That's so funny. I was in somebody's house and they picked up the alchemist and told me I should read it, and I asked them the same question.

"Is that about the boy who collects pebbles?"

And they told me

"Yea- well, no. I'm not really sure, i can't remember the specifics, but it was really really good".

And I was nice about it, but obviously if you cannot remember the main character or the point of the book at all it couldn't have been a very significant experience for you.