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The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream | 
 enlarge | Author: Paulo Coelho
Publisher: Thorsons
Category: Book
List Price: £7.99
Buy Used: £0.01
You Save: £7.98 (100%)
New (41) Used (85) Collectible (7) from £0.01
Rating:  263 reviews
Sales Rank: 539
Media: Paperback
Edition: New edition
Pages: 192
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5 x 0.7
ISBN: 0722532938
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780722532935
ASIN: 0722532938
Publication Date: September 6, 1999
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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Amazon.co.uk Review
Like the one-time bestseller Jonathan Livingston Seagull, The Alchemist presents a simple fable, based on simple truths and places it in a highly unique situation. And though we may sense a bestselling formula, it is certainly not a new one: even the ancient tribal storytellers knew that this is the most successful method of entertaining an audience while slipping in a lesson or two. Brazilian storyteller Paulo Coehlo introduces Santiago, an Andalucian shepherd boy who one night dreams of a distant treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. And so he's off: leaving Spain to literally follow his dream. Along the way he meets many spiritual messengers, who come in unassuming forms such as a camel driver and a well-read Englishman. In one of the Englishman's books, Santiago first learns about the alchemists--men who believed that if a metal were heated for many years, it would free itself of all its individual properties, and what was left would be the "Soul of the World." Of course he does eventually meet an alchemist, and the ensuing student-teacher relationship clarifies much of the boy's misguided agenda, while also emboldening him to stay true to his dreams. "My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy confides to the alchemist one night as they look up at a moonless night. "Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself," the alchemist replies. "And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity."
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| Customer Reviews: Read 10 more reviews...
 Alchemist March 12, 2007
Spider Monkey (UK)
22 out of 24 found this review helpful
Coelho's most famous book and the first one I read. This is fairly typical of his style and offers his usual words of spiritual wisdom in an easy accessible (almost fairy story style) read. His books are very simplistic, but have some interesting philosophy and some nice ways of phrasing timeless ideas. As long as you expect an easy, innocuous read, and don't expect the lofty spiritual read often touted, then you should be fine. This is a great story, with beautiful sentiments and is worth it for that alone.
Please read this book. August 18, 1999
55 out of 62 found this review helpful
This book is a simple gift from the heavens, like so many other things in our world which go un-noticed. Read it in a day, or draw the pleasure out over three and have your life changed irrevocably without even trying. I read this book four years ago the first time, and finished it yesterday the second time. On both occasions, I was inspired into letting myself dream, and more so, to not be afraid to demand that these dreams be realised. Since then, somehow, I've come full circle around the world and into the arms of amazing friends and miraculous opportunities for growth. This book mightn't teach you anything you don't already know, but it's story will inspire you, and remind you of the moments when you feel love within your body, stronger than any other earthly bond known to humankind. That kind of love is what this book is about: it seeks to help us live it for ourselves.
Savoured by intellectuals, savaged by the rest. BUY IT June 17, 2005
one-eyed Jack (England)
26 out of 29 found this review helpful
Well the story isn't exactly life-changing but it could be described as a kind of contemporary fantasy, with mystical yet convincing characters, and the message I took from it is that we should all have aspirations and we should, in turn, make sacrifices to make those dreams come true. Things won't turn out as we expect, life isn't that simple, but we won't have lost for trying. I too had high expectations of this book (I was already a PC fan) and I wasn't disappointed. This guy can really tell a story.
charming, thoughtful and beautifully written April 7, 2003
floombud (Scotland)
25 out of 28 found this review helpful
The Alchemist is a wonderful fable teaching some of the key truths in life in a beautifully simplistic way. It's not often that I enjoy a book without good descriptive qualities, but this one is exceptional. I've read it twice, and both times it has left me utterly uplifted and ready for a world that is trying and unfriendly. Short and sweet, it draws you into a different kind of world in which things are black and white in their idealism, yet draws out your awareness of the diamonds in the real world. Although life isn't as simple as the one portrayed by the main character, an Andalucian shepherd travelling to Egypt in search of his dreams; the teachings of this book are effective and beautiful. The writing is light and warm, yet thoughtful beneath. Read this book if you want to learn how to enjoy sheer living for all it's worth.
Follow your dreams March 10, 2007
Amrita (London-Delhi)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Dreams, symbols, sings and adventure abound in this mystical novel. When we follow our dreams then we live close to God. The message in this book is both simple and beautiful.
"The Alchemist" tells the story of Santiago, a boy who has a dream and the courage to follow it. Signs reveal greater purpose and he listens to them on his journey.
Another novel by Deborah Morrison & Arvind Singh also points out the importance of following your dreams. Logan Andrews, a journalist, is depressed and suicidal and in a dream he's guided by a teacher to a retreat and like Santiago he also listens to his dream.
Both books made me recognize that life is not merely about living - it is about fulfilling a higher purpose.
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