I
am not an avid reader but of late I have been trying to read more books than I
did before. I think for me the problem is not reading a book but actually
taking the step to reading one. Reading is important because it helps in
self-development and mental stimulation. I recently read “The Alchemist” after
procrastinating for along time. I read it at a perfect time after a friend
recommended it.The book is lovely and an inspirational masterpiece.
Written
by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho in 1988.It was initially written and published
in Portuguese. It is an international bestseller and has been translated to
more than 70 languages. The book is relatively short having around 167 pages
only. The theme is about finding one’s destiny or purpose in life.
The
story is about a Shepherd boy from Spain whose name is Santiago. He keeps
getting the same dream about treasures that are lying in the Pyramids of Egypt.
He embarks on a journey to follow his dream after meeting an old king who
offers him magic stones and advice. Santiago crosses the Mediterranean and
Sahara to find his treasures in Egypt and also accomplish his personal legend
which is his purpose in life. The book details his journey and the various
encounters that he experiences when following his dream. Throughout the
journey, Santiago meets many new people and a lot of difficulty which
ultimately helps him to learn and grow the entire way. Does he find the
treasures in the Pyramids of Egypt?
The
Alchemist is a fantastic book and the storytelling is beautiful. The choice of
words are impeccable, full of wisdom and philosophy. I totally loved it. The
story is very enchanting and bursts with optimism which I think is very
important in our lives .The book shows that the journey to your destiny is as
important as the destiny itself. I love how the book emphasizes on the
importance of faith, hope and spirituality through the story of an ordinary
boy. I think this book appeals to everyone because we all have dreams and
sometimes we just want someone to tell us that they may come true.Overall,”The
Alchemist”is a very exciting fiction novel and it deserves a space at
everyone’s bookshelf.
Favourite
Quotes from the book
“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.”Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
“If
someone isn’t what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone
seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but
none about his or her own.”Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
“Love
is not to be found in someone else but in ourselves; we simply awaken it. But
in order to do that, we need the other person.”Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
“One
is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.” Paulo Coelho,
The Alchemist
“You
can become blind by seeing each day as a similar one. Each day is a different
one, each day brings a miracle of its own. It’s just a matter of paying
attention to this miracle.” Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
“It’s
the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”Paulo
Coelho, The Alchemist
“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
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