english book review of alchemist

Book Review: The Alchemist By Paulo Coelho

Last Updated on September 24, 2023 by Louisa

In a world filled with countless adventure stories and tales of heroism, romance, and adventure, Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist” shines as a beacon of light, shining brightly above the rest, in this timeless adventure novel filled with profound and timeless wisdom.

The Alchemist isn’t just a novel, it’s a spiritual awakening. Paulo Coelho is well known for writing not only incredible stories but also for expressing philosophical wondering and deeply thought-provoking messages.

He is one of the most famous, and greatest, Brazilian authors, and it was The Alchemist that put earned him the acclaimed recognition he receives today.

Selling 300 million copies worldwide since its release in 1993, The Alchemist should be the first book anyone read if you’re not familiar with Paulo Coelho.

And in this honest book review of The Alchemist, you’re about to find out why…

Affiliate Disclosure : This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through any of these links.

Book Review of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

The alchemist book review.

The Alchemist is an enchanting novel that takes you on a transformative journey that will have you questioning life, our purpose, and our place in the world. Not only that, but the philosophical messages remind us of the power of dreams, the importance of self-discovery, and the remarkable possibilities that lie beyond our comfort zones. In The Alchemist, the reader follows a young boy (who remains nameless throughout) as he chases his dream of finding the lost treasure, after being told where to look by a King he meets in the market. Along the way, the boy learns about free will, the power of Maktub, a term used to describe “what is meant to be”, as well as finds love, resilience, and passion. Accompanied by an Alchemist, the boy learns to bend the powers of the Earth to his will, enabling him to fulfill his purpose and reach his goals. The Alchemist has one important message: never give up, no matter what obstacles you face.

By Louisa Smith

A novel that has you contemplating life, the world, and our purpose within it. Deeply profound, enlightening, and poetic. Truly, The Alchemist is one of the best adventure novels of all time.

What I Liked

Of course, the best thing about The Alchemist is Coelho’s writing style, which effortlessly weaves together simplicity and elegance, creating a mesmerizing narrative that transports you to the mystical realms of your imagination.

The lyrical prose flows like a gentle breeze, enchanting us with its beauty and evoking a sense of wonder with every word.

Of course, The Alchemist is most famous for its philosophy. Despite being less than 200 pages, it’s a book you want to read slowly, taking in each profound thought and idea slowly and taking time to contemplate.

As you navigate your way through the story, you’ll be questioning the meaning of life and the transformative power of love, determination, and passion.

I loved how the boy renamed nameless throughout, allowing you to put yourself in his shoes.

Even though the story is simple, its messages and Coelho’s deep philosophical depth are what make this book a masterpiece.

Coelho skillfully explores the concepts that invite you to question your own beliefs and preconceived notions about the world.

The character development was also excellent, as you follow the young boy in first person, gaining insight from his own perspective. As each philosophical quip is dropped, the reader learns along with the boy, who is receiving a spiritual awakening.

What Could Have Been Better

The Alchemist isn’t a novel that’s enjoyed for the storyline. It delivers a powerful message, but when it comes to the plot, this is somewhat predictable.

Coelho follows a well-trodden path, utilizing common storytelling tropes and archetypes, and there’s no real element of surprise about what comes next in terms of the narrative.

While I liked the character development of the boy, the supporting characters lack depth. Perhaps this is done to keep the attention on the boy and his journey, but there could have been more development from the secondary characters.

Each person the boy meets has an impact on him in some way, but as he moves on through the narrative, they get forgotten about.

The focus of The Alchemist is on the overarching themes and symbolism, which means that the plot and individual growth of the supporting characters get put to the side.

Despite these minor shortcomings, I still feel that The Alchemist remains an extraordinary literary masterpiece and I’m not surprised it has captured the hearts and minds of millions of people around the globe.

Coelho’s ability to infuse spirituality and philosophy into a captivating story is a testament to his brilliance as a writer.

Related Reading: Quotes from The Alchemist

Similar Works

Of course, Paulo Coelho’s other works are equally as profound and enlightening, especially The Pilgrimage, which is all about his own personal pilgrimage journey.

Another profound book by Paulo Coelho that I thought was similar was Manuscript Found in Accra, which is about a preacher who shares the answers to life’s questions and the rules for sacred human values.

If you’re looking for something that leaves you contemplating life, then I highly recommend you pick up these other two novels by Paulo Coelho.

Related Post: Books Similar to The Alchemist

The Alchemist Trigger Warnings

The Alchemist doesn’t really contain trigger warnings, but there are some scenes that contain the following…

Gender Bias
Aggression and physical assault

The Alchemist has the following themes:

Travel and Self-Discovery
Free Will vs Fate
Pursuit of a dream
Maktub (What is Meant to Be)
Value of the small things
Coming of age

Where to Find It?

You can find The Alchemist at most retail bookstores, or you can find it from one of these links…

View it on:

The Verdict: Would I Recommend The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho?

The Alchemist has a permanent place on my bookshelf and is a book I will reread for years to come. While the plot isn’t anything special, it’s philosophy, symbolism, and profound messaging have changed my way of thinking about the world.

It’s a book that will enlighten you, awaken you, and maybe even light a fire in you, encouraging you to dream big and chase the stars.

I would recommend this novel to anyone looking for something insightful and thought-provoking.

Have Your Say…

Now you know what I think, let us know what you think! Share your thoughts about The Alchemist in the comments.

The Details

Pub Date: April 25th, 1993
ISBN: 978-0061122415
Page Count: 197
Publisher: HarperOne

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About Louisa Smith

Editor/Founder - Epic Book Society

Louisa is the Founder, Editor, and Head Honcho of Epic Book Society. She was born and raised in the United Kingdom and graduated from the University for the Creative Arts with a degree in Journalism. Louisa began her writing career at the age of 7 when her poetry was published in an anthology of poems to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. Upon graduating university, she spent several years working as a journalist writing about books before transitioning to become a Primary School Teacher. Louisa loves all genres of books, but her favorites are Sci-Fi, Romance, Fantasy, and Young Adult Fiction. Read more Louisa's story here .

The Alchemist, Book Review: Paulo Coelho’s beguiling novel

Paulo Coelho’s novel The Alchemist has beguiling depth and universal themes that will entrance readers of all ages and faiths. This book is a modern classic. Read our full review.

Disclosure: If you click a link in this post and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission.

The Alchemist Book Review

The Alchemist ( O Alquimista ) is a novel by Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho which was first published in 1988. Originally written in Portuguese, it has become an international bestseller (30 million + copies sold) and translated into some 70 languages.

“The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.”

This novel is a perfect example of the saying ‘good things come in small packages’. The simple little tale conveys a very powerful and inspirational message, and so it is unsurprising it is considered a modern classic.

Alchemy , derived from the Arabic word al-kimia, is both a philosophy and an ancient practice focused on the attempt to change base metals into gold, investigating the preparation of the “elixir of longevity”, and achieving ultimate wisdom, involving the improvement of the alchemist as well as the making of several substances described as possessing unusual properties. ( Wikipedia )

Characters and story outline

The protagonist in this magical fable is a young shepherd of simple means named Santiago. He crosses paths with a King who teaches the young boy the value of reading the signs the world presents us, even in our dreams.

The boy’s subsequent search for hidden treasure takes him across country borders and brings him into contact with both the deceitful and most noble of humanity. He learns the value of persistence and hard work, the value of humility and the value of honour and bravery. Particularly touching is Santiago’s interaction with a crystal merchant who was hesitant to follow his dreams for fear of succeeding. The young boy’s courage in seizing opportunities and overcoming adversity inspired all those he came into contact with.

The Alchemist Book Review, Quote - "It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting."

Literary themes

Santiago’s search for hidden treasure in The Alchemist is a metaphor for life .

Coelho introduces the concept of one’s Personal Legend, or destiny. Appealingly though, this destiny is not presented as something that will simply fall into one’s lap, but something one needs to strive for.

Too often in this inspirational genre readers are given the impression that if we simply wish for something long enough with the purest of intentions, then that wish will come into being. This novel reminds us that

Anything worth having must be worked for and that one does not gain in life without first risking loss, and
Treasures can come in the form of experiences, rather than material objects.

Through this allegorical fable, Coelho asserts that life is a journey with an infinite series of decision points . And that the world, if one observes it carefully enough, provides all the information needed to choose the right paths in order to fulfil our dreams.

Although a simple and almost childlike story on one level, The Alchemist has a disarming and beguiling depth to it that will entrance readers of all ages. Its themes are universal and can and should be embraced by people of all races, creeds and religions.

At its core, this is a story about doing what is right and noble, and being rewarded for it. The Alchemist is a must-read.

BOOK RATING: The Story 5 / 5 ; The Writing 5 / 5

Get your copy of The Alchemist from:

Bookshop US Amazon Booktopia AU OR listen to the audiobook FREE with Audible’s Trial (check eligibility)

Genre: Literature, Classic, Mystery, Fantasy, Translation

Related Reading: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery / A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle / Lamberto, Lamberto, Lamberto by Gianni Rodari / The Amber Amulet by Craig Silvey / Tales by Trees Series – The Carpenter

The Alchemist Plot Summary

Source: CourseHero .

About the Author, Paulo Coelho

Paulo Coelho de Souza (1947 – ) is a Brazilian lyricist and novelist and the recipient of numerous international awards. He is best known for his widely translated novel The Alchemist . He has been a prolific author with more than 24 books published . Check out Paul Coelho ‘s website and connect with him on Twitter and Facebook .

In this interview, Paulo Coelho discusses his thoughts on Luck, Coincidence, and Faith:

Source: HarperOne

More Memorable Quotes from The Alchemist

“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”

On persistence and commitment:

“The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.”

