Book Log #2 - The Alchemist by Paul Coelho

Review: 5/5 stars

First published in 1988, The Alchemist is widely and critically acclaimed for its exploration into one's own transformative power. With a devoted following around the world, The Alchemist follows Santiago, a young shepherd boy, who travels in search of treasure near the Pyramids. On his journey, he meets a king, the alchemist, and many others who point him in the direction of his 'treasure'. They also encourage him to reflect on what it is he has to offer in this life - to himself and to those around him.

Image via Matter

The simple, scripture-like writing of The Alchemist make the story easy to digest, but Coelho's reflections through Santiago's journey probe us to think much deeper than that. It is disarmingly simple - the idea that we should rise above failure, follow our dreams and never give up on them, but The Alchemist tackles this with a 'whatever will be, will be' and 'what's meant for you will always be yours' tone that was surprisingly comforting.

The famous quote reads, "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." And I thoroughly believe it! I really like Coelho's idea of omens - and seeing omens as signs you're on the right path to uncovering your Personal Legend (your purpose in life). I would recommend this book to readers at any age, and as for me, I will definitely be reading The Alchemist again; and with every reading I know that I'll be taking new messages from Santiago's adventure, and The Alchemist will become more meaningful in ways I won't fully grasp until I've lived more life myself.

The Alchemist makes big existential questions seem like simple matters of the heart, and it encourages its audience to fall in love with the journey, not the destination.

Date Read: 01/2022

Some of my favourite quotes:

"Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure."

"People are afraid to pursue their most important dreams, because they feel that they don't deserve them, or that they'll be unable to achieve them. We, their hearts, become fearful just thinking of loved ones who go away forever, or of moments that could have been good but weren't, or treasures that might have been found but were forever hidden in the sands. Because, when these things happen, we suffer terribly."

"Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. 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."

"before a dream is realised, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in addition to realising our dreams, master the lessons we've learned as we've moved toward that dream."