Book Name: The Alchemist
Author: Paulo Coelho
Genre: Novel/Fantasy Fiction/Quest/Adventure Fiction
Published in: 1988 – written in Portuguese, translated in multiple languages, New York times’ bestseller till date!
Do you believe in omens? in dreams? Do you believe that sometimes people get divine messages from God before dawn of transformation? Ever fell for believing in magic and in treasure? Do you believe the treasure that people keep searching for in the external world is actually inside them? Do you believe in mysterious, the esoteric, the divine – I do!
And, maybe this is why The Alchemist from Paulo Coelho was one of the first books I had EVER connected with in my life. Before I was handed The Alchemist from the universe, I was still a pretty neat reader, books were my best friends since I was 10 years old but The Alchemist changed my perspective and shaped my personality. So, here’s my review of The Alchemist.
Synopsis
“You will find the treasure if you travel to the Egyptian pyramids”
Sleeping by the sycamore tree near an abandoned church, Santiago, a shepherd boy, frequently dreams about a little boy telling him to travel to Egyptian pyramids so he can find the treasure. Confused and chaotic, deep within, Santiago, approaches an old woman who tells him that his dream is prophetic and he should follow the instructions and travel to manifest his treasure. Curious and intrigued, Santiago begins his journey. He travels to places unknown, encounters misfortunes, meets new people – some great and some wanting to rob him off his possessions. he falls in love with an Arabian girl and finally returns to the place he started his journey from, only to find the treasure deep within.
My Review
The Alchemist for me is an ever-green, all-time favorite, one of a kind book! I HAVE EVEN CLAIMED THIS ONE TO BE MY BOOK OF THE DECADE BECAUSE IT’S THIS GOOD! I wouldn’t be wrong if I call it a “timeless splendor”
The plot and story-telling is beautiful and choice of words is magical, philosophical and full of wisdom. The interplay of divinity and esotericism is stimulating but for the acumen of those who believe and those who understand. The book connotes that the journey to one’s destiny is from deep within, however, reaching the destiny is not everything but the journey itself is everything and more because it grows you, shapes you and forms you. Sometimes, the journey will even hurt you, it will tear you apart, break you down, rob you of your happiness and greatest possessions but it will teach you courage and bravery, valor and kindness, empathy and compassion – all of this serving the purpose of journeying deep within.
Overall, it’s a very exciting novel and It definitely deserves a place in your life and your bookshelf.
Favorite quote from the book
“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting” – Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
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Cheers!
Loved the review!