On the value of every of every life:

“No matter what he does, every person on earth plays a central role in the history of the world. And normally he doesn’t know it.”

On appreciating the simple things:

“When each day is the same as the next, it’s because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises.”

THE ALCHEMIST

by Paulo Coelho & translated by Margaret Jull Costa ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 1, 1993

Coelho's placebo has racked up impressive sales in Brazil and Europe. Americans should flock to it like gulls.

Coelho is a Brazilian writer with four books to his credit. Following Diary of a Magus (1992—not reviewed) came this book, published in Brazil in 1988: it's an interdenominational, transcendental, inspirational fable—in other words, a bag of wind.

The story is about a youth empowered to follow his dream. Santiago is an Andalusian shepherd boy who learns through a dream of a treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. An old man, the king of Salem, the first of various spiritual guides, tells the boy that he has discovered his destiny: "to realize one's destiny is a person's only real obligation." So Santiago sells his sheep, sails to Tangier, is tricked out of his money, regains it through hard work, crosses the desert with a caravan, stops at an oasis long enough to fall in love, escapes from warring tribesmen by performing a miracle, reaches the pyramids, and eventually gets both the gold and the girl. Along the way he meets an Englishman who describes the Soul of the World; the desert woman Fatima, who teaches him the Language of the World; and an alchemist who says, "Listen to your heart" A message clings like ivy to every encounter; everyone, but everyone, has to put in their two cents' worth, from the crystal merchant to the camel driver ("concentrate always on the present, you'll be a happy man"). The absence of characterization and overall blandness suggest authorship by a committee of self-improvement pundits—a far cry from Saint- Exupery's The Little Prince : that flagship of the genre was a genuine charmer because it clearly derived from a quirky, individual sensibility.

Pub Date: July 1, 1993

ISBN: 0-06-250217-4

Page Count: 192

Publisher: N/A

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1993

GENERAL FICTION

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BOOK REVIEW

by Paulo Coelho ; illustrated by Christoph Niemann ; translated by Margaret Jull Costa

by Paulo Coelho ; translated by Eric M.B. Becker

by Paulo Coelho ; translated by Zoë Perry

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TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

by Harper Lee ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 11, 1960

A first novel, this is also a first person account of Scout's (Jean Louise) recall of the years that led to the ending of a mystery, the breaking of her brother Jem's elbow, the death of her father's enemy — and the close of childhood years. A widower, Atticus raises his children with legal dispassion and paternal intelligence, and is ably abetted by Calpurnia, the colored cook, while the Alabama town of Maycomb, in the 1930's, remains aloof to their divergence from its tribal patterns. Scout and Jem, with their summer-time companion, Dill, find their paths free from interference — but not from dangers; their curiosity about the imprisoned Boo, whose miserable past is incorporated in their play, results in a tentative friendliness; their fears of Atticus' lack of distinction is dissipated when he shoots a mad dog; his defense of a Negro accused of raping a white girl, Mayella Ewell, is followed with avid interest and turns the rabble whites against him. Scout is the means of averting an attack on Atticus but when he loses the case it is Boo who saves Jem and Scout by killing Mayella's father when he attempts to murder them. The shadows of a beginning for black-white understanding, the persistent fight that Scout carries on against school, Jem's emergence into adulthood, Calpurnia's quiet power, and all the incidents touching on the children's "growing outward" have an attractive starchiness that keeps this southern picture pert and provocative. There is much advance interest in this book; it has been selected by the Literary Guild and Reader's Digest; it should win many friends.

Pub Date: July 11, 1960

ISBN: 0060935464

Page Count: 323

Publisher: Lippincott

Review Posted Online: Oct. 7, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1960

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THE CATCHER IN THE RYE

by J.D. Salinger ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 15, 1951

A strict report, worthy of sympathy.

A violent surfacing of adolescence (which has little in common with Tarkington's earlier, broadly comic, Seventeen ) has a compulsive impact.

"Nobody big except me" is the dream world of Holden Caulfield and his first person story is down to the basic, drab English of the pre-collegiate. For Holden is now being bounced from fancy prep, and, after a vicious evening with hall- and roommates, heads for New York to try to keep his latest failure from his parents. He tries to have a wild evening (all he does is pay the check), is terrorized by the hotel elevator man and his on-call whore, has a date with a girl he likes—and hates, sees his 10 year old sister, Phoebe. He also visits a sympathetic English teacher after trying on a drunken session, and when he keeps his date with Phoebe, who turns up with her suitcase to join him on his flight, he heads home to a hospital siege. This is tender and true, and impossible, in its picture of the old hells of young boys, the lonesomeness and tentative attempts to be mature and secure, the awful block between youth and being grown-up, the fright and sickness that humans and their behavior cause the challenging, the dramatization of the big bang. It is a sorry little worm's view of the off-beat of adult pressure, of contemporary strictures and conformity, of sentiment….

Pub Date: June 15, 1951

ISBN: 0316769177

Page Count: -

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: Nov. 2, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1951

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The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (Book Review)

The Alchemist by the Brazilian author Paulo Coelho is one of the best-selling books in history. It was first published in 1988 in Portuguese and is now translated internationally into many languages. The novel is an allegory that follows a young Andalusian shepherd in his journey to the pyramids of Egypt, after having a recurring dream of finding a treasure there. Coelho wrote The Alchemist in only two weeks in 1987. He explained that he was able to write at this pace because the story was "already written in [his] soul."

The story starts with a description of a shepherd named Santiago arriving with his flock at an abandoned Church. Santiago keeps dreaming about a treasure that he discovers near the pyramids in Egypt. A fortune teller interprets the dream as a prophecy. Before he starts the journey, Santiago meets an old king named Melchizedek, or the king of Salem, who tells him to sell his sheep, so as to travel to Egypt, and introduces the idea of a Personal Legend. Your Personal Legend "is what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is." Subsequently, the book's plot largely focuses on Santiago following his dream and trying to live out his Personal Legend. He embarks on a journey to Tangiers and then to Egypt where he had to face so many obstacles before he discovers his treasure.

The book's main theme is about finding one's destiny, although according to The New York Times, The Alchemist is "more self-help than literature." The advice that was given to Santiago ("when you really want something to happen, the whole universe will conspire so that your wish comes true") is the core of the novel's philosophy and a motif that plays throughout it. Another interesting theme in the novel and that one can relate to is those related to the detrimental consequences of fear. If people let fear control their lives, they will live miserably. Had Santiago let the fear from following his dream dominate his life, he wouldn't have discovered the treasure and most importantly the meaning of his life, his Personal Legend.

Source: Wikipedia

Comprehension:

The Alchemist was written in 1987. a. True b. False
The novel is an autobiography. a. True b. False
Santiago defeated his fears and found the treasure. a. True b. False
Some believe that the novel is more of a self-help book than a literary work. a. True b. False

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Book Review: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

published by Bren

Last updated: May 9, 2020

“My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer,” the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up at the moonless sky.

“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 its dreams.”

Opening thoughts

I don’t read a lot of novels. In fact, I NEVER read novels. I think the last novel I read was “Z for Zachariah” when I was 13 years old. It was pretty good too, from what I remember.

So why did I read The Alchemist? To be honest, I was just looking for something different. I’ve been making an effort to read more this year, and I just didn’t have the energy to read another business or lifestyle design book. I’ve always been a huge fan of Will Smith, and when I found out that The Alchemist was his favourite book, I just knew I had to read it.

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It was incredible. The storytelling was beautiful, but more importantly, there were so many lessons that the author shared that would be relevant to anyone’s life. I’m now actively hunting for more books like this – if you know of any, please tell me!

As for this particular book review of The Alchemist, I’m not going to delve deeply into all the lessons he portrays for us. Rather I will tell you what I liked about the book, what I didn’t, and whether it’s a worthy piece to pick up and read yourself.

Paulo Coelho is a Brazilian author, and after reading up on him, it seems his life shares some parallels with the story in his book. He had always wanted to be a writer, but his parents didn’t allow it. He was put in a mental institution, escaped, became a hippie and travelled the world, and eventually returned and fulfilled his dream of being being an author. He is an advocate of not giving up on your dream, and this message seems to come through in this novel in particular. The Alchemist has now sold over 65 million copies – one of the best selling books in history. How have I not heard of it before?!

The Alchemist Review: What’s it about?

The story is about a young shepherd from the south of Spain who has a recurring dream about a finding a treasure. Believing that finding this treasure is his ‘destiny’ he leaves the comfort of home and travels into the African desert to find it.

There’s not too much I can tell you without spoiling the story, so let me leave you with a few extracts that will hopefully show you the kind of message the author hopes to share:

“I’m the King of Salem,” the old man said.

“Why would a king be talking with a shepherd?” the boy asked, awed and embarrassed.

“For several reasons. But let’s say that the most important is that you have succeeded in discovering your Personal Legend.”

The boy didn’t know what a person’s “Personal Legend” was.

“It’s what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is. At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives. But, as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their Personal Legend.”

The old man related that, the week before, he had been forced to appear before a miner, and had taken the form of a stone. The miner had abandoned everything to go mining for emeralds. For five years he had been working a certain river, and had examined hundreds of thousands of stones looking for an emerald. The miner was about to give it all up, right at the point when, if he were to examine just one more stone – just one more – he would find his emerald. Since the miner had sacrificed everything to his Personal Legend, the old man decided to become involved. He transformed himself into a stone that rolled up to the miner’s foot. The miner, with all the anger and frustration of his five fruitless years, picked up the stone and threw it aside. But he had thrown it with such force that it broke the stone it fell upon, and there, embedded in the broken stone, was the most beautiful emerald in the world.

