The Alchemist
The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream
Author: Paulo Coelho
My Rating: 9/10
Length: 208 Pages
Description
Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom, and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling over 85 million copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations.
Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago's journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, most importantly, to follow our dreams.
The Book In 3 Sentences
The Alchemist tells a story of a young shepherd boy who goes on a journey and quest for treasure to realize his ‘personal legend’. Along the way, he runs into many obstacles and the journey quickly turns into an adventure. The constant theme in The Alchemist is to pursue your dreams by following what your heart desires.
There’s no point dwelling in the past and letting it define you, nor getting lost and anxious about the future. But in the present moment, you’re in the field of possibility — how you engage with the present moment will direct your life.
To be different is the greatest and simplest thing that we can do. For being different is being yourself, it is the realization that you are your own unique you. To be different is to realize that your personal legend is yours and yours only. You are you. This makes you unique, as nobody else has your experiences. Nobody else is you and that is your power.
Who Should Read It?
The Alchemist is a thought-provoking book that is perfect for:
Solo travelers
If you’re someone who is seeking inspiration
Not a huge reader and want a fun story with a powerful meaning
It’s been 25 years since its debut, and the novel has now been translated into 56 different languages (that’s a Guinness World Record, by the way). It’s safe to say it has a stellar reputation not only among the general population but also a favorite book among the world leaders and superstars such as Oprah Winfrey, Bill Clinton, Will Smith, etc.
This book, within a short 200 or so pages, implores a very simple, parabolic style to tell Santiago’s story, which is essentially the story of humankind.
It’s about decision-making.
It’s about following your dreams.
It’s choosing to live a life that gives your heart and soul meaning and purpose.
It’s about finding your true self or as Coelho calls it “Personal Legend”.
Just buy the book, don’t think twice about this one, I promise it will be worth the read. I even got my whole family to read The Alchemist and it is now one of their favorite books of all time!
How The Book Changed Me
Even years after reading this book, I find parallels every day of the lessons it taught me in my day-to-day life.
The Alchemist is one of my favorite books of all time. Whenever negative feelings capture my mind, I turn to this book.
I remember falling in love with it the first time I read it. Since then I've read this book many times and each time I'm enlightened with a new positive thought. I admire the simplicity of Paulo Coelho's writing and the story of The Alchemist.
I don't want to give away the story because I want you to read it yourself and experience the whole story from your point of view. But just in case you are wondering, the story is about a young shepherd, who goes out exploring the world in search of treasure and finally finds out that the treasure was right at his door.
And isn't that relatable to your real-life?!
However, this book covers a lot more than just that. After reading this book I realized how ignorant I have been in my life.
This book inspired me to observe and learn.
It helped me realize how important it is to be patient because success and failure both could be right around the corner.
It assured me that you will get all the help you need in some or another way, and
Hard work always pays off.
My Top 3 Quotes
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” — Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
“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.” — Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist“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” — Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Best Big Ideas
Please Note: The following is a collection of highlights taken straight from the book and online resources. Most of them are direct quotes. Some are paraphrases. Very few are my own words.
No matter what you do, make sure that you do it because it is what your heart and soul desire.
Our soul is the guiding force of our lives and it is only you who has the awareness of your soul’s desire. An awareness that at many times you may not be mindful of, which often occurs when the soul disconnects from self.
You will fail. Don’t give up in the process.
The destination of where we want to go is often defined as a dream. You should live each day so that it gets you one step closer to that dream and destination.
Maktub: It is written.
There is another theme in The Alchemist, or saying, which is Maktub. In a very simple manner, Maktub can also be translated to “everything that happens, happens for a reason”. That our paths are already outlined for us to follow. That our fate is written within the universe. To me, Maktub means that we must not let fear and most importantly, the fear of failure, to get in the way of our own pursuit of our personal legend. For it is written, and what is meant to be, will be.
It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary
You are you. This makes you unique, as nobody else has your experiences. Nobody else is you and that is your power. Life comes with its twist and turns. It is never a straight line. If it is, you aren’t living or fulfilling your personal legend. As to pursue your personal legend you will have obstacles. Each obstacle is an opportunity to learn from and about yourself.
Break the monotony
Gratitude is the practice of finding the good in each day. Life can easily become stagnant, mundane, and monotonous, but that changes depending on what we choose to see. There’s always a silver lining - if you look for it.
Be unrealistic
Some of the greatest inventions would not have happened if people chose to accept the world as it is. Great achievements and innovations begin with a mindset that ignores the impossible.
Always take action
You can study, read, and listen until you turn blue in the face, but the full experience is when you take action, and let the rubber meet the road. Once you’re done aiming, pull the trigger.
