Book Review: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Published July 17, 2007
The Alchemist is a wonderfully simple story of a young shepherd who follows his dreams of treasure and encounters many experiences and people, learning wisdom and life lessons along the way. Paulo Coelho has skillfully woven many bits of truth and wisdom about life into this masterpiece, and it is a true delight to read. Just like it teaches, it is not the destination, but the journey with this book, that counts.
It doesn't matter if you're searching for buried treasure, or for love, or for the secret of turning lead into gold. It doesn't matter if you die trying, never reaching your goal. It doesn't matter if you don't find what you're looking for, once you get there. What matters is what you've brought with you on the way, and what you've learned along the way. The people you meet, the hardships and heartaches you go through, the lessons your experiences has taught you.
The Alchemist tells you how to turn lead into gold. It tells you of the wonder and the uncertainty of change and evolution, the secret of enjoying the beauty of life without becoming hardened by the harshness of reality, the art of living in the moment without worrying about the past or the future, and most importantly, the ultimate secret of the universe, that we are all interconnected. We are all one.
It has been compared to Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince and Herman Hesse's Siddhartha. I have read both, and while they both have their own beauty and teach their own wisdom, The Alchemist touches people in its own quiet way.
What I like about the book is that it teaches you to live your life well. Live every moment in the moment. Let go of anything that is an encumberance. Follow your dreams. Have fun and enjoy everything life has to offer, but don't forget the things that really matter. Let go of things that are not within your control. Live your life and let others live theirs, what works for you may not work for them and vice versa. There is something to be learnt in everything.
There is so much wisdom contained within the pages of this little book, but for me, the most important one, is to enjoy every minute of your life. We all have goals in life, we have dreams to fulfill and successes to achieve. We need to remember to stop once in a while, and smell each rose and count each star in the sky. It is not the destination, but the journey, that counts.
An avid reader with strong ideas and opinions, Betty Wong enjoys sharing her thoughts with anyone who cares to ponder with her about what the world is about. She is passionate about art, music, and literature and spends most of her time immersed in one or the other. She spends her free time fishing with her parents, songwriting with her partner, socializing with her friends, and playing with her puppy, Baby. Visit her blog to find out more.
- Book Review: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
- Published: July 17, 2007
- Type: Review
- Section: Books
- Filed Under: Books: Adventure, Books: Literature and Fiction, Books: Philosophy, Books: Spirituality, Books: Travel
- Writer: Betty Wong
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Hello, Betty Wong!
I'm also a big Paulo Coelho fan and I don't know if you heard about his blog I've started as a fan and now I'm collaborating with him and thought that you would like to enter his universe. Check the blog, if you want, or subscribe to his newsletter.
You'll see a community of warriors of light sharing ideas, dreams and most importantly following their personal legend.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"The search for happiness is more important than the need for pain."
See u there and have great day!
Aart
Anna: Thanks! I have never read any of his other books, but I think I will now. I read this book expecting to come out of it wondering what all the hype was, but I ended up loving it. =)
Aart: It sounds interesting, thanks! I'll check it out.
Hi Betty!
Paulo has found your blog and really liked your post.
We will post it this week in his blog
Thanks for sharing!
Suphi
Hi Suphi!
Thank you so much! I'm so thrilled that Paulo liked my post, and that you actually posted it up on his blog.
Thanks again!
From reading this passage I began to like this book. It basicly tells us to follow our dreams no matter what happens. And don't let no-one tell you that you can't do it. In reality they are just haten on you. Think postive and keep your head up.
Hello Paulo
"I liked your book.But i did not get any good reviews about it"
FUCK YOU
WOW IT IS A AUSOME BOOK. I LIKED IT VERY MUCH.
i am sabin allover from a small and poor country,nepal. I read this book and also the comment published here.Really, it is one of my best book. I got a chance to read a hindi version of this book.
i also learnt many things from this book. Its the real thing that we just live our life for a living not doing the things that we dream of.A shepard boy lives his own life and enjoys the natural recreation.
we should also think that there is such a power beyonds science and technology where we can get intouch to the world of wisdom i.e nature. yes, the only thing i want to say that nature is the most powerful thing in this world. And if we are able to understand the natural feeling that what our mind and heart talks,then we will be able to understand all the wisdom. the natural things always guides us , but only a thing is to understand is that we have to be able to identify the sings that the nature teaches us. just i want to say that nature always indicates what is going to happen.for eg: before coming big stroms and volcanic eruptions,the animals produces differebt type of sound. nature creates an environment between animal and indicates about the danger.similarly if we are able to understand the language what the plants ,animals, wind, water says then we can be awared about many things. we can understand the language of nature but only a thing is that we have to understand the language of nature. for this we have to be like a shepard boy.
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Oooh, I've read this book years ago and immediately loved it. It's so profound yet simple. Needless to say, Paulo Coelho had become one of my favorite authors. It's true and I agree with you: We should all live our life as if it's our last. Cliche but then again, if you just coast through life thinking too much of the future or thinking too much of nothing, then what's the point? Nice! =)