“People learn, early in their lives, what is their reason for being,” said the old man, with a certain bitterness. “Maybe that’s why they give up on it so early, too. But that’s the way it is.”

The boy reminded the old man that he had said something about hidden treasure.

“Treasure is uncovered by the force of flowing water, and it is buried by the same currents,” said the old man. “If you want to learn about your own treasure, you will have to give me one-tenth of your flock.”

“What about one-tenth of my treasure?”

The old man looked disappointed. “If you start out by promising what you don’t even have yet, you’ll lose your desire to work toward getting it.”

The boy told him that he had already promised to give one-tenth of his treasure to the Gypsy.

“Gypsies are experts at getting people to do that,” sighed the old man. “In any case, it’s good that you’ve learned that everything in life has its price.”

The old man returned the book to the boy.

“Tomorrow, at this same time, bring me a tenth of your flock. And I will tell you how to find the hidden treasure. Good afternoon.”

And he vanished around the corner of the plaza.

What I liked

This book left a big impression on me. While reading through the book you can tell that the author is wise, that he has lived a long time, because of the messages he shares through the characters in his story. It’s almost as if, while you’re reading it, you can imagine your grandfather telling it to you as if it’s a tale from his childhood. I always thought that novels were a waste of time because you never learn any “real life” lessons from them, but this book finally proved me wrong.

The story itself is special. Even when I was 8 I never had an imagination quite like the author’s. There were a few times where I seriously couldn’t sleep, reading impatiently in the middle of the night to find out what happened next.

Now you might ask, what is an alchemist? From what I understood, an alchemist is like a magician chemist who can turn any metal into gold. But throughout the story and the search for the alchemist, I felt like this was more a metaphor for life in general. If we follow our own “Personal Legends” we can perform the same magic – turn our ordinary lives into gold, as long as we believe in the journey and don’t give up on what we believe is our destiny. If you’re looking for inspiration, this story brings it in droves.

What I didn’t like

To be honest, I wouldn’t change a thing about the book. It can move into religious territory at times, talking quite in depth about God and heaven etc, so depending on your own beliefs this could be a downside. However I think all people will be able to relate to the message of the story regardless of their religion.

Also, it’s worth noting that the book is originally written in Portugese, meaning that what we’re reading is an English translation. I have no doubt this takes away from the book in some regard, as the author’s exact message could be hard to mimic in translation. In fact, there were times when I would think, “I’m sure this part sounds way cooler in Portugese.” But, I probably have no idea what I’m talking about.

You should read this if…

You’re looking for travel inspiration (or inspiration for life in general)
You like feel-good stories
You don’t mind novels that involve mystical, magical things that could never happen in real life. e.g. a shepherd having a conversation with the soul of the universe
You respond well to stories that teach you what you already know in a different way
You enjoy a short read (167 pages)

Bren rates it: 8.5/10

Really hope you guys enjoyed this review of The Alchemist! You can find more reviews and read more about the book here.

Happy reading!

P.S. Did you know you can read unlimited books with a subscription to Kindle Unlimited ? You can also try it completely free for a whole month! Check it out here .

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Glad to hear you found that book very interesting. Same with me, I immediately loved the books entirety many years back and collected some others author by Paulo as well. Presently, I enjoyed listening again and again before going to sleep the audio version read by Jeremy Irons. His way of narration adds up spice to the already sizzling story. you can download it at youtube. Maybe once your at YT, you can get to browse some related topics as well. Enjoy them as you like.

Here’s to us who keep fanning the internal flames that burn within. All our greatest dreams… may it be fulfilled!

I’ll definitely have to read more of his. Yes, how easy it is for us to give up on our dream – books like this inspire us to keep moving 🙂

Same here Bren, I’m not a big fan of Novels, rather prefer self help or inspirational books, indeed The Alchemist is the first Novel that I have red in my entire life, Yeah I was fascinated by its lesson, follow your dreams for it will determine the course of your life.Check Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl almost same concept but in different setting, try check The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari too by Robin Sharma worth reading. Book is one of the bests travel buddy. All the best, Chad

Hi Chad, thanks for the suggestions, I’ll check em out!

This is my FAVORITE book of all time. You said you’re looking for more books like this and really are his books are similar in a way. They are “fables” and I’ve read about 20 of them! I love 11 Minutes so much, but the Pilgrimage isn’t as good in my opinion. The Warrior of light is a bunch of small quotes and I really like them!

Thank you, I will check them out 🙂

Hey Bren, I havent read the alchemist yet (shame on me bad Brazilian girl) but its definitely on my list. If you are looking for a good novel Shantaram is a must! Australian author, a mix of an autobiography and fiction. Its a bit big, but worth every page, the most touching book I have ever read. All the best, Fernanda

Hi Fernanda, you’re not the first person who’s mentioned that book to me. I suppose I better check it out 🙂

Hi Bren! Glad you enjoyed the book! It’s one of my favorites! I make it s point to read it once a year. My first time reading it, I was on a plane to Lima, Peru. I finished it from cover to cover on the flight! You’re right that it is an English translation, but Coelho speaks excellent English! I have no doubt that he tried to get the message across as accurately as possible.

A similar themed book I’d recommend is “Way of the Peaceful Warrior” by Dan Millman. It lacks the theme of travel, but Millman writes about taking all the advantages life is offering you. There’s no mention of religion and he avoids writing in a way that comes across as “preachy”. His style of writing is not for everyone, but I enjoyed it. Maybe you will too!

Sounds like a great book. I have been doing a lot of reading of late so I will check it out!

That was a kids story, not a novel !

If you please try reading Tuesdays with Morrie. If you did enjoy reading The Alchemist I know that you’ll love this one 🙂

Since you like The Alchemist, I think you will also like The Little Prince. It’s a short book so it’s not a pain to read. You will also learn a lot from that book. Enjoy!

Thanks, I’ll check it out for sure 🙂

Lol , I 100% agree with you Ann , The Alchemist it’s a kids story !! Can believe I read it , so boring!

Following your destiny is quiet difficult but it is the basic purpose of your life. The book was really awesome as the protagonist achieves his destiny, though he loses hope many times and also his luck is not on his side. The old king said to him, ‘When you want to achieve something, whole of the universe conspires with you’, but all he said was not that simple. You have to find out your own meaning from the sentence and follow your destiny, which nature has already set for you. You should not complain for anything because our Allah has created us and knows much better than we do. This is also evident in the story, as every difficulty coming in Santiago’s life, leads him to the right way. You asked for a recommendation I will recommend you ‘A Tale Of Two Cities’ by Charles Dickens.

Yep! Totally agree on “A tale of two cities” . It’s really amazing!!!!!!!But also emotional , really a lot of it… Anyways , a must read for EVERYONE!!!

The Alchemist ! if i try explaining the content, i will surely distort the message the writter wants to convey……must read book.

Hi , I can can see that a lot of people here haven’t read a novel before . Because The Alchemist in my opinion it’s not a good book , it gets so boring after a while, I thought many times to quit it . The author repeats the same thing over and over , there isn’t much plot , it feels like it’s written by a 10 year old for a 10 year old . Very boring, kids story , don’t wast money and time !!!

Plot of this book is taken from Masnawi of Maulana Jalal Ud Deen Rumi.

Yes dear I like the BOOK. The Al CHEMIST tells us about never stop dreaming and Personal Legend. Its loving and having good things to read. After studying, I hope everyone will start liking this beautiful NOVEL.

Hi Bren if you want to read the books then I can give you some recommendations you can read the books of Paulo Coelho I am just13 years old but have read more than5 books of Paulo Coelho because his book is very fascinating and inspiring by those books only I am able to change my life

hi I wanna know what you think about the universal language…… no one mentioned it as I was checking out

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The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - review

The story begins with a young Andulasian shepherd boy Santiago sleeping under a sycamore on barren lands.

He sets out to locate treasure, which he dreamed was hidden in the dusty lands of Egyptian Pyramids. A Gypsy who interpreted his dream told him "I am not going to charge you anything now; But I want one-tenth of the treasure, if you find it". She added hat he must go to the Pyramids of Egypt to unearth the treasure. And thus he set out in quest for the treasure.

On his way he meets Melchizedek – King of Salem - who tells him that he will help him locate the treasure provided he parts with one-tenth of his sheep. On his way, he works with a crystal merchant in the Tangier market to earn money to buy some sheep.

He works there for almost a month and then sets off on his journey again. On his way through the African desert he meets a girl called Fatima, who tells him: "Maktub, if I am really part of your dream, you will come back one day"

In an oasis he meets the Alchemist, who teachs him the language of the world, telling him: "Don't think about what you have left behind; everything is written in the soul of the world and there it will stay forever."

On their way the alchemist and the shepherd are taken captive by tribesmen dressed in blue who take them to a nearby military camp thinking they are spies. To make the tribesmen believe, the boy had to accept their challenge and turn into wind and after the wind stops he comes to know about the soul of the world.

He finally arrives at the Pyramids of Egypt. As he starts digging for the treasure, he is surrounded by the refugees of the tribal wars who ask him "What are you hiding there?"

The boy pleads that he was digging for a mysterious treasure. The leader of the group says he too had a dream where he saw a treasure in the fields of Spain, where shepherds and their sheep slept under a ruined church with a sycamore growing out of it. But he was not so stupid as to cross an entire desert just because of a dream. So the boy comes to understand that the greatest treasure is himself.

