Book Review – The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist is another one of my absolute favorite books on my shelf. Paulo Coelho’s book is a metaphor that takes you on a journey and you’ll be surprised at how many different gifts people get from reading this one.
Summary
The Alchemist is the journey of the hero of Santiago, a boy who has a dream and the courage to follow it. The story is full of symbolism and signs, brought together to inspire each reader to see themselves in Santiago and ask themselves what dream they should follow in their lives.
The Alchemist was first published in 1988. Since then, it has sold more than 65 million copies and been translated into more than 70 languages, earning the Guinness World Record for the most books translated by a living author.
More in details
The central philosophy of the book seems to be summed up in the statement of one of the main characters, an old king named Melchizedek: ‘When you want something, the whole universe conspires to help you get it.’
In the story we follow Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd, on his journey to discover what some would call the purpose of his life, the search for a dream and the fulfillment of his destiny. Along the way he meets various people who give him messages, places and situations where he learns along the way to find out what they mean in relation to finding him.
It’s a simple story layered with meaning, in part probably autobiographical remnants of Coelho’s journey to becoming a writer himself. To fully understand what this metaphor has in store for you personally, you may need to read it more than once and be willing to set logic and reality aside. As the alchemist that Santiago meets on his journey says: ‘Whoever does not understand his personal legends will not understand his teachings’.
About the Author
Paulo Coelho was born in 1947 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He wanted to become a writer since his teens, but he only pursued his dream much later in life.
He currently divides his time living in Europe and Rio de Janeiro with his wife Christina.
Recommendation
This book is for you if you like to be inspired to follow your destiny. Coelho has a way that allows the reader to identify with the hero, to take his own little messages from the story, which may be different from the ones his friend will have.
Let yourself be inspired by this metaphor.