Book Review~The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho

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Books are entertaining and then there are books that talk straight to your soul. Without any doubts, The Alchemist written by Paulo Coelho is one of the latter. I did not pick it up because it was hyped, or because it was literary, I picked it because life at that point was an unanswered question. A friend once told me, whenever you are lost read The Alchemist. It will not answer the questions, but it will help you to discover the questions. I felt that, and one lazy weekend I read the first page--and I did not stop until the last word.

I was in a dilemma. Career, love and purpose, all these things were hefty puzzles that I did not fit easily. I was feeling the need of something that could redefine my perspective on life in the mess of overthinking and confusion. That is the point when The Alchemist appeared in my life. Its fame in spiritual awakening, straightforward storytelling, and absolute truths gave me an impression that it could be the right kind of company to my soul-searching.

And, oh! what a friend it proved.

The Alchemist is a story of a young Andalusian shepherd Santiago, who goes in search of a treasure he had seen in a dream that kept coming back to him. But it is not only a story about lost treasure or pyramids in the wrong place. It is a highly symbolic travel in fate, fear and the never ending chase of your Personal Legend- a term coined by Coelho as your true calling in life.

The point of going to places is not what makes the journey of Santiago so spellbinding, but what he is taught. Each of the characters he encounters, the King of Salem, the Englishman, the alchemist himself, all of them are a truth, a choice or a fear that we all know. They do not simply exist so that they can guide him but also to remind us of our hesitations and dreams.

One quote in the book says, “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” The first time I read that line, I rolled my eyes a little. It felt too dreamy, too optimistic. But as Santiago’s story unfolded, it began to make more sense. The line isn’t about wishful thinking—it’s about intentional action. Santiago doesn’t just sit around waiting for his treasure. He gets robbed, betrayed, humbled, and tested—but he keeps going. That, to me, was magic. The Alchemist doesn’t promise easy miracles; it emphasizes effort, intuition, and belief.

I recall reading and thinking about my personal life. How many times had I lost my “Personal Legend” since the path had become too difficult or uncertain? How many dreams had I shoved in drawers because it was logical that I needed to be realistic? Santiago made me understand that fear, more specifically, fear of failure is the true desert that many of us have to traverse

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The simplicity of the book is one of the most remarkable characteristics. Coelho does not resort to sophisticated expressions and convoluted stories. He writes as though he speaks to your heart and not to your head. and in that plainness there is great beauty. The desert turns into the symbol of loneliness. The wind tells. the soul of the world is singing gently in the background, and your invitation is to hear it not so much as the world as as yourself.

I believe that The Alchemist has reached millions due to that. It is not preaching and dictating. It delicately implies. It pushes you, lovingly, to turn inward and say: Well, what do I really want? How much will I do to get it?”

We should not ignore Fatima-the girl that Santiago encounters in the oasis. They fall in love at first sight and deeply, and yet, Santiago does not remain. I was a bit broken hearted by that. Doesn't love turn out to be the endgame? But Coelho demonstrates to us that real love does not keep you back, it makes you move. Fatima does not enslave Santiago in her love; she is the wind under his wings.

That struck me home. I had been in a relationship where love was a compromise but not a healthy one but a soul-killing one. Reading about Fatima made me realize that love with no faults does not require you to sacrifice your dreams. It follows you when pursuing them.

I won’t spoil the final twist for those who haven’t read it, but I will say this—The Alchemist ends with a profound irony. Santiago’s treasure is not quite where he expects it, but everything he learns along the way becomes the real gold. And isn’t that just like life? We often search far and wide for meaning, only to discover it was within us all along.

That ending left me sitting still for a long time. I closed the book, stared at the ceiling, and just breathed. It didn’t feel like I had read a story—it felt like I had lived through something. Santiago’s victory became my inspiration. If he could face deserts, omens, and doubts, why couldn’t I?

When you have felt lost in life, when you have ever had a dream that frightened you more than inspired you, when you have ever needed a sign to make that jump, then The Alchemist is the sign you are looking for. She is a loving, knowing sister who tells you your life is not accidental, that what you want is important and that you should listen to your heart.

Not every one can read it. Others would think it is so spiritual or abstract. However, when you read it with an open heart, it will seed your soul. Seeds, which with time might blossom into something very beautiful.

The Alchemist was a revolution within me. It did not fix everything. It did not project my future. It brought me clarity, courage and curiosity. And we have only to start sometimes, with that.

Therefore, when you need something, when you are in search of something bigger that you cannot explain, or even when you need a good book to read on a weekend, use The Alchemist to lead you where you are supposed to be. They are not the maps or the directions, but the sweet murmurings that lingers long after the last page is read.

After all, as Coelho says, “Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.”

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The last three images was gotten from web:

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