The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

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Categories	Christian Books & Bibles
Author	Paulo Coelho
Publisher	HarperOne; Anniversary edition (April 15, 2014)
Language	English
Paperback	208 pages
Item Weight	2.31 pounds
Dimensions	7.9 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches

I. Book introduction

The Alchemist (Portuguese: O Alquimista) is a novel by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho which was first published in 1988. Originally written in Portuguese. Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations. The story follows the shepherd boy Santiago in his journey across North Africa to the Egyptian pyramids after he dreams of finding treasure there.

Plot

An Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago dreams of a treasure while in a ruined church. He consults a Gypsy fortune-teller about the meaning of the recurring dream. The woman interprets it as a prophecy, telling the boy that he will discover a treasure at the Egyptian pyramids.

After Santiago sets out, he meets Melchizedek, the king of Salem, who tells him to sell his sheep so as to travel to Egypt and accomplish his “Personal Legend”. Early on his arrival in Africa, a man who claims to be able to take Santiago to the pyramids instead robs him of the money he had made from his flock. Santiago then has to work for a crystal merchant to earn enough to continue his journey.

Along the way, the boy meets an Englishman who has come in search of an alchemist who can turn any metal to gold, and continues his travels with his new companion. When they reach an oasis, Santiago meets and falls in love with an Arabian girl named Fatima, to whom he proposes marriage. She promises to marry him only after he completes his journey. Frustrated at first, he later learns that true love will not stop nor must one sacrifice one’s destiny to it, since to do so robs it of truth.

The boy then encounters the wise alchemist, who teaches him to realize his true self. Together, they risk a journey through the territory of warring tribes, where Santiago is forced to demonstrate his oneness with the “Soul of the World” by turning himself into a dust storm before he is allowed to proceed.

When he reaches the pyramids and begins digging, he is robbed by thieves, who ask him what he is digging for; he replies that a dream has led him to buried treasure. The thieves scoff, and the leader remarks about a dream he once had about treasure under a tree at a ruined church. Santiago realizes the treasure he sought was where he had his original dream all along.

About the Author (Paulo Coelho)

Paulo Coelho is the author of “The Alchemist“, he was born in 1947 in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Being the author of 30 books that have sold over 320 million copies in 170 countries, he has become one of the most widely read authors in the world today. Paulo Coelho has been a United Nations Messenger of Peace since 2007 and this has allowed him to continue to promote intercultural dialogue and to focus on the needs of children. He is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters and the recipient of over 115 awards and honours, including the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the Grinzane Cavour Book Award and the Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur, to name a few.

Paulo Coelho was born on 24 August 1947 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and attended a Jesuit school. At age 17, Coelho’s parents committed him to a mental institution from which he escaped three times before being released at the age of 20. Coelho later remarked that “It wasn’t that they wanted to hurt me, but they didn’t know what to do… They did not do that to destroy me, they did that to save me.”

On his parents’ wishes, Coelho enrolled in law school and abandoned his dream of becoming a writer. One year later, he dropped out and lived life as a hippie, travelling through South America, North Africa, Mexico, and Europe and started using drugs in the 1960s.

Other titles include “The Pilgrimage”, “Brida”, “The Supreme Gift”, “The Valkyries”, “By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept”, “Maktub”, “The Fifth Mountain”, “Manual of the Warrior of Light”, “Veronika Decides to Die”, “The Devil and Miss Prym”, “Stories for Parents, Children and Grandchildren”, “Eleven Minutes”, “The Zahir”, “Like the Flowing River”, “The Witch of Portobello”, “The Winner Stands Alone”, “Aleph”, “Manuscript Found in Accra”, “Adultery”, “The Spy”, “Hippie”. Also “Journey” guided journal.

II. Reviewer: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Here is a summary of the book Review “The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho“. Helps you have the most overview of the book without searching through time. Please access “BookQuote.Net“ regularly or save it to keep track and update the latest information.

1. NILUFER OZMEKIK reviews The Alchemist

Whenever I felt lost, depressed, sad, numb, conflicted, frustrated, exhausted, I get this book into my hands and follow the journey of young shepherd Santiago who is looking for a worldly treasure. As like T.S. Eliot says: “ The journey not the arrival matters.”

This journey is about self discovery, fighting with your own demons, letting your heart being your own eyes and leading you throughout the dark and threatening roads of life. It’s epic, uplifting, motivational, inspirational,heartfelt, poignant!