This book is brilliantly written. It touches your heart as the story comes to an end. It teaches that every treasure lies in our own hearts and there is no need to search for it in the outside world. Search yourself and you get the world. It is recommended for those who love spirituality and for those who would love to read something to make their heart smile…

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The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: A Complete Book Review

Paulo Coelho, born on August 24, 1947, is a Brazilian author whose works have captivated millions of readers around the world. His writing is deeply rooted in spirituality, philosophy, and self-discovery, making him one of the most influential contemporary authors. Coelho’s most renowned work, “The Alchemist,” is a timeless tale that explores the journey of self-discovery and the pursuit of one’s dreams. The novel has been translated into numerous languages and has sold over 65 million copies, making it one of the best-selling books in history.

Coelho’s literary career began in the theatre, but it was with his pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago that he experienced a transformative spiritual awakening, inspiring him to pursue his true calling as a writer. His writing style is characterized by simplicity and profound wisdom, conveying complex ideas in accessible language. Beyond “The Alchemist,” Coelho has authored numerous other novels, including “Brida,” “Veronika Decides to Die,” and “The Witch of Portobello,” each exploring themes of destiny, love, and the human spirit.

A recipient of numerous awards and honors, Paulo Coelho continues to inspire readers with his unique blend of storytelling and philosophical insight, encouraging individuals to embrace their own paths and fulfill their personal legends.

Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist” stands as a beacon in the literary landscape, beckoning readers to embark on a transformative odyssey. In this comprehensive review, we delve deep into the layers of Coelho’s narrative, unravelling the tapestry of philosophy, spirituality, and self-discovery that makes this timeless work a masterpiece.

Santiago, a shepherd with dreams as expansive as the Andalusian sky, sets forth on a quest to unearth a treasure hidden near the Egyptian pyramids. Beyond a mere physical journey, “The Alchemist” unravels the metaphysical expedition of Santiago as he encounters enigmatic characters, deciphers cryptic omens, and grapples with profound philosophical insights.

Summary of the Alchemist:

In the heart of Andalusia, there lived a young shepherd named Santiago. Restless and curious, he wandered the vast fields, tending to his flock of sheep. One night, he had a recurring dream of finding treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. Convinced that this vision was his personal legend, Santiago decided to embark on a journey of self-discovery.

As he set out on the dusty roads, Santiago encountered Melchizedek, the king of Salem, who revealed the concept of Personal Legend and introduced him to the Language of the World. The journey, he learned, was not only about reaching a destination but also about understanding the interconnectedness of all things.

On his way, Santiago encountered a beautiful desert oasis where he met Fatima, a woman of the desert. They shared a profound connection, and Santiago learned the true meaning of love and the importance of balancing personal dreams with relationships.

His journey took a crucial turn when he met the enigmatic alchemist who guided him to transform base metals into gold, a metaphor for transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. Through trials and challenges, the alchemist imparted profound wisdom about the Soul of the World and the power of one’s beliefs.

In the Egyptian desert, Santiago faced his ultimate test, turning lead into gold as a demonstration of his spiritual growth. The journey, he discovered, was the treasure itself—a treasure that transcended material wealth.

As Santiago gazed at the pyramids, he realized that the pursuit of his dreams had led him to a profound understanding of himself and the universe. The treasure was not in the destination but in the transformative journey that had shaped his character and soul.

With the wisdom gained, Santiago returned to Andalusia, where he reunited with his flock. He understood that the true alchemy was the ability to turn dreams into reality and that the journey never truly ends as long as one continues to listen to the heart and follow the Language of the World.

Key Themes:

1. Personal Legend: Coelho introduces the notion of a “Personal Legend,” an individual’s unique destiny and purpose. The narrative serves as a guiding light, inspiring readers to introspect and pursue their own dreams, irrespective of societal norms.

2. Spiritual Alchemy: The novel intricately weaves the symbolism of alchemy into Santiago’s journey, mirroring the transformative process of turning base metals into gold. Readers are invited to contemplate their own journey of self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment.

3. Omens and Synchronicity: Santiago’s encounters with omens and synchronicities punctuate the narrative, emphasizing the importance of paying heed to the signs the universe presents. Coelho explores the concept of interconnectedness and the role of fate in guiding one’s path.

4. The Language of the World: Central to the narrative is the concept of the “Language of the World,” a universal language that connects all things. Coelho urges readers to attune themselves to this language, fostering a deeper understanding of the mysteries that surround us.

Writing Style:

Coelho’s prose is elegantly simple, yet laden with profound meaning. The rhythmic cadence of his words creates an immersive reading experience, allowing readers to seamlessly connect with the characters and the novel’s overarching themes.

Impact and Reception:

“The Alchemist” has transcended cultural boundaries, captivating a global audience and earning its place as a literary classic. Its enduring impact is evident in its widespread acclaim, with readers expressing gratitude for the inspiration and wisdom gleaned from Santiago’s journey.

In conclusion, “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho is a magnum opus that beckons readers to venture beyond the ordinary and explore the depths of their own souls. Its exploration of personal legend, spiritual alchemy, and the language of the world invites introspection, making it a timeless companion for those navigating the intricate labyrinth of existence. This comprehensive review merely scratches the surface of the profound tapestry woven by Coelho, leaving readers with an indelible invitation to embark on their own journey of self-discovery.

The Alchemist Book Review: An Inspiring and Quick Read

An inspiring, quick read.

The Alchemist is a short novel written by Paulo Coelho. The word count only adds up to about 45k. I literally reread the book in a weekend to write this review. The book was first published by a Brazilian publisher and then an editor from Harper Collins picked it up. Soon after, it became an International Bestseller—paving the way for Paulo Coelho to publish a few more books that never really out did The Alchemist. Unlike other books, this one doesn’t have chapters; there are two parts and a bunch of space breaks.

The story follows a kid named Santiago who is a Shepard in Andalusia. Every year he visits a town to sell his sheep’s wool. One day he had a dream of a young boy telling him he has treasure waiting for him in the Pyramids.

He embarks on an expedition from Spain to Morocco, across the Sahara Desert and finally to the Pyramids. His one and only goal is to find the treasure from his dream, but he learns more about life outside being a Shepard. A life-changing expedition that turns his life around completely. He gets robbed, works at a crystal shop, meets an Englishman, meets the love of his life, an alchemist, and learns many lessons. All this to pursue his Personal Legend — reach the pyramids and find the treasure that awaits him.

My Praise and Critique. There’s a lot to love about The Alchemist. It’s filled with motivational words that push a person to find their purpose in life. How one should follow their goal at any given moment without waiting for the right time. If one wants to travel, they should do it now, rather than waiting later on in life.

The old man pointed to a baker standing in his shop window at one corner of the plaza. “When he was a child. that man wanted to travel, too. But he decided first to buy his bakery and put some money aside. When he’s an old man, he’s going to spend a month in Africa. He never realized that people are capable at any time of their lives, of doing what they dream of.” The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

The characters are not three-dimensional, with Santiago being the closest to a three-dimensional character. The story is narrated in third person, and the narrator jumps in and out of Santiago’s thoughts, but none of the other characters’. I couldn’t imagine what the characters looked like, or the setting, for that matter. The only section that I could really visualize was the crystal shop at the top of the hill and the leader of the caravan, with a beard and dark eyes. As for the other characters or places, including Santiago, it was hard to imagine them.

The Alchemist also contained some fantastical components. For example, Santiago talked to the Wind and the Desert. I was a bit confused when the boy talked to the Wind and the Desert because Paulo never explained the ability behind it. He lightly touched upon it but lacked the explanation behind the fantastical ability. The omens were another piece of the book that I did not favor. I didn’t think it was necessary. Maybe it’s just me because I don’t believe in that stuff.

Recommendation. I would definitely recommend the Alchemist to everyone, no matter their age. It’s a novel that is worth its reading time. I summarized the review below and gave it my rating out of 10. Click here for the book.

The Da Vinci Code Book Review: A daring and speedy read

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Book Summary: The Alchemist

(10th grade)

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Full Book Summary

Paulo Coelho’s enchanting novel in the eclectic “magical realism” category is dazzling in many ways. The style reads simply yet contains powerful emotions, interesting and deep characters, plots twists and inspiring wisdom. An Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. He is both a simple sheep herder and an ambitious explorer. He follows his dreams, literally, a well as “signs” from his environment. Our main character is thoughtful beyond his years but also a child subject to being impressionable. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king (is he really a king? who should he believe?), a man who claims to be an alchemist (is he really an alchemist who can turn metal to gold?) and then a real alchemist who doesn’t brag at all. Each character points Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. He hits dead ends, someone steals his money, he trusts incorrectly, he gets captured in the desert, etc… but amazing things happen as well and the plot always moves forward. Tides turn. He arguably changes his own destiny with his actions. Santiago must wrestle with what he is told vs. what is real. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within – the fine line between reality and the spiritual. He moves from hopeless to hopeful and back again throughout the story. He even meets Fatima, love at first sight, in a massive desert oasis. His quest, coupled with the magical realism genre might leave the reader with questions. Did Santiago truly summon the sandstorm that led to his escape in the desert or was it a coincidence? Did he really feel Fatima’s kiss on his cheek at the end, or was it just a sense or longing to fulfill his promise to return to her? Lush, evocative, and full of awesome quotes about being, the story of Santiago is a real (and slightly magical) representation of the transforming power of our dreams, whether real or imagined, people in our lives and the importance of listening to our hearts.

Questions to consider while reading:

Questions to ask yourself while reading “The Alchemist” Feel free to incorporate these thought starters into your Summer Reading summaries:

1 – Where did you think the treasure was while you were reading? Did you think it existed? Would you follow visions and innuendos form others to find your “treasure”?

2 – Did you like the style of writing? Why or why not? Did you like the line between reality and the supernatural?

3 – Did you notice the circular theme? Santiago ended up where he started o find the treasure? Do you think he will return to Fatima and complete another circle?

