Brazilian author Paulo Coelho is known for writing books with a spiritual theme. Coelho had a difficult upbringing. He disobeyed the Catholicism of his parents. They then admitted him to a mental facility three times. Paulo drew inspiration for his works from this adversity and his spiritual revelation during his 500-mile trek to Santiago de Compostela.
Coelho worked in a variety of occupations prior to becoming a writer. He has held jobs as a lawyer, songwriter, actor, journalist, and theatre director, for instance. Despite having a modest start, The Alchemist has since become the most translated work by a living author. Coelho uses his writing to explore the world. His custom is to start a novel in January of an odd year when he notices a white feather.
What Keeps life interesting is having dreams.
Santiago, a shepherd, is The Alchemist’s main character. Santiago muses over the purpose of his work at the beginning of the narrative. In terms of his pets, Santiago is quite devoted. He addresses everyone of them by name, plans his day around them, and speaks to each of them frequently. Recently, Santiago has been talking to people about a girl he met a year ago in the town that will be his next stop. Santiago had been thinking about this girl nonstop for the past year. He met her while delivering wool to a store she was perusing; she is a merchant’s daughter.
The owner of this shop gave Santiago a purchase and invited him back a year later. As a result, Santiago was in route to the community where he first met the girl.
Santiago views his life as a shepherd as giving him a lot of independence. He follows his sheep’s lead and ultimately discovers a new route. Santiago understands that this is not a true discovery, though. He had once fantasized about seeing the entire planet. Santiago acknowledges that living vicariously via your dreams is what keeps life exciting. This is the reason he has been having dreams about seeing this girl again for the past 12 months.
Realize Your Individual Legend
Santiago encounters an elderly gipsy woman after he arrives in Tarifa, his final stop before reaching the place where his dream girl resides. This woman says she can decipher dreams. Santiago frequently has dreams in which a young child leads him to a hidden treasure. But, Santiago is only just beginning to realise where it is as he wakes up. Santiago is informed by the gipsy woman that the treasure is genuine. She explains to Santiago that the Soul of the World communicates with humans through dreams. After Santiago discovers the wealth, the woman accepts her recompense as being one-tenth of it.
Santiago sits in the plaza to read a book after leaving the gipsy woman’s home. Santiago is approached by an elderly guy who informs him that he has already read the same book. The individual discloses that he is Melchizedek, the king of Salem. He grants Paulo Coelho wisdom. This insight was that everyone in the world accepts the myth that fate keeps people from living their Personal Legend. Personal legends are goals that people have aspired to throughout their lives. Melchizedek clarifies that Personal Stories originate from the Soul of the World, just as the gipsy woman had indicated. But, habit and dread mask our own legends.
After some thought, Santiago determines that the merchant’s daughter and his sheep were only stepping stones to his personal legend (the treasure). As a result, he makes the quick decision to sell his flock and gives Melchizedek six sheep for nothing. Santiago is instructed by Melchizedek to always heed the signs. He also provides Santiago with two stones. The words “yes” and “no” were written on two stones, one of which was black and was known as Urim. In case Santiago has trouble deciphering the omens, these stones are there to help. Santiago purchases a ticket from Tarifa to Africa with the proceeds from the sale of his flock and sets out to hunt the treasure.
Santiago learns that getting his Personal Legend will be trickier than he initially anticipated once he arrives in Tangier. He does not speak Arabic, to begin with. Santiago is contacted by a young man while he is alone at a pub. The young man promises to help Santiago travel to the Pyramids, where the treasure is hidden, in Spanish. The young man, however, robs Santiago of all of his money when he offers to assist Santiago in purchasing a camel. Santiago sobs with helplessness. He questioned the stones about if Melchizedek’s blessing was still with him despite having nothing. Yes, was the response. So Santiago carried on with his quest to realize his aspirations.
Santiago discovered a struggling crystal store when he was pacing the streets looking for work. When Santiago has cleaned the shop’s front window, the proprietor offers him a position. Santiago will receive payment from the owner that will allow him to save up for a fresh flock of sheep and transportation back to his home. Santiago accepts and accepts the position.
The Alchemist frequently explores the idea of personal legends. Personal Legends are the only way that a person can have a fulfilling existence throughout the entire book. People that postpone reaching their Personal Legends will regret it and won’t be able to enjoy the prosperity that comes with doing so. Also, living out your personal legends will make it possible for others to favour you. The book goes so far as to say that natural elements must strive to fulfil their Personal Legends. Alchemy, for instance, entails transforming metal into gold, which is its own Personal Legend.
