderly father better, and trying to tell apart fact from fiction. It's a heartwarming story about discovering ones self and the connections we make with ourselves and our parents.

Buy on Bookshop Buy on Libro.fm

How it's similar to The Alchemist

Subgenre

Fantasy
Literary Fiction

Tone

Emotional/Heartwarming
Humorous
Whimsical/Fantastical

Narrative

Character-Driven
Dialogue-Heavy
Lyrical/Descriptive
Multi-Perspective
Plot-Driven

Character Tropes

The Hero
The Lover
The Outsider
The Rebel

Plot Tropes

Love
Sacrifice
The Hero's Journey
The Journey

Setting Tropes

Nature
Small Town

Conflict Tropes

Death or Threat of Death
Dysfunctional Families
Identity Crisis
Man vs. Self

Theme Tropes

Coming of Age
Friendship
Grief and Loss
Search for Meaning
Book Cover

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Shelby Van Pelt

Remarkably Bright Creatures is the story of an elderly lady who takes a cleaner job at an aquarium and the unlikely friendship and bond she forms with an also elderly octopus. This is a story told from different perspectives, including that of the octopus, of mystery, family and finding love in new places. Like The Alchemist, this is a story of self-discovery, and a search for meaning. While Remarkably Bright Creatures is not as whimsical and fantastical as The Alchemist, it's easy narrative will transport you to this small-town aquarium and the story will hold you in its grip.

Buy on Bookshop Buy on Libro.fm

How it's similar to The Alchemist

Subgenre

Literary Fiction

Tone

Emotional/Heartwarming
Humorous
Whimsical/Fantastical

Narrative

Character-Driven
Dialogue-Heavy
Lyrical/Descriptive
Multi-Perspective
Plot-Driven

Character Tropes

The Hero
The Lover
The Mentor
The Outsider

Plot Tropes

Love
Sacrifice
The Hero's Journey
The Journey

Setting Tropes

Nature
Small Town

Conflict Tropes

Death or Threat of Death
Dysfunctional Families
Identity Crisis
Man vs. Nature
Man vs. Self

Theme Tropes

Coming of Age
Friendship
Grief and Loss
Search for Meaning