Online Book Reviews of The Alchemist:

The Guardian : For anyone who reads not only to escape reality but also to understand reality, The Alchemist can offer the best of both worlds. The events of the novel sit just on the borderline of miraculous and the ambience is simply just not that of our humdrum teenage world. However, The Alchemist also supplies insight and inspiration that extends beyond Santiago’s Sahara and into all lives, whether young, old, or teenage. The Alchemist may not be your regular YA fiction book, but it most definitely still deserves a place on your bookshelf!

Publishers Weekly : The story has the comic charm, dramatic tension and psychological intensity of a fairy tale, but it’s full of specific wisdom as well, about becoming self-empowered, overcoming depression, and believing in dreams. The cumulative effect is like hearing a wonderful bedtime story from an inspirational psychiatrist.

The Alchemist Summary

1-Sentence-Summary: The Alchemist follows Andalusian shepherd boy Santiago as he chases his recurring dream of treasure near the Egyptian pyramids, on the way to which he meets mentors, falls in love, and, most importantly, discovers the meaning of life.

Favorite quote from the author:

Table of Contents

Video Summary

Free audio & pdf summary, the alchemist review, who would i recommend the alchemist summary to.

It only took Paulo Coelho two weeks to write the original Portuguese version of The Alchemist in 1987. He could write that fast because, as he put it, the book was “already written in my soul.” And although it didn’t sell well at first, the universe conspired to make Coelho’s dream happen and the book became a hit.

Today, it’s sold over 65 million copies. The book also holds the Guinness World Record for the most translated book by a living author. It’s also our first ever summary of a fiction book. Why? Well, Gregory Cowles was right. H e wrote in the New York Times that the book “is more self-help than literature. But that hasn’t hurt it with readers.”

This book truly is full of lessons that will improve your life. We know because that’s what it’s done for us.

Here are just 3 of the many eye-opening lessons from The Alchemist :

You have a Personal Legend that you must follow if you want to be happy and fulfilled.
Your fear is holding you back more than anything else.
“The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.”

Let’s jump right into this wonderful book and see how much we can learn!

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Lesson 1: If you want to reach your biggest goals and feel fulfilled, you must follow your Personal Legend.

The story begins with a young Spanish shepherd having a recurring dream. It happens each time he sleeps under a Sycamore tree outside of an old church building. In the dream, the boy hears from a child that he must go to the Egyptian pyramids to seek a treasure.

After meeting with a gypsy woman to find out what the dream means, the boy is surprised when she says he needs to go to Egypt.

To make matters even stranger, an old man named Melchizedek tells the boy the same thing. This time, however, the man uses the word “Personal Legend” to explain what the young man must do.

After some deliberation, the boy decides to follow his Personal Legend and head for the pyramids. He sells his sheep and begins his journey by going to Tangier.

Throughout the remainder of the book, he is constantly running into obstacles to his Personal Legend. But at each step overcomes them to find success and fulfillment.

You have a Personal Legend too. It’s as unique as you are. You may already know what it is and simply need the courage to pursue it. Whether it’s a career, family, health, or other aspiration, you must overcome everything holding you back so that you can pursue your biggest dreams.

Once you begin, the whole universe will conspire to make it happen. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be without difficulties.

Lesson 2: Stop being afraid if you want to remove the barriers that keep you from progressing.

The boy soon arrives in Tangier. The culture and the language, which he cannot speak, amaze him. This leads to someone stealing all his money. Even worse, he fears he’s made the wrong decision and almost heads back for Spain.

But remembering what Melchizedek taught him, the young man pays attention to the omens all around him. He recommits to his Personal Legend and begins working for a local crystal merchant.

The merchant recognizes the boy’s presence as a good omen and listens to his counsel that the man should take more risks with the business. This pays off and the two eventually become rich.

The merchant knows what his Personal Legened is and recognizes that the boy’s presence is an omen that he should go after it. But he’s too afraid to follow it and stays where he is.

In contrast, the young man uses his money to courageously continue on his journey to Egypt.

You also must your dreams, even when you’re afraid of the unknown path ahead. Fear is the biggest thing in the way of you living the life you want and only by beating it can you live life to the fullest.

Lesson 3: Rise more times than you fall and you will never fail.

As the young man’s journey continues, he meets an Englishman who tells him of an alchemist that can turn lead into gold. Eventually, the two stop in Al-Fayoum as part of the caravan they travel with.

While there, the boy uses his newfound ability to read omens to foresee an attack on the oasis. This catches the attention of the alchemist. The two eventually meet and he becomes a mentor to the young man. The alchemist also declares the importance of Personal Legends.

With what he learns from the alchemist, the boy turns himself into the wind when a tribe of Arab soldiers captures them and threatens to kill them. The alchemist continues to teach the boy, but eventually they must part ways before the young man reaches Egypt.

When he gets to Egypt he begins digging for his treasure only to be immediately beaten and robbed again. One of the men tells him of his own dream in which he would find treasure under a tree in an abandoned church in Spain.

The boy recognizes this omen and now knows where his treasure really is. He returns to Spain to find it in the exact spot he had his first dream and uses it to continue to fulfill his Personal Legend.

Just like this young man, you will fall while on your journey. But if you commit to get up every time and keep going , the universe will once again conspire to lead you to just where you need to be.

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The Alchemist is a classic and one of my favorite books. It’s deep, thought-provoking, a great story, and shares some of the best principles I know for living a happier and more successful life. Truly a must-read I would recommend to anyone!

The 37-year-old who wants to be a writer but feels stuck in their office job, the 17-year-old who wants to live a life of fulfillment, and anyone who’s tired of living small.

Last Updated on March 15, 2024

Luke Rowley

With over 450 summaries that he contributed to Four Minute Books, first as a part-time writer, then as our full-time Managing Editor until late 2021, Luke is our second-most prolific writer. He's also a professional, licensed engineer, working in the solar industry. Next to his day job, he also runs Goal Engineering, a website dedicated to achieving your goals with a unique, 4-4-4 system. Luke is also a husband, father, 75 Hard finisher, and lover of the outdoors. He lives in Utah with his wife and 3 kids.

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Book Reviews

[Book Review] ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho

Book review of 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brazilian author Paulo Coelho was born in 1947 in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Before completely dedicating his life to literature, he worked as a theater director and actor, lyricist and journalist. In 1986, Coelho undertook the pilgrimage to Saint James of Compostella, an experience later to be documented in his book The Pilgrimage . In the following year, Coelho published The Alchemist . Sluggish initial sales convinced his first publisher to drop the novel, before it went on to become one of the bestselling Brazilian books of all time . Other titles include Brida (1990), The Valkyries (1992), and By the river Piedra I Sat Down and Wept (1994).

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”

One of the best works of Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist is not only philosophy, but a good philosophy at that. It tells us that life is not about the consequences ; it is about the journey . It narrates the story of a voyage encompassing two continents – a journey that transforms the thinking and perceptions of the traveler, Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd. He keeps getting the same dream about the treasures lying in the Pyramids of Egypt. The book details his journey and the various experiences he has while following his dream. Throughout his journey, Santiago encounters a lot of new people and many problems, which ultimately help him to learn and grow.

There isn’t much of a need for a plot etched out in detail. In fact, the plot isn’t even primarily important in this gem of a novel; it is, at best, incidental to the story . Coelho has rather concentrated on the truth behind the meanings and ideas of certain consequences, and the actions that precede them. A multitude of simple yet profound philosophies are presented throughout Santiago’s journey. Coelho infuses these into the story in a charming manner, so as to not burden the reader. The language is simple, yet effective, and every word lends a meaning to the story .

It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.

The Alchemist an entrepreneurial tale of universal wisdom . This fable is a roseate amalgam of a spiritual quest, an existential mystery, a heart-warming sensitivity, and a profound strength. Though far from being the greatest piece of literature on the planet, The Alchemist can stand its ground purely on the basis of its content, not to mention the hidden gems of the meanings that are beautifully interspersed in between the lines. The book emphasizes the values of spirituality, faith, hope and love through the symbolic narration of a fascinating story of an ordinary boy with extraordinary beliefs. It teaches its readers, in a very subtle and effective way, the power of positivity . Coelho not only gives a factual description of the scenes, but also presents a vivid description of the protagonist’s feelings and emotions. The word-choice is impeccable, to the extent that every sentence seems to be brimming with sagacity and philosophy.

Santiago’s journey teaches us about the undeniable importance of listening to our hearts , of recognizing every worthwhile opportunity that comes our way, of learning to read the good and bad omens strewn along the path of life, and, most importantly, of never giving up on following our dreams. The book does not overlook the fact that dreams often come at a price. However, as Coelho has rightly pointed out in his interviews, not pursuing one’s dreams also entails a price. The dream-chaser has a greater responsibility – that of handling their own freedom. While this may not seem like such a huge price to pay, it does require a level of awareness that most of us may not be used to.

The Alchemist weaves self-empowering and spiritual truths into an irresistible story, which is rounded off with an indelible ending . Readers with a penchant for classic literature may find the narrative a bit glib and the characterization shallow, but it must always be noted that this book was intended to be a fable, and it is replete with the simplicity of one.

In conclusion, Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is a soul-refreshing book that dishes out a multitude of life lessons in one go . Scoring a 4 out of 5, the novel is best read when in an introspective mood. This book can be a great recommendation for the people who are trying to find their way in life.

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Good review. It really is a wonderful book.

Yes, it is. We are glad you liked our review of it. 🙂

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Exploring the Inspiring Story of “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho

“The Alchemist” is a bestselling novel by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, first published in 1988. The book has sold over 150 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 80 languages. It tells the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who embarks on a journey to find a treasure he has dreamed about, encountering a series of obstacles and meeting various characters along the way.

