Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #97299 in Books
• Published on: 1993-08-18
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Like the one-time bestseller Jonathan Livingston Seagull, The Alchemist presents a simple fable, based on simple truths and places it in a highly unique situation. And though we may sense a bestselling formula, it is certainly not a new one: even the ancient tribal storytellers knew that this is the most successful method of entertaining an audience while slipping in a lesson or two. Brazilian storyteller Paulo Coehlo introduces Santiago, an Andalucian shepherd boy who one night dreams of a distant treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. And so he's off: leaving Spain to literally follow his dream.

Along the way he meets many spiritual messengers, who come in unassuming forms such as a camel driver and a well-read Englishman. In one of the Englishman's books, Santiago first learns about the alchemists--men who believed that if a metal were heated for many years, it would free itself of all its individual properties, and what was left would be the "Soul of the World." Of course he does eventually meet an alchemist, and the ensuing student-teacher relationship clarifies much of the boy's misguided agenda, while also emboldening him to stay true to his dreams. "My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy confides to the alchemist one night as they look up at a moonless night.

"Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself," the alchemist replies. "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."

Synopsis
A fable about undauntingly following one's dreams, listening to one's heart, and reading life's omens features dialogue between a boy and an unnamed being. Reissue.

About the Author
Paulo Coelho was born in Brazil and has become one of the most widely read authors in the world today. Renowned for his best-loved work The Alchemist, he has sold over 30 million books worldwide and has been translated into 42 languages. The recipient of numerous prestigious awards, he is a storyteller with the power to inspire nations and change people's lives.

Customer Reviews

Best spiritual book I have read
I loved this book...simple as that. I finished it only yesterday and I already want to read it again. I just picked it off the bookshelf after reading Sara Book 2 by Abraham Hicks (its a children's book but adults benefit more than children from the read) without realising that the books are somewhat connected. The Alchemist approaches the Law of Attraction and finding your path in a different way. I find that some spiritual books are difficult reads as they are riddled in heavy duty terminology. This book is straight forward and gets to the point. I think by being so clear the lesson is easier learnt. I would whole-heartedly recommend this book.

Nothing wrong with simple...
A friend recommended The Alchemist to me a few years ago, and I've only now got around to reading it.

Looking at the reviews on this site, it seems a lot of people are critical of the simple style of writing, and the repetitive structure. Personally, I liked the simple, poetic style of writing. I'm not religious, and approach life from a scientific perspective, but I didn't mind the supernatural elements of the plot- they weren't the key message.

Coelho's message in this book is nothing new- to follow your dreams and to be awake to the possibilities within yourself, but he illustrates it poetically, and focuses on details of the plot that often are overlooked. Often he seems to interpret events in a postive way- something I found life-affirming and inspiring, because it's something that I personally struggle with. I wonder if that is part of the book's appeal to many people?

Excellent
This is an amazing book. It is a story of a young man who has a dream of hidden treasure. It is a book that alludes to that fact that all of us have a purpose and a dream. Yet many settle and give up their dream, and lose their passion for life. In this book it is stated again and again that each of us has our own Personal Legend, a quest; "When you pursue your personal legend the universe will conspire with you to make it happen." You will follow Santiago on his adventure and during the process be challenged to think about your goals and dreams and what you would have to do to pursue them.