Similar to novel-to-film adaptations, comic book conversions become more popular with each bestselling phenomenon (even Lady Gaga and Stephenie Meyer have made their mark in the medium). Not surprisingly, Paulo Coelho's successful allegory The Alchemist quickly found a home in the graphic novel world at Harper Collins.

 

Adapted by Derek Ruiz and inked by Daniel Sampere, The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel does not flow like a history-heavy, action-packed journey drama one needs to re-read several times to fully understand its message. Instead, Ruiz penned Coelho's new take on the classic tale of following one's heart.

 

The story, set against the backdrop of early 20th century Spain and Egypt, follows Santiago, a young man on a quest to fulfill his personal legend -- his destiny. Educated as a boy, Santiago chooses to live the life of a shepherd in hopes of traveling and seeing the world first-hand. A recurrent dream pointing toward hidden treasure soon thwarts his plan, and he then meets an interesting array of folks (what good is a self-discovery trek without those?) along the way.

Setting Coelho's original text aside, Ruiz's writing leaves little room for implicit treasures or furthering religious motifs. While there are plenty of enjoyable simple tales, there is a yearning for detail and depth in this novel that neither Ruiz nor Sampere attend to. With that said, the story's simple, unassuming presentation delivers Santiago's lessons very straightforwardly, avoiding any muddled, pretentious pit stops.

 

With just weeks left until the winter holidays, a copy of this novel would make a nice gift for light comic book readers or anyone looking for a good story. Fans of the original novel can rest assured -- Coelho has stamped his seal of approval on the book: "It was an old dream of mine to have The Alchemist as a graphic novel. This version exceeds my expectations and is a beautiful manifestation of what I originally imagined while crafting this story."

 

The book hit shelves this past Tuesday -- now that Black Friday is over, you need not fear going to the mall.