Paulo Coelho’s

The Alchemist

There is a saying that the shorter the book, the better the writer. It is quite a feat when a writer can successfully deliver his thoughts using as few words as possible. The Alchemist is such an example. 

Paulo Coelho wrote his masterpiece in less than 200 pages. It cannot be pointed out precisely what he did in those pages. There is life, dream, ambition, sacrifice, treasure, love, hardships, motivations; all combined in the right amount to create this magical piece of literature. From my point of view, Coelho is no less than an alchemist himself, to be able to conjure up such a work of art.
Set in pre-modern times, The Alchemist is the story of an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago. It is a parable depicting the journey that Santiago undertakes after learning about the meaning of a recurring dream. He sets out on a voyage to Egypt where there is a treasure meant only for him. He meets a man who tells him how the world wants him to go after his treasure: “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
 Santiago was not always a shepherd. He chose that type of work from his desire to see the world with his own eyes. He left the church and took up the best profession he could find that would fulfill his wish. What the author tries to show is that it is not just desire that drives a man to his destiny, but also guts. One must have the guts to take the steps towards one’s destiny.
The journey comes with its ups and downs. It gives rise to Santiago’s personal woes between travelling all the way to Egypt to find a treasure at the pyramids, and settling along the way for the treasures he has already earned. Through his journey, Santiago finds friends, wealth, love _ which he could easily take for being the real treasure. He even meets an alchemist. But one cannot find a treasure even at home, if he does not look for it wholeheartedly.
The Alchemist is a great book worth re-reading. It drives the reader through various feelings. The story motivates one to search for the treasure meant for him, and at the same time, reminding him how his treasure can remain in plain sight, but still be imperceptible. 

Paulo Coelhos

The Alchemist

There is a saying that the shorter the book, the better the writer. It is quite a feat when a writer can successfully deliver his thoughts using as few words as possible. The Alchemist is such an example. Paulo Coelho wrote his masterpiece in less than 200 pages. It cannot be pointed out precisely what he did in those pages. There is life, dream, ambition, sacrifice, treasure, love, hardships, motivations; all combined in the right amount to create this magical piece of literature. From my point of view, Coelho is no less than an alchemist himself, to be able to conjure up such a work of art. Set in pre-modern times, The Alchemist is the story of an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago. It is a parable depicting the journey that Santiago undertakes after learning about the meaning of a recurring dream. He sets out on a voyage to Egypt where there is a treasure meant only for him. He meets a man who tells him how the world wants him to go after his treasure: And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. Santiago was not always a shepherd. He chose that type of work from his desire to see the world with his own eyes. He left the church and took up the best profession he could find that would fulfill his wish. What the author tries to show is that it is not just desire that drives a man to his destiny, but also guts. One must have the guts to take the steps towards ones destiny. The journey comes with its ups and downs. It gives rise to Santiagos personal woes between travelling all the way to Egypt to find a treasure at the pyramids, and settling along the way for the treasures he has already earned. Through his journey, Santiago finds friends, wealth, love _ which he could easily take for being the real treasure. He even meets an alchemist. But one cannot find a treasure even at home, if he does not look for it wholeheartedly. The Alchemist is a great book worth re-reading. It drives the reader through various feelings. The story motivates one to search for the treasure meant for him, and at the same time, reminding him how his treasure can remain in plain sight, but still be imperceptible.