Here are my favorite quotes of the book:

• “When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”
• “The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.”
• “Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.”
• “Don’t give in to your fears. If you do, you won’t be able to talk to your heart.”
• “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”
• “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

2. KON R. reviews The Alchemist

All those negative reviews are baffling to me. Where does it say this is a self help book? People are bashing the “lessons” as if this is some philosophical or religious work. It’s a fictional story that can be enjoyed by yourself or with your kids for ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES. It’s a fun story filled to the brim with quirks and marvels. I was curious the entire time how following one’s legend blindly would turn out for the boy. Am I going to now follow my dreams without logic and reason as in the story? No. Because I’m not a crazy person. Get over it. It’s just a story and a good one at that.

EDIT: My first 100+ likes review. Thank you everyone!

3. ZAIN reviews The Alchemist

Follow Your Dreams: A Fairy Tale?

The boy wanted to be a shepherd. He was unable to leave his destiny alone. Instead, he chose his fate, and changed it.

Now he gets to travel the world, searching for treasure (literally and figuratively).

Like every treasure hunt, there is adventure and danger! And stories and personal growth. And memories and the benefit of the experience.

Egged on by the mystical: The old gypsy woman. The God-like elder. The crystal glass mentor. The naive English man. The caravan guide and the alchemist!

The boy has his own mind and experiences, but it doesn’t prevent him from being open to advice.

His open mind keeps him focused and motivated, and kept alive whenever his life is in danger.

Lots of spiritual energy and religious morality, but it doesn’t stop the wars or violence. Or murder. Maybe even encourage it. A bit.

Still a story about a journey is always captivating and capable of giving good advice. The Alchemist is no different…

So, it gets five stars. 💫💫💫💫💫

4. MATTHEW reviews The Alchemist

3.5 Stars

The Alchemist is an interesting little spiritual fable. A little bit of several religions have an influence on the journey to enlightenment. Not a whole lot of exposition as the author gets right to the point throughout. It should be a quick read (unless you don’t care for it – and I have seen many less than satisfied reviews).

When I read this I was reminded a lot of Siddhartha. I read that one earlier this year so I have it fresh in my brain. Both of them are short novels (novellas, really) that tell about a simple and fairly unremarkable boy going through many encounters to find ultimate enlightenment. With this being the case, if you liked Siddhartha, I think that not only will you like this, you should read it for sure!

With that, I will end my review – leaving it short, just like the book!

5. PATRICIA WARREN reviews The Alchemist

A Beautiful Fable of Destiny and Self-Discovery

“The Alchemist” is a beautifully crafted fable that delves into the depths of life’s journey and the importance of pursuing one’s dreams. Paulo Coelho’s storytelling is enchanting, guiding readers through the protagonist’s quest for purpose and destiny. The themes of perseverance, self-discovery, and the interconnectedness of life resonate deeply, encouraging us to look beyond the present moment. This book is not just a tale; it’s an inspiring reminder to follow our hearts and chase our dreams. A truly transformative read that stays with you long after the last page!

6. KEZIAH reviews The Alchemist

Wondeful read

This book will keep you intrigued from beginning, middle, to the end. I found myself going back some pages to be sure that I knew what was going on. It was like mentally watching a movie. Great read, great lessons. I learned a lot of strength, courage, and never giving up through this book.

7. ELLA reviews The Alchemist

“The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho” Good Read~

My son needed this book for his English Literature class. I was an optional purchase for his class, I’m glad I bought it for him he was able to take notes in the book. He really enjoyed the story he feels go got more out of it by having it available when needed.

8. CORI reviews The Alchemist

LOVED THIS BOOK!!

I saw this on many people’s “must read” lists. I have had it in my cart for a couple years. Over prime days I saw there was a good deal -so I ordered it. One afternoon I Picked it up and didn’t put it down until I was done. Such a quick read. It was not at what I expected. It was SO much better! It’s a fantastic story, and loved the way it was written and read. It’s a Wonderful story of journey, signs, theology and life. I highly recommend. Recommended to my whole family and anyone who would listen.

9. JOYZI reviews The Alchemist

SPOILER ALERT!

This book is very inspiring and what I really need right now to motivate myself with my everyday endeavors. In the end the boy in the story who was searching for his treasure, despite the long travels and experiences, find his treasure not in the place where he suspected it to be, but in the place where he came from. It’s just pretty ironic that what have you looking for is in the end is just beside you right from the beginning. It’s just that what he learned and discovered from his travel is another treasure that he should realize in order to appreciate himself and the things around him.

