The Alchemist Paperback – April 25, 1993

The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho is an inspirational story of Santiago, a youthful Spanish shepherd in the rolling hills of Andalusia. The boy has deep attachment with his flock but realizing that they are devoid of aesthetic sense and appreciation for nature which he beholds, loves and admires, the course of his life changes. His parents' life is associated with struggle in a country which people from far away fantasize and romanticize but for them it's not a place of dream and charm.Story starts with a dream followed by a series of adventures ultimately leads to resolution. His time is consumed in herding, reading and dreaming of travelling far-off places. He keeps getting same dream that there is treasure lying underneath the Egyptian pyramids. His encounter with a gypsy woman for consulting his dream gives story a new turn. He gets to know from her to follow omens. As the story moves the events get connected impeccably. Santiago's quest for treasure, soon his lucky encounter with old King who strengthens his beliefs about living his destiny, coming across mishaps and encounter with Fatima, a desert girl; all this leads him to personal legend that converges the idea of 'conspiring universe'. Personal legend is the key to living a successful and satisfying life as it is the destiny which one dreams of. He receives assistance from an alchemist who helps him understand his quest for accomplishing his dream. By time his belief grows and satisfaction nourishes as he is on right path. He comes to know "when you want something all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it".Story deals with an internal conflict between his love and personal dreams but this novel ends up showing love as a supporting tool for achieving his dream. This is a beautiful idea that true love can prove to be a great stimulus when time comes. According to Coelho dreams have a price but not living your dreams has even a bigger price. The idea of seeking dreams is marvelous. Pursuing your dream and commiting to it makes the whole universe conspiring to give you what you want.One of the dangerous hindrance described in the novel is fear. The fear of failure which stops us living our destiny. Overcoming this is a great victory as Coelho quoted "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 dreams because every second of the search is a second encounter with God and with eternity".When Santiago is in desert he comes to know that he can turn base metals into gold. (Although the idea is not true in reality). It is also a bit overrated when alchemist turns lead into gold. It is not necessary that you agree each and every thing which Coelho has put into the novel. Instead your reason and rationale may oppose many things. But one has to have the ability to read between the lines. In spite of being very unreal it is a beautiful fable which has delighted millions around the world because of its thought provoking ideas of spirituality and destiny. Santiago while travelling understands the relation between man and nature. His quest and how he overcomes the obstacles of violence, confusion and despair is an encouraging pleasure for reader. The setting of novel is real but events are magical.Some may find it a good piece to escape reality and some to understand reality. I highly recommend it to young readers as its conclusions directs it solves the purpose to make reader understand having faith in destiny which ultimately leads to achieving it.

We are told how people perish for a lack of vision/ goal/ dream/Personal Legend, where themagnitude of the dream is irrelevant. However, what's imperative is that a person possessesone. Why do I say this? Because dreams are the language of God. We're all placed herewith a purpose and Personal Legend (what we've always wanted to accomplish), with ouronly real obligation being to realize our destiny. However, as with all things, to whom muchis given, much is required. There is a process that one must endure before attaining theirdream. The important thing to do is to start, which always entails choices. We mustdecide, whether we're going to continue with what we've been accustomed to (stay in ourcomfort zone) or pursue what it is that we really want (expand our territory). The way onethinks always plays an integral part in the process as well. We can either view ourselves asa poor victim or an adventurer on a quest. There are other contingencies involved aswell. However, the thing I do know is that when a person really desires something, all theuniverse conspires to help that person realize his/her dream. God has prepared a path foreach to follow, and everyone on earth has a treasure that awaits them. In order to find thetreasure we must realize that the only thing holding us back is ourselves , as wells as readand follow the signs/omens left for us.If you're reading this review, I'm sure that you have a dream that's close to your heart or onethat has been deferred, or buried. Well, now is the time to exhume that dream, dust it off,and remove it from the shelf. One of the signs that the Creator often gives us beforeembarking on a great task is a messenger. Well, in this case the messenger is Paulo Coehlo,with his book entitled, The Alchemist, being the Magnus Opus. The book is simple, yetbrilliant as it tells the story of a young man in the quest of his dream. It explains theobstacles that inevitably obstruct one's path, and the requisite qualities to face and pursueour dreams, as well as the qualities developed when following our dream to the end. Fromtime immemorial some of the most sublime truths have been communicated to man viamyth/ allegories, with The Alchemist being no different. It is chock full of spiritual andpractical gems that can be applied to our everyday life. The journey in the book is muchlike an initiation, where one is constantly subjected to tests of patience and courage. It willremind you that in pursuing one's Personal Legend, it's not about the destination, butlessons accumulated throughout the journey, that we don't have yesterday or tomorrow,only today, how life is generous to those who pursue their Personal Legend, the importanceof simplicity, listening to your heart because that's where your treasure is,how the people who love you will never stand in the way of your dream, and that if theCreator brought you to it, He'll bring through it because everything under the sun has beenwritten by One hand. When one is traveling to the promised land, it's inevitable to take adetour through the desert. However, on this particular trip we have Paulo Coehloconducting us each step of the way. So if you're ready to start on or resume the journeytowards your dream/ Personal Legend, I highly recommend picking up a copy of TheAlchemist. This book contains something for everyone from high school on up. The onlything left is to observe the signs, rise, follow your conductor, and fear no danger!Maktub