The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - Learning From Literature

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is an philosophical adventure fiction novel published in 1988.

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General Summary (No Spoilers!)

Santiago is a shepherd in the region of Andalusia, Spain, taking pride in his simple life and the connection he feels with his flock of sheep. Raised by his parents to become a priest, Santiago surprises them by choosing a life of travel and adventure. His decision to become a shepherd stems from his desire for freedom and a connection with the natural world.

While sleeping in an abandoned church, Santiago has a recurring dream about treasure hidden at the Egyptian pyramids. He decides to pursue his vision and sets out on a journey that takes him far beyond the familiar landscapes of Andalusia. Along the way, he encounters a series of characters who play significant roles in shaping his understanding of life, destiny, and the universe. The rest of the novel follows Santiago as he not only makes a physical journey, but a quest for self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment.

Background

Paulo Coelho’s venture with The Alchemist reflects the same themes he explores in the novel.

Coelho wrote the book in only two weeks because, as he said, “it was already written in my soul.” After initially only selling 900 copies in his home country of Brazil, Coelho embarked on a 40-day expedition to the Mojave Desert, mirroring the spiritual journey of Santiago. Determined upon his return, he knocked on doors until he found another publisher willing to take a chance.

This second round proved more successful, with thousands of copies sold. A breakthrough occurred eight months later when an American tourist, deeply moved by the book, wanted to help find an English publisher for a translation. Within six years, the novel was published in over 119 countries and spent over 300 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list. By 2002, a Portuguese literary journal declared it the bestselling book in the history of the language.

Currently, The Alchemist has sold over 65 million copies and has been translated into 80 languages, the world record for a living author.

Themes

Pursuit Of Your Destiny / Dreams

Santiago’s main goal is to follow his “Personal Legend”, showcasing that there is inherent wisdom gained through the journey itself

The Interconnectedness of All Things

Described as a “Universal Language,” Santiago taps into the transformative perspective that comes from embracing interconnectedness. One of the most famous quotes from the book is, “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

The Danger of Fear

Evident in characters like the crystal merchant, fear is portrayed as an obstacle to a happy and fulfilled life. Santiago’s fearless pursuit of dreams contrasts this, demonstrating that in following your purpose, fear is inconsequential (even of death)

Review

The Alchemist conveys transformative themes through a straightforward narrative set in the far past, particularly unique for being a comparatively modern novel. Coelho’s writing style, characterized by simplicity and profound insights, resonates with many readers. Having read several other books by him, I agree that his approach consistently offers modern wisdom within stories that seem almost ageless.

Personal Thoughts And Recommendations

Since the day I finished The Alchemist, I said it was my favorite book ever. Even now, hundreds of books later, it is still in my top ten. My favorite elements of the novel are the applicability of the themes and the simple but captivating adventure plot.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a spiritual coming-of-age story. For example, if you like Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse or The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, you should read The Alchemist.

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