The Alchemist: Unlocking the Life-Changing Self-Discovery!
Author: Paulo Coelho
Novel: The Alchemist
Genre: Quest, Adventure, Fantasy
Background
- Mr. Coelho wrote this book in just 2 weeks. He said, “he was able to write at such a pace because the book was already written in his soul”.
- According to New York Times “The Alchemist” is “more self-help than literature”.
- This is a book based on one’s destiny and fate.
- The Alchemist was first published by Rocco, the Brazilian publishing house.
- The plot of this novel is based on an international 13th-century folktales.
Discovering The Secret Of Personal Legend
- The Alchemist captivates the reader with a fantastic and adventurous journey that revolves around the idea of “a person’s actual life purpose”.
- A young shepherd embarks on his journey to Egypt after a recurring dream of finding a treasure there or maybe his personal legend.
- Coelho masterfully conveys the idea of everyone having a certain path in life and to fulfill their destiny.
- The author talks about how finding true happiness and fulfillment of one’s destiny is what matters on this road of life.
- The book gives us the motivation to find our goals and aspirations and the bravery to follow our dreams and passions.
- The theme of self-discovery and the purpose of life helps readers from any background to relate to it strongly.
Characters: The Alchemist
The Alchemist has many interesting characters, who all lay their part deeply in the story but the main characters around whom the story mostly revolves, their little glimpse is given to make it easy for the reader to see and decide whom to relate to the most.
- Santiago: young adventurous shepherd with a dream to find treasure. He is the book’s protagonist.
- The Alchemist: a strong 200-year-old alchemist who rides a white horse and dresses in black. He understands the soul of the world.
- Crystal Merchant: a good-hearted but struggling merchant who owns a shop on top of a desolate hill.
- Melchizedek: the king of Salem.
- Fatima: a beautiful young desert woman whom Santiago loves.
The Relatable Hero: Santiago
- A young Andalusian shepherd boy who dreams of a treasure in a ruined church and decides to go after it.
- Santiago is a charming and sensitive figure who embodies the spirit of an ordinary everyday man.
- He is someone who desires something big and will risk everything to achieve it.
- His growth as a person on a spiritual as well as physical journey is admirable.
- Through the course of the story, we see Santiago’s growth from a simple shepherd to a well-informed and educated person.
- Readers can relate to him more because of his determination, passion, and ability to hear the language of the cosmos/universe.
- Coelho has created him with such sensitivity and flexibility that readers can’t help but relate to it.
The Universal Vernacular
We are all aware of the talks of the universe. The universe has its own ways of talking to us, through rain, wind, nature, and many more. One of its ways is to dream. The universe gives signals to a person about their life paths through the dreams we see and also helps us to follow them.
- The Alchemist conveys the story that individuals who are willing to listen to the signs of the universe can also communicate with them.
- A touch of spirituality and mysticism is added to the plot which plays an essential part in conveying the language of the universe.
- Santiago learns to decode the signs and read omens, which helps him in reaching the treasure.
- Coelho’s exploration that each and everything that exists is a part of something bigger is both thought-provoking and soothing to the reader.
- It encourages the reader that there is always a bigger picture to everything and one should pay attention to small details and signs that they get from the universe.
Alchemist’s Wisdom
A 200-year-old who always wears black and rides a white horse. He understands the language of the universe or we can say the personal legend theory. Deep wisdom can be gained from the alchemist.
- Santiago met him on his track of the desert and decided to continue his journey with him and gain spiritual universal wisdom from him.
- His teachings were about life and pursuing one’s goals.
- His opinion on the phrase that says “where your heart is, there you will find your treasure” was fascinating and thought-provoking.
- The Alchemist helps the reader to feel more empowered and drawn towards their goals and aspirations in life.
- The Alchemist encourages adaptability, self-confidence, and constant dedication towards one’s goals and ambitions.
Where to Buy?
The Alchemist- Free PDF (Download Here)
The Verdict!
When you really want something to happen, the whole universe will conspire so that your wish comes true”, the core of this novel which is related strongly by any background reader.
To conclude this book:
- Alchemist is not just a book but a spiritual guide to one’s goal and purpose in life.
- It’s a philosophical manual that guides a person to go after where their heart is, and what they seem to desire in life.
- Alchemist inspires a person to follow their passion and discover their actual purpose and what is there role in life is.
- It’s a must-read for those who are seeking some motivation and inspiration for self-discovery in life regardless of what age they are.
- It’s a perfect example of literature’s everlasting ability to inspire a person’s spirit.
- This book serves as a reminder to a person that if you really want to achieve something then put your heart and soul into it and the universe will definitely help you reach your life’s purpose.
- It reminds us that the journey is as important as the destination.
“The Alchemist” is a novel that never gets old and keeps on inspiring the person who wholeheartedly reads it.
References
Book Review : The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Pingback: The Immortals of Meluha: A Mythological Marvel!