The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Alchemist
Book Review: A beautiful story
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a beautiful story about a young lad from Spain embarking on the journey of life. After completing his formal education, he chooses to become a shepherd in order to help see more of the world. He learns the ways of shepherds and sheep for several years then has a dream about treasure near the pyramids in Egypt. He sells his sheep and travels to Africa where, upon arrival, all his money is stolen by a thief. Back to nothing, he doesn't lose heart but is industrious and trades cleaning services at a crystal shop for lunch. The shop owner offers him a job and he helps grow the business over the next year.
At the end of the year, he has enough money to return to his home and purchase twice as many sheep if he so desired. This however, is not his calling or "Personal Legend" as the book describes it. He instead hooks up with a caravan traveling to Egypt. On the journey, the caravan stops at a town in an oasis. While there, the boy sees an omen warning the town of an attack.
An alchemist subsequently approaches the boy and plays teacher and sage to the boy in his quest to find the treasure. The alchemist helps him see beyond the physical desires of man and go much deeper to the elemental core of man's true desire. He helps him see that sometimes choices involve taking a chance. Though one's current position in life may be comfortable and relatively safe, it can fall short of his or her dreams and Personal Legend.
The boy eventually arrives at the pyramids where he begins digging and is promptly robbed in the process. The evil doers ask him why he's digging and he tells them he had a dream that treasure was buried there. One of them says he also had a dream that treasure was buried under a tree at an abandoned church in Spain but that traveling across the desert would be too long and foolish to follow such a lark. The boy recognizes the church's description and returns to ultimately claim the treasure. His great gain was not in finding the treasure but in developing character and experience through the journey he embarked upon.
Religious elements from the major world religions are woven throughout the story. The boy had training in Christian studies so this is his base but he then works with and interacts with many Muslims so learns about their faith. Also ever present are the philosophies and teachings of Buddhism which seems to be the predominant current running through the book.
Even setting aside the religious elements, the story is a great lesson in seeking out goals and dreams and not settling for the status quo.
Book Review: A classic
Summary: 5 Stars
This classic, beautiful tale about following one's quest and the power of the "Personal Legend", as the author calls it, was an easy and enjoyable read. I found the story of Santiago's (the main character's) spiritual travels through Spain very inspiring.
It reconnected me with the magic and adventure of going for my dreams. Coelho's wise and direct words, reminded me of the book Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: The 3 Simple Ideas That Will Instantaneously Transform Your Life and Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenmentby Ariel and Shya Kane. I came across them in my own search and their books have touched my heart deeply and have also been catalysts for a profound shift in the way I experience life these days: easy, enjoyable and full of miracles!
I recommend no matter at which point in life you are at, to check out Coehlo's and the Kane's books which are great tools for well-being and modern day enlightenment.
Share them with your friends and family!!
Book Review: A classic Travel Tale
Summary: 5 Stars
The Alchemist -Paulo Coelho 167 pgs.
Coelho's classic tale ranks as one of the best travel books of all time. As with any other great travel story the voyage is not simply a physical one but a personal and spiritual one as well. The book follows the wanderings of the young Spaniard Santiago. Struck by the desire to see the world at a young age, Santiago leaves his family to take up the roaming life of a shepherd. After exploring the rolling hills and pastures of southern Spain for two years a series of strange events lead Santiago to sell his flock and set out in quest of his own personal legend. The resulting journey is a classic description of one persons attempt to find the meaning of his life.
Coelho's writing is heavily influenced by his own personal understanding of religion and spirituality. Often such authors find a narrower audience for their work because of this, but this is not the case with Coelho. His words take on a sense of universalism that seems to transcend any one set of beliefs. This is due to the mystical quality that permeates his writings and thoughts, the belief that the world and everything in it and outside of it share connections that at first glance are hard to discern.
His words are also very personal in nature and one often has the impression that Coelho's characters share something with oneself. To be able to write about something that everyone already knows but to present it in a new form is the key to being a great writer and this is what Coelho does so well. He taps into some general truths or human universals that everyone can relate to, something that one has felt but not known how to organize in any systematic fashion. In this way his stories are not only about the characters contained on the pages, but also about the reader who is holding the book.
It is not the most profound book you will ever read but it will make you take a step back and view your life a bit differently. Sometimes the most important things are the simplest ones.
Book Review: A compelling fable that goes a bit too far.
Summary: 3 Stars
I wish there were a "3.5 star" rating because I found the book more enjoyable than average, but upon relfection, think the message somewhat shallow. The "follow your heart" theme is wonderfully woven throughout the plot, and I enjoyed it immensely. However, I was disappointed by the "over-the-top" culmination of the boy's journey which offers little practical advice for us mere mortals in search of our dreams.
A wonderful read of limited practical value.
Book Review: A delicious book that enlightens the soul and awakes the spirit
Summary: 5 Stars
The alchemist is a story of one's soul reaching out to the depths of our heart and mind and awakening the inner spirit of our dreams. In this delicious book, Paulo transports us into a world so many of us have lost or left behind for the ideals of modern society, a world where the whole of the universe conspires to make our dreams come true. You do not have to believe in dreams, lost or still existing, to like this book. In fact, you don't have to believe in anything and yet Paulo weaves this tale and pulls you in it making you the main character. You cannot escape the beauty and you cannot escape your dreams that are knocking at the door of your heart whispering, calling, and yearning to be released into a friendly world of a friendly universe. Once you read the alchemist you will find that life takes on a new meaning and that all of a sudden the universe, a new universe bursting out of the pages of this book, conspires in your favor to make your very own dreams come true. You will feel the enlightenment of your soul brightening your very spirit and becoming a beacon of light to your own path. If you open yourself to the transformation that this book will undoubtedly release, you will find your very heart releasing the beauty of the whole universe.