The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream

Name: The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream
SKU: 29355
Availability: InStock

4.6 | 149,282 ratings

Price: 14.95

Last update: 06-14-2024

Top reviews from the United States

Susan

A timeless classic of self-discovery!

Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2024

A Fable About Following Your Dream

Twenty-five years ago, Paulo Coelho's 'The Alchemist' first enchanted readers around the world. Since then, this timeless fable has sold over 150 million copies, inspiring countless individuals to embrace their dreams and follow their hearts.

A Journey of Self-Discovery

'The Alchemist' follows the story of Santiago, a young shepherd from Andalusia, who embarks on an extraordinary journey to the distant pyramids of Egypt. Guided by a wise old king, Santiago learns that his destiny lies not in the familiar paths of his past but in the unknown realms of his dreams.

Along the way, Santiago encounters an alchemist, who teaches him the secrets of turning the base metal of his life into the gold of his potential. He learns the importance of listening to his heart, embracing change, and never giving up on his aspirations.

The Power of Personal Legend

The central theme of 'The Alchemist' is the pursuit of one's 'Personal Legend.' This is the unique purpose for which each individual is born, the reason they exist. Santiago's Personal Legend is to reach the pyramids, but along his journey, he discovers that the path itself is as important as the destination.

The pursuit of our Personal Legends often requires us to overcome obstacles, face setbacks, and leave behind the familiar. 'The Alchemist' reminds us that these challenges are essential for our growth and that the rewards we gain from following our dreams far outweigh the risks involved.

The Importance of Following Your Heart

One of the most profound lessons Santiago learns is the importance of following his heart. Despite the fears and doubts that may arise, he trusts his intuition and takes the path that feels right to him.

'The Alchemist' teaches us that our hearts hold the key to our true nature and our purpose in life. When we listen to our hearts, we are guided to the people, places, and experiences that align with our destiny.

A Timeless Classic

'The Alchemist' has become a beloved classic for a reason. Its timeless message of self-discovery, the pursuit of dreams, and the power of following your heart resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds.

As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this literary masterpiece, let us remember the lessons it teaches. May we all embrace our Personal Legends, trust our hearts, and embark on extraordinary journeys of our own.

In the words of Coelho, 'And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.'

Patrick F

Approachable Wisdom and Beautiful, Simple Prose

Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2020

A simple coming-of-age parable which, by means of its straightforward style, achieves profundity. This book has been touted for years. Several friends have declared this their favorite book; a co-worker recommended that I read it; online book forums can’t get through a recommendations thread without The Alchemist among the top responses. I figured it would be difficult for the book to make a true impression because of how highly touted it has been. I was wrong. I am impressed.

This book drips with wisdom and yet is so unassuming that the reader is welcomed to embrace what rings true and shrug off the rest. The Alchemist tells the story of a shepherd who leaves his flocks to follow a dream of great treasure at the pyramids in Egypt. In his wanderings, he remains open to whatever experience comes his way. He meets a cast of fascinating, fun characters who share their wisdom, experience, and misadventures with the young shepherd.

The writing style is simple, the translation beautiful. The prose is poetic yet approachable. As the story progresses, a reader can’t help but listen to the simple wisdom on offer. I enjoyed nearly every page of this book and was satisfied with the story’s full-circle conclusion. I felt that I learned and grew alongside this peripatetic shepherd; I maintained an open heart ready to welcome all wisdom, even from unexpected people and places.

A few tidbits that particularly stood out:
-“I couldn’t have found God in the seminary, he thought, as he looked at the sunrise” (13). A perfect example of the sort of wisdom this book offers. This rings true for me as I have a graduate degree from a seminary and a few weeks of wilderness backpacking under my belt. The sunset and a rock to sit on after a long day of schlepping have a deep theology on offer which couldn’t be contained in the many books I’ve read on the topic of spirituality.
-“We are afraid of losing what we have, whether it’s our life or our possessions and property. But this fewar evaporates when we understand that our life stories and the history of the world were written by the same hand” (79). As an agnostic with an education and history of biblical studies, this sort of welcoming, simple wisdom is encouraging. Coelho doesn’t ask you to convert to his philosophy, but simply to engage.
-“You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it’s better to listen to what it has to say. That way you’ll never have to fear an unanticipated blow” (134). This is a main theme: listen to your heart, keep your eyes open to the world, remain present in your experiences, welcome omens as guideposts, avoid artificial absolutes. The shepherd in this passage goes on to confess that his heart is afraid of suffering. His friend the alchemist responds, “Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity” (134). What a beautiful message that strikes me at a perfect time. I am hoping to pursue my heart’s dream of writing. “From then on, the boy understood his heart. He asked it, please, never to stop speaking to him. He asked that, when he wandered far from his dreams, his heart press him and sound the alarm. The boy swore that , every time he heard the alarm, he would heed its message” (136).
-“When we strive to become better an we are, everything around us becomes better, too...when we love, we always strive to become better than we are” (155).

This is a beautiful book that I will treasure, recommend, and re-read.

A

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