Originally published in Portugese in 1988, The Alchemist has since been translated into a record 71 languages and sold over 65 million copies worldwide.
It’s considered one of the most important books of the later 20th century and in even better news for the time poor among us, it’s short! In all seriousness, The Alchemist is one of those rare novels imbued with the power to change lives, particularly when read at personal crossroads.
The plot is basic enough: an Andalusion shepherd boy named Santiago believes that there is a treasure hidden in the pyramids of Egypt and embarks on a journey to recover them.
Along the way he comes across a variety of characters; a gypsy woman, a king and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago to the next direction of his quest.
The alchemist in particular teaches Santiago about what is truly valuable in life, telling him that “treasure is more worthy than gold”.
The Alchemist doesn’t revolve around plot at all; plot is merely the scaffolding to provide moments of self-discovery for Santiago and ultimately the reader.
It is incredibly ripe with meaning regarding and has a profound effect on most of its readers. The Alchemist is a wonderful book to help you adjust your outlook on life, particularly as the New Year dawns.
Praise for the author: “of books that I can recommend with the unshakable confidence of having read them and been entranced, impressed, entertained or moved, the universal gift is perhaps a limpid little fable called The Alchemist.” The Age
About the author: Paulo Coelho is one of the most widely read authors in the world. His books have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, have been translated into 68 languages, and have been published in 150 countries. He was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace in 2007.
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