Paulo Coelho was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1947. He worked as a journalist, playwright, and songwriter before becoming a full-time author. Coelho’s writing is deeply influenced by his own spiritual journey and his interest in mysticism and esotericism. In addition to “The Alchemist,” he has written several other bestselling books, including “Brida,” “Veronika Decides to Die,” and “The Valkyries.”

The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive summary of “The Alchemist,” including its plot, themes, and motifs. Additionally, the article will offer analysis and interpretation of the book, exploring its symbolism and allegory. Finally, the article will discuss the lessons and takeaways that readers can glean from the book, as well as provide personal reflections and recommendations for those who have not yet read it.

“The alchemist” book review summary

Themes and motifs of “the alchemist” book, analysis and interpretation “the alchemist” by paulo coelho, lessons learned and takeaways.

Setting and Main Characters “The Alchemist” is set in Spain and North Africa in the late 19th century. The main character, Santiago, is an Andalusian shepherd boy who dreams of finding a treasure hidden near the Pyramids of Egypt.

Overview of the Plot Santiago embarks on a journey to find the treasure, leaving behind his comfortable life as a shepherd. Along the way, he meets a series of characters who help him on his journey, including a gypsy woman, a mysterious alchemist, and a woman named Fatima, whom he falls in love with.

Key Events and Turning Points:

Santiago has a recurring dream of a treasure hidden near the Pyramids of Egypt.
Santiago meets a gypsy woman who interprets his dream and tells him to pursue his personal legend.
Santiago sells his sheep and embarks on a journey to find the treasure.
Santiago encounters various obstacles, including thieves and a hostile tribal chieftain.
Santiago meets the alchemist, who teaches him the principles of alchemy and helps him find the treasure.
Santiago learns the importance of listening to his heart and following his personal legend.
Santiago returns to Spain and discovers that the treasure was buried under a tree in his hometown all along.

Overall, “The Alchemist” is a story about self-discovery and following one’s dreams, as well as the transformative power of taking risks and embarking on a journey of self-discovery.

The Motif of Alchemy and Transformation. Alchemy is a recurring motif in “The Alchemist,” representing the transformative power of personal growth and self-discovery. The alchemist that Santiago meets on his journey teaches him the principles of alchemy, which he applies to his own life as he pursues his personal legend. The process of turning lead into gold is symbolic of the process of personal transformation, and Santiago’s journey is a testament to the power of self-improvement and spiritual growth.

Other Major Themes, such as the Importance of Following One’s Heart and the Power of the Universe. In addition to personal legends and alchemy, “The Alchemist” explores other major themes, such as the importance of following one’s heart and the power of the universe. Santiago learns to listen to his heart and trust his intuition, even when it leads him on an uncertain path. He also comes to understand that the universe has a way of conspiring to help people achieve their dreams, as long as they are committed to their personal legends. These themes highlight the importance of taking risks, following one’s dreams, and embracing the mysteries of life.

Symbolism and Allegory in “The Alchemist”. “The Alchemist” is rich with symbolism and allegory, which can be interpreted in many ways. For example, the treasure that Santiago seeks can be seen as a metaphor for his personal legend, while the desert and other obstacles he faces represent the challenges he must overcome on his journey. Similarly, the alchemist can be interpreted as a mentor figure who helps Santiago unlock his inner potential and achieve his goals.
Philosophical and Spiritual Themes. “The Alchemist” is a deeply philosophical and spiritual book, exploring themes such as destiny, free will, and the nature of the universe. Coelho’s writing encourages readers to contemplate their own beliefs and values, and to consider the ways in which they can create meaning and purpose in their own lives. The book also incorporates elements of mysticism and spirituality, drawing on traditions such as Sufism and the teachings of the prophet Muhammad.
Critical Reception of the Book. “The Alchemist” has been widely praised for its inspiring message and engaging storytelling. It has sold over 65 million copies worldwide and has been translated into more than 80 languages. Some critics, however, have criticized the book for its simplistic writing style and lack of depth in its characterizations. Nevertheless, it continues to be a beloved classic among readers around the world, inspiring many to pursue their own personal legends and embrace the mysteries of life.

Pursue your personal legend and stay committed to your goals.
Embrace the unknown and have faith in the universe.
Trust your intuition and follow your heart, even when it leads you on an uncertain path.
Embrace change and be open to new experiences.
Remember that every experience, even setbacks and failures, can teach us valuable lessons.

“The Alchemist” has had a profound impact on many readers, inspiring them to make significant changes in their lives and pursue their dreams. Some readers have reported quitting their jobs, traveling the world, or starting their own businesses after reading the book. Others have found comfort and inspiration in the book’s message during difficult times in their lives.

“The Alchemist” is full of memorable quotes and passages that have become famous in their own right. Some of the most inspirational include:

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
“The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.”
“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”
“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

In conclusion, “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho is a timeless and inspiring book that has captivated readers around the world with its message of following one’s dreams and embracing the mysteries of life. Through its allegorical story and philosophical themes, the book encourages readers to contemplate their own beliefs and values, and to pursue their own personal legends. “The Alchemist” has had a profound impact on many readers, inspiring them to make significant changes in their lives and pursue their dreams. The book’s powerful lessons and inspiring quotes continue to resonate with readers, making it a beloved classic that will continue to inspire and uplift for generations to come.

What is "The Alchemist" about?

"The Alchemist" is a novel by Paulo Coelho that tells the story of a shepherd boy named Santiago who embarks on a journey to follow his personal legend and fulfill his dreams.

What are some of the key themes in "The Alchemist"?

Some of the major themes in "The Alchemist" include the pursuit of personal legends, the power of the universe, and the importance of listening to one's heart and intuition.

What is the significance of alchemy in the book?

In "The Alchemist," alchemy is used as a metaphor for the process of transformation and self-discovery. Through Santiago's journey, readers see how the alchemical process can lead to spiritual growth and enlightenment.

Has "The Alchemist" received critical acclaim?

Yes, "The Alchemist" has been widely praised for its inspirational message and storytelling. It has sold over 65 million copies worldwide and has been translated into over 80 languages.

What are some of the most memorable quotes from "The Alchemist"?

Some of the most famous quotes from "The Alchemist" include "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it," "It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting," and "There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure."

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The Alchemist | Book Review, Summary, Lessons [PDF]

Free Download Bestseller Novel The Alchemist Book PDF in English, Hindi, Bengali

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Table of Contents

The Alchemist Review

A global phenomenon, The Alchemist , a graphic novel has been read and loved by over 80 million readers, topping bestseller lists in 74 countries worldwide. Now this magical fable is beautifully repackaged in an edition that lovers of Paulo Coelho will want to treasure forever.

Dreams, symbols, signs, and adventure follow the reader like echoes of ancient wise voices in “ The Alchemist “, a novel that combines an atmosphere of Medieval mysticism with the song of the desert. With this symbolic masterpiece Coelho states that we should not avoid our destinies, and urges people to follow their dreams, because to find our “Personal Myth” and our mission on Earth is the way to find “God”, meaning happiness, fulfillment, and the ultimate purpose of creation.

The novel tells the tale of Santiago , a boy who has a dream and the courage to follow it. After listening to “the signs” the boy ventures in his personal, Ulysses-like journey of exploration and self-discovery, symbolically searching for a hidden treasure located near the pyramids in Egypt.

When he decides to go, his father’s only advice is “ Travel the world until you see that our castle is the greatest, and our women the most beautiful” . In his journey, Santiago sees the greatness of the world, and meets all kinds of exciting people like kings and alchemists. However, by the end of the novel, he discovers that “treasure lies where your heart belongs”, and that the treasure was the journey itself, the discoveries he made, and the wisdom he acquired.

“ The Alchemist “, is an exciting novel that bursts with optimism; it is the kind of novel that tells you that everything is possible as long as you really want it to happen. That may sound like an oversimplified version of new-age philosophy and mysticism, but as Coelho states “simple things are the most valuable and only wise people appreciate them” .

As the alchemist himself says, when he appears to Santiago in the form of an old king “when you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true”. This is the core of the novel’s philosophy and a motif that echoes behind Coelho’s writing all through “ The Alchemist “. And isn’t it true that the whole of humankind desperately wants to believe the old king when he says that the greatest lie in the world is that at some point we lose the ability to control our lives, and become the pawns of fate. Perhaps this is the secret of Coelho’s success: that he tells people what they want to hear, or rather that he tells them that what they wish for but never thought possible could even be probable.

Coelho also suggests that those who do not have the courage to follow their “Personal Myth” , are doomed to a life of emptiness, misery, and unfulfillment. Fear of failure seems to be the greatest obstacle to happiness. As the old crystal-seller tragically confesses: “ I am afraid that great disappointment awaits me, and so I prefer to dream” . This is where Coelho really captures the drama of man, who sacrifices fulfillment to conformity, who knows he can achieve greatness but denies to do so, and ends up living a life of void.

It is interesting to see that Coelho presents the person who denies to follow his dream as the person who denies to see God, and that “every happy person carries God within him” . However, only few people choose to follow the road that has been made for them, and find God while searching for their destiny, and their mission on earth.

Consequently, is Coelho suggesting that the alchemist found God while searching for the elixir of life and the philosopher’s stone? What is certain is that the symbolism of the text is a parallel to the symbolism and the symbolic language of alchemism , and similarly the symbolism of dreams is presented as “God’s language”.

