The Alchemist

The Alchemist is an insightful fable on how an Andalusian boy, Santiago, discovers himself. The book teaches you the art of listening to your heart and how to identify the omens peppered down your path of life. An international bestseller that has been reproduced in more than 67 languages, this is a must have for every bookshelf.

Summary of The Alchemist

Written as a fable, The Alchemist is the philosophical and adventurous tale of Santiago, a simple Andulasian shepherd boy. Urged by a recurring dream to follow his true calling, Santiago starts off on a magical journey, drawing the readers along with him. The book has a simple and powerful message that is summed up in its central theme – 'When you want something, the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.'

Santiago sets out to travel the world in search of an invaluable treasure, and the story of all the treasures that Santiago finds along his way enlightens us about the wisdom of listening to our hearts and recognizing the omens that are strewn along life's path and more than that, our dreams.

The main theme of the book is about finding one's destiny and is more of a self-help book rather than just literature. The Alchemist is a book that has changed the lives of many forever. The book established itself as a modern classic when its sales surpassed more than 1.5 million around the world.

The Alchemist sold 65 million books, as per a report released by the publisher, Harper Collins. It was originally written in Portuguese in the year 1988. It has been reproduced in around 67 different languages and made Coelho the world's most translated author among the ones who are alive. The book has been highly praised by critics and has made it to the bestsellers list in a total of 74 countries.

About The Author

Paulo Coelho's manner of writing is very spiritual and enlightening. His words speak volumes of philosophical knowledge. Coelho has the ability to transport readers to a different world, one that they have never seen before.

Some of the other books that Coelho is famous for include:

Brida

The Witch of Portobello

Eleven Minutes

Life

The Valkyries

Veronika Decides to Die

The Zahir

Paulo Coelho was born in Brazil and attended a Jesuit school. He was admitted to a mental institution at the age of 16 as he did not oblige with the traditional ways. He joined Law School upon the compulsion of his parents but dropped out of it and led a hippie's life, immersed in the drug culture of the 60s. He also took up the practice of occultism and Satanism. He worked as an actor, journalist, theatre director and songwriter before he moved on to be a writer, which was his dream.