The book “The Alchemist” is written by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho and has been translated into more than fifty-nine languages. Paulo Coelho is a storyteller with the power to inspire nations and change people’s lives.
The theme of the book is realizing one’s destiny or purpose in life.
This short fiction novel is about a boy from Spain named Santiago who loves to travel and so becomes a shepherd to visit the countryside.
During his travels, he dreams of the same treasures that are under the pyramid of Egypt. To interpret this dream, he goes to the city of Tarifa where he meets a King who offers him two magic stones, Urim and Thummim, which will help him understand the omens of nature and advises him on how to begin his journey to pursue his treasure.
He then embarks on a long journey, crossing the Mediterranean and the Sahara desert to reach Egypt. During this journey, he gains many unique and thrilling experiences and learns the works of the Alchemist, such as the language of the desert, wind, sun, and the soul of the world, making him a real Alchemist.
Along the way, he meets a number of people, including a crystal man who helps him in difficult situations in a foreign country, an English man who tells him about the Alchemist who can turn metal into gold, and a beautiful girl named Fatima whom he marries. Despite the hardships and challenges he faces, he never gives up. In the end, he learns many things.
Does he find the treasure in Egypt?
The Alchemist is one of the most enchanting novels I have ever read. It amazed me with its beautiful storytelling. This book can easily dispel all negativity and lead one toward a positive life. It inspires the importance of carrying dreams and pursuing them by facing challenges and hardships.
I love how it has developed the most impeccable quotes on every single page.
My favorite quotes from the novel are:
1. “When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it.”
2. “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”
3. “The world we are alive in will be either better or worse, depending on whether we become better or worse.”
Overall, The Alchemist is a fantastic book and I recommend it to every young reader and old person to take a look at this short life-changing novel.
By Mahnoor Javed (intermediate student also learning English in SIT Hub)