![]() The Alchemist is a novel that will not appeal to everybody. This is where Coelho really captures the drama of man, who sacrifices fulfillment to conformity, who knows he can achieve greatness but denies doing so, and ends up living an empty shell of a life. The old crystal-seller tragically confesses: “I am afraid that great disappointment awaits me, and so I prefer to dream". Fear, fear of failure seems to be the greatest obstacle to happiness. ![]() Isn't it true that all of us want to believe the old king when he says that the greatest lie in the world is that at some point we lose the ability to control our lives, and become the pawns of fate.Ĭoelho also suggests that those who do not have the courage to follow their “Personal Myth", are doomed to a life of emptiness, misery, and unfulfillment. However, by the end of the novel, he discovers that "treasure lies where your heart belongs", and that the treasure was the journey itself, the discoveries he made, and the wisdom he acquired.Īs the alchemist himself says when he appears to Santiago in the form of an old king "when you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true". In his journey, Santiago sees the greatness of the world, and meets all kinds of exciting people like kings and alchemists. After listening to "the signs" the boy ventures in his personal, journey of exploration and self-discovery, searching for a hidden treasure located near the pyramids in Egypt. The novel tells the tale of Santiago, a boy who has a dream and the courage to follow it. With this symbolic novel Coelho states that we should not avoid our destinies, and urges people to follow their dreams, because to find our "Personal Myth" and our mission on Earth is the way to find God, meaning happiness, fulfillment, and the ultimate purpose of creation. The Alchemist is a novel that combines an atmosphere of medieval mysticism with the voice of the desert - dreams, symbols, signs, and adventure follow Santiago and the reader like echoes of ancient wise voices. And he succeeds in doing so ~~ especially in those who are so passionate in their dislike of this book. Paul Coelho looks to inspire passion in people with The Alchemist. ![]() But, I understand why people are so passionate in their dislike of this work. I preface my review by saying I am amazed how wildly passionate people are in their feelings toward this novel ~~ regardless of whether they love or hate The Alchemist. It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting. Indeed Paulo Coelho is a firm believer of Internet as a new media and is the first Best-selling author to actively support online free distribution of his work. From this intensive interest and use of the Internet sprang his bold new project: The Experimental Witch where he invites his readers to adapt to the screen his book The Witch of Portobello. He is equally present in media sharing sites such as Youtube and Flickr, offering on a regular basis not only texts but also videos and pictures to his readers. Since this first blog Paulo Coelho has expanded his presence in the internet with his daily blogs in Wordpress, Myspace & Facebook. During this experience Paulo Coelho launched his blog Walking the Path - The Pilgrimage in order to share with his readers his impressions. In ninety days of pilgrimage the author traveled around the globe and took the famous Transiberrian train that took him to Vladivostok. He also held surprise book signings - announced one day in advance - in some cities along the way, to have a chance to meet his readers. During the months of March, April, May and June 2006, Paulo Coelho traveled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his pilgrimage to Saint James of Compostella in 1986. Other titles include Brida (1990), The Valkyries (1992), By the river Piedra I sat Down and Wept (1994), the collection of his best columns published in the Brazilian newspaper Folha de São Paulo entitle Maktub (1994), the compilation of texts Phrases (1995), The Fifth Mountain (1996), Manual of a Warrior of Light (1997), Veronika decides to die (1998), The Devil and Miss Prym (2000), the compilation of traditional tales in Stories for parents, children and grandchildren (2001), Eleven Minutes (2003), The Zahir (2005), The Witch of Portobello (2006) and Winner Stands Alone (to be released in 2009). Slow initial sales convinced his first publisher to drop the novel, but it went on to become one of the best selling Brazilian books of all time. In the following year, COELHO published The Alchemist. In 1986, PAULO COELHO did the pilgrimage to Saint James of Compostella, an experience later to be documented in his book The Pilgrimage. Before dedicating his life completely to literature, he worked as theatre director and actor, lyricist and journalist. The Brazilian author PAULO COELHO was born in 1947 in the city of Rio de Janeiro.
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