A very inspiring and positive book, it actually gives me hope that the things that I aspire for will in the end I would achieve if only I strive hard and don’t lose hope until I get it. Sometimes the detours and the problems that we face now were later on in our life will make sense and when you remember that moment especially if you had overcome it you will know that you are thankful for that to happen because in the end you would learn something from it.

10. THARINDU DISSANAYAKE reviews The Alchemist

“when you want something, the whole universe conspires to help you.”

The Alchemist, categorized commonly as fiction, self-development as well as philosophy by most readers, did indeed give the feeling that it belongs to all these types, and then some. I believe, however, the meaning of the books is going to be entirely different from reader to reader, depending on his or her personal philosophical, religious, social and traditional systems of belief.

It’s true that most might interpret much similarly the parts on not giving up, having unshaken faith and pursuing one’s dreams amid numerous challenges. But there are a quite a lot more in this book, which could be interpreted in various ways. The intangible connection shared by everything that is in existence, certain implications that this is actually a one’s journey to understanding universe or enlightenment, the drastic differences in how a single situation is viewed and understood by different spectators, are some of these differences.

But in the end, irrespective of your beliefs, you will well enjoy this book, that is most suited your own way of seeing the world.

“The story of one person is the story of everyone, and one man’s quest is the quest of all humanity,”

“It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary; only wise men are able to understand them.”

III. The Alchemist Quotes by Paulo Coelho

The best book quotes from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”

“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”

“One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.”

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”

“So, I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you.”

“The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.”

“The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.”

“Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.”

“Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.”

“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.”

“No matter what he does, every person on earth plays a central role in the history of the world. And normally he doesn’t know it.”

“Don’t give in to your fears. If you do, you won’t be able to talk to your heart.”

“People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.”

“This is what we call love. When you are loved, you can do anything in creation. When you are loved, there’s no need at all to understand what’s happening, because everything happens within you.”

“We are travelers on a cosmic journey,stardust,swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.”

“Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.”

“If someone isn’t what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.”

“I don’t live in either my past or my future. I’m interested only in the present. If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man. Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, because life is the moment we’re living now.”

“When each day is the same as the next, it’s because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises.”

“You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it’s better to listen to what it has to say.”

“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too.”

“Why do we have to listen to our hearts?” the boy asked.
“Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you will find your treasure.”

“It was the pure Language of the World. It required no explanation, just as the universe needs none as it travels through endless time. What the boy felt at that moment was that he was in the presence of the only woman in his life, and that, with no need for words, she recognized the same thing. He was more certain of it than of anything in the world. He had been told by his parents and grandparents that he must fall in love and really know a person before becoming committed. But maybe people who felt that way had never learned the universal language. Because, when you know that language, it’s easy to understand that someone in the world awaits you, whether it’s in the middle of the desert or in some great city. And when two such people encounter each other, and their eyes meet, the past and the future become unimportant. There is only that moment, and the incredible certainty that everything under the sun has been written by one hand only. It is the hand that evokes love, and creates a twin soul for every person in the world. Without such love, one’s dreams would have no meaning.”

“If you start by promising what you don’t even have yet, you’ll lose your desire to work towards getting it.”

“Intuition is really a sudden immersion of the soul into the universal current of life.”

“Don’t think about what you’ve left behind” The alchemist said to the boy as they began to ride across the sands of the desert. “If what one finds is made of pure matter, it will never spoil. And one can always come back. If what you had found was only a moment of light, like the explosion of a star, you would find nothing on your return.”

“And, when you can’t go back, you have to worry only about the best way of moving forward.”

“There is only one way to learn. It’s through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey.”

“When someone sees the same people every day, as had happened with him at the seminary, they wind up becoming a part of that person’s life. And then they want the person to change. If someone isn’t what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.”

“making a decision was only the beginning of things. When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision.”

“Maktub,” she said. “If I am really part of your dream, you’ll come back one day.”

“It’s one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it’s another to think that yours is the only path.”

“You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it’s better to listen to what it has to say. That way, you’ll never have to fear an unanticipated blow.”

“People are afraid to pursue their most important dreams, because they feel that they don’t deserve them, or that they’ll be unable to achieve them.”

Excerpted from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

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