The Alchemist is a fantasy fiction novel written by brazilian author Paulo Coelho in 1988. It is set in the North of Africa with the boy, Santiago, travelling from Spain all the way to Egypt to achieve his Personal Legend, a destiny made for him since he was born. The book is a bit short, being at about 140 pages long.
It starts with introducing Santiago as a shepherd, someone who takes care of their sheep like family. He leads a simple, peaceful life, wanting to be a successful shepherd. All until he has a dream about treasure hidden at the foot of the Egyptian pyramids. This dream, along with meeting the King from Salem, Melchizedek, sets him off on a journey full of symbolic lessons and self-discovery.
As Santiago travels through deserts, bustling markets, and quiet oases, he encounters many characters, each representing different aspects of life’s journey. From a crystal merchant clinging to fear, to an Englishman obsessed with books and finally the wise alchemist himself. Every one of these people Santiago meets teaches him something about courage, listening to the soul of the world and the importance of pursuing one's dreams despite obstacles.
For example, the Englishman represents the academic way to understand the world. He prefers theory and study over experience. His presence in the story highlights the contrast between knowledge gained from books and wisdom gained from living. While the Englishman is searching for the knowledge of the universe in books, Santiago learns that real understanding comes from observing the world and listening to one’s heart.
The writing style shown in it is clear and poetic, almost like a bedtime story or a dream. Coelho uses simple language to express many of his ideas, which makes the book easy to read and understand. Settings like the desert are described with a sense of wonder and spirituality, making the landscape feel alive and symbolic. What also makes The Alchemist stand out is its timeless message shown in the short story, one rich in metaphor and meaning. Coelho writes in a way that feels both ancient and modern, creating a tale that reads like a fable but touches on very real human emotions and questions.
Overall, while the Alchemist is a story of treasure hunting, it's also about discovering the treasure within oneself. It encourages readers to trust the journey they take, even when the path isn’t clear, and reminds us that our deepest desires are not random, they are whispers from the soul.
It starts with introducing Santiago as a shepherd, someone who takes care of their sheep like family. He leads a simple, peaceful life, wanting to be a successful shepherd. All until he has a dream about treasure hidden at the foot of the Egyptian pyramids. This dream, along with meeting the King from Salem, Melchizedek, sets him off on a journey full of symbolic lessons and self-discovery.
As Santiago travels through deserts, bustling markets, and quiet oases, he encounters many characters, each representing different aspects of life’s journey. From a crystal merchant clinging to fear, to an Englishman obsessed with books and finally the wise alchemist himself. Every one of these people Santiago meets teaches him something about courage, listening to the soul of the world and the importance of pursuing one's dreams despite obstacles.
For example, the Englishman represents the academic way to understand the world. He prefers theory and study over experience. His presence in the story highlights the contrast between knowledge gained from books and wisdom gained from living. While the Englishman is searching for the knowledge of the universe in books, Santiago learns that real understanding comes from observing the world and listening to one’s heart.
The writing style shown in it is clear and poetic, almost like a bedtime story or a dream. Coelho uses simple language to express many of his ideas, which makes the book easy to read and understand. Settings like the desert are described with a sense of wonder and spirituality, making the landscape feel alive and symbolic. What also makes The Alchemist stand out is its timeless message shown in the short story, one rich in metaphor and meaning. Coelho writes in a way that feels both ancient and modern, creating a tale that reads like a fable but touches on very real human emotions and questions.
Overall, while the Alchemist is a story of treasure hunting, it's also about discovering the treasure within oneself. It encourages readers to trust the journey they take, even when the path isn’t clear, and reminds us that our deepest desires are not random, they are whispers from the soul.