THE ALCHEMIST| PAULO COELHO

Dear Reader,
Are you a fan of philosophy? You know when everything you thought was true about the world is questioned. Then pick up this book and start reading it.

As kids, we learned to follow our dreams. You remember how adults around us talked of it like it’s a chase. The narrative here is also about dreams and destiny. It somehow leaves you thinking whatever you envision for yourself; you should work for it. It upholds the power of faith and spiritual knowledge in high regard.

WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT THE ALCHEMIST?

We know you have heard this enough. That almost everybody around you has mentioned this book at least once. (FYI, if nobody did, rethink your choices.) But seriously, why is this so good? Because it instills a longing in you to have belief. It is not one of those books that would preach about trusting the existence of the almighty. It will simply tell you a story – a narrative of an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who sets out on a quest to find a treasure. He often saw the same dream and woke up before reaching its end. He dreamt of standing around the Egyptian pyramids and being told about a hidden treasure.

But to go to Egypt, he would have to leave the comfort of his present life. He has a routine right now. He loves to travel, and as a shepherd, he does that. He meets new people, there is no condition for him to stay in one place for a long time, and he loves his sheep. However, Santiago found a greater calling. The narrative equates the hidden treasure as his destiny. Would he fulfill it then? How does he end up in a desert, and who is an Alchemist? Is there any way he would actualize his love story with Fatima? The book would answer these questions and endow you with lessons that stay a lifetime.

READ IT BECAUSE:

Santiago embarks on a journey driven by the legend. Paulo Coelho – the Brazilian author, focuses on the mysterious forces in nature. He talks of omens and one’s role in realizing their destiny. The shepherd meets an old king who leaves him with magic stones. They guide him to take a step further in his quest to find the treasure. However, there is only so much they can do. The universe does not hand the good things to Santiago on a platter. There are hardships and challenges to overcome. He feels disheartened and often lives on the edge of giving up. Hence, it turns out to be a narrative of all our lives.

One thing that makes it impossible to achieve something is the fear of failure. The Alchemist provides you with the push to get past that fear and take a step. The desert becomes his solace and a faithful companion. He starts communicating with it through the oasis. And, most importantly, he realizes that the divine is within. It is a journey we all partake in at some point. But in the end, the question remains: Is the Alchemist a genuine person? Or is he within?

There is this one line in the book:

People come in search of new things, but when they leave, they are basically the same people as when they arrived.

Coelho, The Alchemist

It makes us wonder. Is it true? Isn’t the desire to travel and explore substantially a hunger to transform oneself? It can be something to think about when you pick up this book or join the discussion here.

THOUGHTS WE HAD WHILE READING THE ALCHEMIST:

• Throughout the reading, did we even once believe there was a treasure?
• Are mysterious energies always at work, and can it be felt if we pay enough attention?
• Was Santiago’s journey a manifestation of events or magic?
• If there is such a thing as a legend, then what is the way to follow through?

P.S. – DID YOU KNOW: Paulo Coelho wrote The Alchemist in two weeks. Apparently, it was already there in his soul. All these thoughts, and we still have more to say about this book. Coelho himself never gave a complete justification for this novel. If you want to be a part of such conversations, then check out Empowr Club here: https://empowrclub.com/book-clubs/

Grab this book here: https://amzn.to/3emVlVp

If you do find this book interesting and want to know more about the Alchemists and magic, then do check out this informative podcast available on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1lRk39Tvi2P5Hb5V4xQMYA?si=63f2f90435d44694