The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho

Short summary of the book: A shepherd goes on a journey to follow his dreams. This journey travels from Spain to Egypt, where he encounters loss, love, disappointment and hope.

I'm not doing any sort of review that explains the whole premise and plot etc; I'm just voicing my opinions. For this, I might as well add that there might be spoilers.

Beautiful. Absolutely, irrevocably and inexplicably beautiful.

I will say this: I bought this book because it was on an online book store, and randomly at the top of the list as I was scrolling. I saw that it sold over 65 Million copies, and read the blurb. “What in the world is so beautiful about this book?” I asked myself, and when I saw that many celebrities and even politicians had read the book, I gave it a go.

The book was delivered to my door, wrapped tidily. I thought it looked beautiful, and judging from the width, a short read. So I dove into it one sleepless night and I swear, I couldn’t put it down ever since.

I knew I was reading too much for such a short story, but it was so immersive, so encapsulating, I forgot about time as I read on. I decided to pace myself and grant half an hour per day, but I was too greedy, and finished it off by the next day.

This book speaks to you. It speaks to you, not in what’s written, but the deeper meaning. Somehow, Paulo Coelho knew exactly how we could link ourselves and our personal struggles to a book, and how we too have dreams that we sometimes put on hold because of our busy lives.

The shepherd boy had a dream about going to the pyramids in Egypt to find treasure. And so he did, after numerous encounters with influential people.

What Paulo did was perceive religion and spirituality in ways that can be translated to all religions, to all beliefs, because it holds onto the same structure – faith. The faith of destiny, the faith of omens, the faith that the world conspires in order for you to follow your dreams. And that was utterly liberating. As someone who doesn’t deeply dwell in faith and religion, I found the book to speak to me differently. Somehow, it reminded me of my struggles, and how far I’ve come to reach where I am now.

The shepherd’s journey could be everyone’s journey. His struggle, his fallbacks, it all could translate to our own. I think the beauty in his struggle, from committing to going after a dream that might not even be true, to being robbed and hopeless, to regaining faith and persevering, the rise and fall of life, he finally wound up where he wanted to be. In this way – it is inspiring. But everyone could look at it in different perspectives. One friend told me that he related to the crystal merchant and felt that change was something fearful. Another friend told me she related to the journey the boy took to her own life’s ups and downs.

Looking at the book now, I have a heavy heart. I might read it ten times over; I might pass it on, or keep it to myself as a reminder to keep the faith. I am so deeply attached to the story – something I have never felt in all my life towards books. There is a source of light in this book that can reach your heart and keep it there. It makes you appreciate and be more aware. The shepherd encountered many people, all whom taught him something he could carry on in his life regardless of how short-lived their relationships were. Love was shown in its purest forms, and I’m not a romantic, but I truly supported the way it was prevailed.

I am sad to finish this book. I am sad, because I didn’t want it to end. A boy, remaining nameless for almost the entirety of the book was strange to me. Maybe it was because we couldn’t attach an identity towards the boy if he remains unnamed. In that way, we see more of ourselves.

As I’ve said before, this book spoke to me. Some of the quotes were

I’m afraid if my dream is realized, I’ll have no reason to go on living.

When you possess great treasures within you, and try to tell others of them, seldom are you believed

I’m sure you completely relate to those two quotes as well. I was so moved by these lines, I experienced feelings I never thought I would towards a book. A mere book could make me giggle, hopeful, gasp and feel content.

Some books are meant to be read, loved and passed on. The Alchemist is one of those books. And that is true.

100/10. You will not regret it.