Everything Happens For a Reason
Santiago strikes up a chat with the proprietor of the crystal shop after earning enough money to purchase a second flock and return home. He begs permission from the owner to return home. Although the owner offers Santiago his okay, he also admits that he is aware that Santiago will not go back to Spain. Rather, he was aware that Santiago would keep pursuing his Personal Legend. In spite of being far from home, Santiago accepted that he was now much nearer the pyramids and the wealth. He so gambled and began living in a caravan in a desert so that he might begin looking for the wealth.
He meets an Englishman looking for his own Personal Legend while residing here. This man had received Urim and Thummim from Melchizedek, just like Santiago had. Santiago came to the realization that his series of experiences had all helped him get closer to achieving his Personal Legend. Even getting robbed happened along the way to the riches.
The Englishman and Santiago have a conversation about the Soul of the Planet as they cross the desert. He claims that this is the overarching premise. We are enmeshed in the Soul of the World if we have an intuition or truly desire something. Several of the Englishman’s alchemy works were read by Santiago. He learned that nearly all well-known alchemists devoted their entire lives to living out their Personal Legends. Santiago, however, prefers to interpret the world’s omens through modern living as opposed to old writings.
Love Makes the Soul of the Planet Hearable
Finally, the caravan arrived at the oasis, where the alchemist was waiting. This alchemist had foreseen that someone in a caravan sought them out by interpreting the desert’s omens. The tribes of the desert are currently at war with one another. The desert is too risky to cross because of this war. As a result, the caravan must remain at the oasis forever. At a well at this time, Santiago encounters a lovely girl. Santiago develops a great affection for her and discovers that love makes it easier to hear the language of the Soul of the World.
Every day at the well, Santiago begins to run into Fatima, the woman he has grown in love with. He described to her his quest and everything he had discovered.
Santiago tells Fatima he wants to marry her because he is so in love with her. He even admits to her that he has considered abandoning his search to be with her. Fatima informs Santiago that she recognizes his desire to locate the treasure in order to achieve his objectives in life. While thinking about this alone on the oasis’ fringes, Santiago has a vision of an invading army. Santiago decides to inform the chiefs of the oasis of what the desert’s omens have told him after contacting one of the caravan’s guides.
Santiago informs the chiefs, and after considerable consideration—which goes against oasis custom, which is typically regarded as neutral ground—they decide to prepare for battle. Santiago and the chiefs come to an agreement. The chief will award Santiago a gold piece for every ten foes killed if the enemy shows up. Santiago will be put to death if his vision proves to be false, though. Santiago is reflective as he makes his way home following his meeting with the chiefs, but he is confident that he made the correct choice.
He is abruptly attacked by a man on a white horse, wearing nothing but black, and carrying a falcon on his shoulder. The man threatens Santiago with a sword and questions how he was aware of the approaching army. Santiago, who is terrified, tells the man about his Personal Legend and the signs of the desert. Santiago justifies his lack of a choice. The man fully comprehends, much to Santiago’s amazement. He departs, requesting a visit from Santiago if he makes it through the next few days. Santiago becomes aware that he has just met the alchemist as the horseman rides off.
The intruders are all dispatched by the men of the oasis the following day. The chieftain of the oasis then gave Santiago 50 gold pieces and asked him to serve as the oasis’ counsellor. Santiago, however, decides to forego the opportunity to become a counsellor and leave Fatima in order to work with the alchemist on his Personal Legend.
The Alchemist Book Review
Paulo Coelho’s classic book “The Alchemist” is one of his best works. The narrative of the novel centres on Santiago, a young shepherd who decides to leave his cosy existence in Andalusia and set off on an adventure to live out his own unique mythology.
Santiago has a reoccurring dream at the start of the narrative about a hidden treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. Despite leading a privileged life, Santiago resolves to chase his goal because he feels restless. He goes on a quest to find the riches after selling his sheep.
Santiago encounters a number of people who aid him in his travels along the road, including an alchemist who reveals the universe’s mysteries to him.
On his voyage, Santiago picks up many important lessons, including the value of listening to his heart and pursuing his dreams.
The book is replete with motivational sayings and strong ideas that have an enduring effect on the reader. The concept of personal legends, or the things that people are intended to do in their lifetimes, is one of the book’s central topics. The author challenges readers to live out their own personal legends and to have the guts to pursue their aspirations even when they appear unattainable.
The brilliantly written book “The Alchemist” encourages readers to follow their hearts and go for their ambitions. Millions of people all across the world have been moved by this classic that has stood the test of time.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration, motivation, or simply an enjoyable read, “The Alchemist” is a must-read book that will leave you feeling empowered and inspired.
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