It is also symbolic that Santiago finds his soul-mate, and the secrets of wisdom in the wilderness of the desert. The “wilderness” is a symbol that has been used by many great writers e.g.. Austen in “ Mansfield Park “, and Shakespeare in “ King Lear “. In the desert, Santiago meets his “twin-soul” and discovers that love is the core of existence and creation. As Coelho explains, when we love, we always try to improve ourselves, and that’s when everything is possible. The subject of love inspires a beautiful lyricism in Coelho’s writing:

“ I love you because the whole universe conspired for me to come close to you.”

“ The Alchemist ” is a novel that may appeal to everybody, because we can all identify with Santiago: all of us have dreams, and are dying for somebody to tell us that they may come true. The novel skillfully combines words of wisdom, philosophy, and simplicity of meaning and language, which makes it particularly readable and accounts for its bestselling status.

Everyone who is such a seeker should read this optimistic book of one who seems to have succeeded in the process of turning a potentially base life into a golden achievement, a true alchemist’s conversion.

The Alchemist Paulo Coelho Summary

At the onset of the Alchemist , we meet Santiago – a simple shepherd who lives in Andalusia, a small village in Spain. He has no big desires in life – all he wants is to be free to roam with his sheep, little wine and a book in his bag. Soon things change… he gets a repeated dream of a great treasure, hidden under the Egyptian Pyramids. One day, he meets Melchizedek – king of a distant land, who encourages Santiago to chase his dream and treasure. Santiago also sells his sheep and sets off journey towards the desert.

But unfortunately, on the very first day in the new country, a clever thief robs Santiago. Broken Santiago finds a job with a crystal merchant – just to get some money to go back to his home. But soon he learns all the tricks and makes the merchant’s business successful.

Days run, at one-point Santiago realizes that he’s just getting comfortable with things as they are, instead of pursuing his personal legend. That strives Santiago to restart his journey, he joins a caravan which travels across the desert. He meets an English man on the caravan, who’s looking for the 200-year-old alchemist. That English man is an avid-reader who tells Santiago that the alchemist lives in the nearby oasis.

The caravan stops near an Oasis since there’s a tribal war on the way. There, he finds Fatima – a girl from the deserts. They fell in love with each other and starts living together near the oasis. One day, Santiago envisions an attack on the Oasis and save all the people and animals over there. His inception to predict the future makes him popular across the desert, that the alchemist himself pays a visit to Santiago. The alchemist promises to guide Santiago towards the treasure. Fatima too encourages Santiago to chase his dream.

The very next day, Santiago resumes his journey with the alchemist towards the treasure pyramids, but both are captured by some refugees on the way. At the climax, with his strong confidence and magical powers, Santiago speaks to Sun and Wind – to bring the rain. Frustrated refugees beat up Santiago, but one of them reveals that the treasure is not in here in the pyramids, but they’re there at “Andalusia” – the small village in Spain from where Santiago’s all the journey began

The story ends as Santiago discovers the treasure, right at a tree in Andalusia – where he’d his first dream. With all the fortunes, Santiago goes back to the deserts to meet his love, Fatima.

Interesting Facts about Paulo Coelho

Top 5 Lessons in The Alchemist

The book is full of lessons and pieces of inspiration spread all through the story. Perhaps, I need a full post to list all of them. Here are some of the 5 important takeaways in my view:

Listen to your heart and follow your dreams
Live in the present.
Watch out for “signs” of the Universe that tries to help you.
Never give-up on failures.
The treasure is where you are but you need to go out to know it.

Not all of us can find Santiago within us; we all have dreams, but not everyone is ready to quit the contented life and start chasing dreams, and that’s what makes the Alchemist story enchanting.

The Alchemist PDF

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The Alchemist book review | Masterpiece by Paulo Coelho!

Reading is beneficial for self-development and mental stimulation. the alchemist seems perfect for inspiration. keep reading to know more about the alchemist book review and summary., table of contents, book review | the alchemist, what’s the plot, thoughts about the book, self development through reading, key takeaways.

You need not be an avid reader to identify the perfect book for yourself. Everyone has their preference and taste. You can love romance, thriller, or horror narratives. The moment you see a book, you’ve already decided its fate. So what comes to your mind when you read The Alchemist? The Alchemist book review will give the necessary insights you might want to know.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, a Brazilian author, is one of the best-selling books in history. It was first published in Portuguese in 1988 and has since been translated into numerous languages worldwide. The novel is an analogy that follows a young Andalusian shepherd on his journey to Egypt’s pyramids after having a recurring dream of discovering a treasure there.

In 1987, Coelho wrote The Alchemist in just two weeks. He explained that he could write at such a rapid pace because the story was “already written in (his) soul.”

The story begins by describing a shepherd named Santiago and his flock arriving at an abandoned church. Santiago continues to have dreams about a treasure he discovers near the pyramids in Egypt.

A fortune teller interprets the dream as a prophecy. Before beginning his journey, Santiago meets an old king named Melchizedek, known as the King of Salem. The latter advises him to sell his sheep to travel to Egypt and introduces the concept of a personal legend. He loosely explains that a personal legend is finding his life’s purpose.

As a result, the book’s plot is primarily focused on Santiago following his dream and attempting to live out his personal legend. He sets out on a journey to Tangiers and Egypt, where he must overcome numerous obstacles before discovering his treasure. The central theme of the book is realizing one’s destiny.

Santiago meets many new people and faces many challenges along the way, which ultimately helps him learn and grow. Does he find the treasures in Egypt’s Pyramids?

The Alchemist is a fascinating read with beautiful storytelling. The word choice is flawless, full of wisdom and philosophy. It gives you a sense of inspiration. The story is enchanting and brimming with optimism, which is essential in our lives. The book demonstrates that the path to your destiny is just as critical as the destination itself.

The story of an ordinary boy emphasizes the importance of faith, hope, and spirituality. The narration itself justifies the simplicity and nuances of the book. Indeed, everyone will enjoy this book because we all have dreams, and sometimes we just want someone to tell us they might come true.

Another intriguing theme in the novel to which one can relate is the negative consequences of fear. People will live in misery if they let fear control their lives. Santiago would not have discovered the treasure and, more importantly, the meaning of his life, his personal legend, if he had allowed his fear of pursuing his dream to dominate his life.

Overall, The Alchemist book review states that it is an exciting fiction novel that should be on everyone’s bookshelf. It’s the best read when you feel like diving into illusion and coming back to reality with a strong mind and positive attitude.

Reading, especially influential works like “The Alchemist,” is a gateway to self-discovery and personal growth. By their very nature, books serve as guides for self-reflection, encouraging you to ponder your own lives, beliefs, and aspirations. Paulo Coelho’s narrative in “The Alchemist” is a prime example of literature that transcends mere storytelling to become a catalyst for introspection.

Books often offer insights that resonate with readers emotionally and intellectually. They become mirrors, reflecting our thoughts, emotions, and experiences. “The Alchemist” is a treasure trove of life lessons that inspire mindfulness and self-awareness. Santiago’s journey towards self-actualization is relatable to anyone navigating their path in life. This transformative journey not only resonates with readers but also nudges them to contemplate their dreams, the pursuit of purpose, and the hurdles encountered along the way.

Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is one of the best-selling books in history.
The protagonist in the book is Santiago, who is following his personal legend.
The book is a must-read for people looking out for motivation and inspiration combined with an engaging plot.

We hope this blog was insightful. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us !

Liked this blog? Read next: 10 best books for teens you need to check out !

Q1) Does literature such as “The Alchemist” aid in mindfulness?

Answer: Books like “The Alchemist” introduce themes that prompt readers to contemplate life’s purpose and meaning. The introspective nature of such narratives encourages mindfulness by urging readers to reflect on their life’s journey and aspirations.

Q2) What essential themes does The Alchemist explore?

Answer: The book delves into themes of destiny, faith, hope, spirituality, and the impact of fear on one’s pursuit of dreams. It emphasizes the importance of the journey itself in achieving one’s destiny.

Q3) What readership or audience is most likely to appreciate The Alchemist?

Answer: The book appeals to a broad audience, resonating with readers who value inspiration, self-discovery, and the exploration of life’s deeper meanings.

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A Novelist Comes Home to Bury Her Words, and Brings Them Back to Life

In Julia Alvarez’s “The Cemetery of Untold Stories,” a boneyard in the Dominican Republic becomes a rich wellspring for discarded narratives.

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By Luis Alberto Urrea

Luis Alberto Urrea’s most recent novel is “Good Night, Irene.”

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THE CEMETERY OF UNTOLD STORIES , by Julia Alvarez

The best stories live within us long after the final word; characters and places continue beyond the lines on a page. Yet the image of all the unfinished, unsatisfying, impossible stories we leave in our wakes haunts the writer as well as the reader. And with more than 20 books published across a three-decade career, no one may be haunted more than Julia Alvarez.

The hero of Alvarez’s seventh novel, Alma Cruz, is a writer from the Dominican Republic who has come to the United States and created a literary life, beginning with critically acclaimed books about the motherland and evolving into a chronicler of life in the U.S.A. (Longtime readers of Alvarez’s work will recognize her own trajectory, from her early classics like “How the García Girls Lost Their Accents” and “In the Time of the Butterflies” through poetry, memoir, children’s books and more.)

The famous author has always wrestled shadow and sunlight, laughter and agony, into tales that sometimes felt like ghost stories. Readers knew to seek the truths behind the narrative — to find sorrow in the funniest scenes, or the unexpected outburst of joy in a somber one. Of course, I am speaking about Alma Cruz. (But also, Julia Alvarez.)

One day, Alma decides she has had enough with the fame game, the big career and its ups and downs. She comes to a lovely conclusion: It is time to return to the homeland she fled, and she will take all the drafts of her unfinished or unpublished books and lay them to rest there, giving each a proper burial. She buys a plot of land and begins to build a graveyard.

