The Alchemist Review

The Alchemist. Paulo Coelho. Brazil: Editora Rocco Ltd, 1988 The Alchemist is said to be one of the most important literary phenomenons of the 20th century, selling more than 30 million copies worldwide. The novel has been translated into over 67 languages and tops the all time best-seller list in 18 countries. The Alchemist has been called “A Fable about Following Your Dreams”. Fables are cautionary tales that always have a purpose. Paulo Coelho’s purpose for writing this novel is to show that each person has a personal legend to fulfill. Along the way, you connect with the Soul of the World, and learn the unspoken language that allows you to communicate with everything in the universe. Coelho also explores the idea that many of us never find or acknowledge our “Personal Calling” and, therefore, never even start the journey.
The Alchemist is the story of a young shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a buried treasure at the foot of the Pyramids. He starts off in search of great wealth, but throughout the novel, he realizes that the treasure is actually the journey itself. I thought The Alchemist was a very inspirational story with many important and memorable messages. Although it is not something that I normally would have read, I found the novel to be very enjoyable and a worthwhile experience.
Paulo Coelho achieved his purpose for writing The Alchemist. He showed that every individual has a personal legend to accomplish, but the self fulfillment of completing it does not come easy. As the Alchemist in the novel says, many of us never realize our personal calling, which does not mean you can not still be happy; you just have not lived your life out completely. For those of us who have realized what our personal legend is, Paulo Coelho shows that it is best for you to take the opportunity and live your life to the fullest. Fear of failure seems to be the greatest obstacle to happiness. He