The locals become a fantastic choir of curious, suspicious, baffled neighbors: One rumor has it that “the place will be a resort, which would provide employment for maids, gardeners, waiters, cooks, watchmen”; another imagines “a grand house, complete with a swimming pool, a tennis court, a mini putting green.” Still another posits, “A baseball academy would be a dream come true for the tigueritos roaming the streets. Keep them out of trouble.” But when they realize Alma is building a graveyard, the outburst is comedic: a cemetery! Fear of zombies immediately clashes with the fear of homeless people defecating in mausoleums — and what kinds of jobs, by the way, are there in a boneyard? They have more reckoning to do when they realize Alma intends to put her stories in the ground, literally.

Word goes out that the great author has returned, and the locals flock to her like butterflies, everyone eager to share. A festival of storytelling breaks out in the tropics. Are the neighbors hoping to bury their own or are they giving life to tales untold? No matter. Rumors and gossip, histories and familial dramas swirl around Alma. “A little bird told me. Había una vez. Cuentan los viejos. Some scandal on the news, who is sleeping with whom, what fulano has done or said to fulana, a juicy chisme, a hot rumor. …” Amid the chatter, Alma’s own stories, the ones she has come home to bury, somehow find their place.

Soon Alma is meeting with architects, and more characters join in the cumbia of story — the dueling Perla and Filomena, who have not spoken for 30 years but keep each other’s phone numbers just in case. It is a shadowy feud, of course: “Way back, Filomena destroyed Perla’s peace of mind. The story has been buried so deep, it should have rotted into oblivion. But like Lazarus in la Biblia, it keeps coming back to life.”

Indeed. Here comes the fabulous Bienvenida (it means “Welcome”), with her tragic history that Alma cannot resist. She was once, you see, the wife of the dictator, Trujillo, a loyal and devoted first lady who is cast aside when she is unable to produce an heir. Eventually, El Jefe falls for the charms of another woman — “jealous and possessive, with a will equal to his own” — and Bienvenida’s “death knell comes when this mistress gives birth to a son.”

Men and boys, too, join in with their dramas and secrets, pride and regrets. As voices and stories are set free, it feels like a carnival, a festival. Alma’s first-person voice is jostled. We do not care; we are already in the warm sun and the sea wind and the cooking smells and the music of the dance.

As the book accelerates, the characters seem to become their own novelists. They rewrite their lives, they revise their histories, they reinvent their ongoing myths even as Alma is planning to bury her own stories in their troubled, sacred earth. Only an alchemist as wise and sure as Alvarez could swirl the elements of folklore and the flavor of magical realism around her modern prose and make it all sing.

The camino that “The Cemetery of Untold Stories” travels — from Vermont to the Dominican Republic, from literary fame to chosen retreat, from modern American writing to a profoundly Latin American tone — is lively, joyous, full of modern details and old tall tales. Any reader with roots and ancestors in other lands lives in a multiple-narrative story, one that we try to share with everyone, though we have to translate it. Yet we also go back to the ancestral home, and find ourselves translating our Yanqui life as well. Which story is the truest?

This often witty, occasionally somber and elegiac novel begins with a simple exhortation, in English: “Tell me a story.” It ends on a melancholy and evocative note. Spoiler alert: Another single line, this time in Spanish after the last page concludes, announces, “Este cuento se ha acabado.” (This story has ended.) A definitive slam of the door.

THE CEMETERY OF UNTOLD STORIES | By Julia Alvarez | Algonquin | 256 pp. | $28

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COMMENTS

Book Review: The Alchemist By Paulo Coelho
In a world filled with countless adventure stories and tales of heroism, romance, and adventure, Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist" shines as a beacon of light, shining brightly above the rest, in this timeless adventure novel filled with profound and timeless wisdom. The Alchemist isn't just a novel, it's a spiritual awakening.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo
For anyone who reads not only to escape reality but also to understand reality, The Alchemist can offer the best of both worlds. The events of the novel sit just on the borderline of miraculous ...
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
3,052,052 ratings120,422 reviews. Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom, and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations. Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an ...
The Alchemist, Book Review: Paulo Coelho's beguiling novel
The Alchemist Book Review. The Alchemist ( O Alquimista) is a novel by Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho which was first published in 1988. Originally written in Portuguese, it has become an international bestseller (30 million + copies sold) and translated into some 70 languages. "The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and ...
THE ALCHEMIST
Coelho is a Brazilian writer with four books to his credit. Following Diary of a Magus (1992—not reviewed) came this book, published in Brazil in 1988: it's an interdenominational, transcendental, inspirational fable—in other words, a bag of wind. The story is about a youth empowered to follow his dream. Santiago is an Andalusian shepherd boy who learns through a dream of a treasure in the ...
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (Book Review)
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (Book Review) The Alchemist by the Brazilian author Paulo Coelho is one of the best-selling books in history. It was first published in 1988 in Portuguese and is now translated internationally into many languages. The novel is an allegory that follows a young Andalusian shepherd in his journey to the pyramids of ...
Book Review: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Book Review: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. "My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up at the moonless sky. "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 its dreams.".
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - review. 'This book is brilliantly written. It touches your heartabd teaches that every treasure lies in our own hearts'. The story begins with a young Andulasian ...
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: A Complete Book Review
Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist" stands as a beacon in the literary landscape, beckoning readers to embark on a transformative odyssey. In this comprehensive review, we delve deep into the layers of Coelho's narrative, unravelling the tapestry of philosophy, spirituality, and self-discovery that makes this timeless work a masterpiece.
Book Review: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: An Inspirational Story
Book Review: Overview of The Alchemist. The Alchemist chronicles Santiago's journeys, an Andalusian shepherd kid who longs to leave his little Spanish hamlet and explore the wonders of the world.
The Alchemist (novel)
The Alchemist (Portuguese: O Alquimista) is a novel by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho which was first published in 1988. Originally written in Portuguese, it became a widely translated international bestseller. The story follows the shepherd boy Santiago in his journey across North Africa to the pyramids of Egypt after he dreams of finding a treasure there.
The Alchemist: Study Guide
Overview. The Alchemist by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho was originally published in Portuguese in 1988 (as O Alquimista ), with the English translation released in 1993. The novel follows the journey of Santiago, a young Andalusian shepherd, as he embarks on a quest to discover his personal legend and fulfill his dreams.
The Alchemist Book Review: An Inspiring and Quick Read
An inspiring, quick read. The Alchemist is a short novel written by Paulo Coelho. The word count only adds up to about 45k. I literally reread the book in a weekend to write this review. The book was first published by a Brazilian publisher and then an editor from Harper Collins picked it up. Soon after, it became an International Bestseller ...
The Alchemist: Full Book Summary
The Alchemist Full Book Summary. A recurring dream troubles Santiago, a young and adventurous Andalusian shepherd. He has the dream every time he sleeps under a sycamore tree that grows out of the ruins of a church. During the dream, a child tells him to seek treasure at the foot of the Egyptian pyramids. Santiago consults a gypsy woman to ...
The Alchemist Book Summary and Review
The Alchemist may not be your regular YA fiction book, but it most definitely still deserves a place on your bookshelf! Publishers Weekly: The story has the comic charm, dramatic tension and psychological intensity of a fairy tale, but it's full of specific wisdom as well, about becoming self-empowered, overcoming depression, and believing in ...
The Alchemist Summary (Paul Coelho)
The Alchemist Summary. 1-Sentence-Summary: The Alchemist follows Andalusian shepherd boy Santiago as he chases his recurring dream of treasure near the Egyptian pyramids, on the way to which he meets mentors, falls in love, and, most importantly, discovers the meaning of life. Read in: 4 minutes.
The Alchemist
"The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho is a novel that tells the story of Santiago, a shepherd boy who sets out on a journey in search of his Personal Legend, or the purpose of his life. Along the ...
[Book Review] 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho
REVIEW. "There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.". One of the best works of Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist is not only philosophy, but a good philosophy at that. It tells us that life is not about the consequences; it is about the journey. It narrates the story of a voyage encompassing two ...
"The Alchemist" Book Summary: Themes, Symbolism, Review
Published by 04.03.2023. "The Alchemist" is a bestselling novel by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, first published in 1988. The book has sold over 150 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 80 languages. It tells the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who embarks on a journey to find a treasure he has dreamed about ...
The Alchemist
The Alchemist Review. A global phenomenon, The Alchemist , a graphic novel has been read and loved by over 80 million readers, topping bestseller lists in 74 countries worldwide.Now this magical fable is beautifully repackaged in an edition that lovers of Paulo Coelho will want to treasure forever. Dreams, symbols, signs, and adventure follow the reader like echoes of ancient wise voices in ...
Book Review : The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Overall,"The Alchemist"is a very exciting fiction novel and it deserves a space at everyone's bookshelf. Favorite quotes from the book. "One's Personal Legend (destiny) is what you have ...
The Alchemist book review
Key takeaways. Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist is one of the best-selling books in history. The protagonist in the book is Santiago, who is following his personal legend. The book is a must-read for people looking out for motivation and inspiration combined with an engaging plot. We hope this blog was insightful.
The Alchemist Book Review: Discovering Life's Treasures
The Alchemist Book Review. By Lily Posted on May 14, 2023 May 16, 2023 Updated on May 16, ... With a degree in English literature and years of experience in the publishing industry, Lily is well-versed in various genres of books. In her free time, she can be curled up with a good book and a cup of tea or explore new cultures and cuisines. Lily ...
Book Review: 'The Cemetery of Untold Stories,' by Julia Alvarez
As voices and stories are set free, it feels like a carnival, a festival. Alma's first-person voice is jostled. We do not care; we are already in the warm sun and the sea wind and the cooking ...