"The Alchemist"

The Book

The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho

What It’s About

This is an allegorical tale of a shepherd boy, Santiago, who has a dream about a hidden treasure buried near the Great Pyramids of Egypt and makes his pilgrimage to find it. Like many travel stories, Santiago meets interesting people, sees interesting places, and has many adventures and detours. His quest, the people he meets and the adventures he has are all part of pursuing his “Personal Legend.”

Though he encounters a disaster early in his journey, he realizes he has already traveled farther than he ever has before and accepts his difficulties as part of the journey.  Like all people with a goal, Santiago faces many obstacles, delays, and even some blessings, but he keeps his goal in front of him.  He even finds his soul mate, but he has to wait for the right time before he can be with her.

Why I Picked This Book

This book would be another “desert island book,” which is appropriate because much of this story takes place in the Sahara Desert.  But it’s the message of pursuing our personal legend that makes this book so powerful and, for me, so personally relevant.   I, too, am pursuing my personal legend and while the details are different, much of what I have experienced is described in this book.

Is there anything more powerful or more important than understanding why we are here?  We are here because we have a purpose to fulfill.  We have a mission, a reason, a purpose.    It’s not easy to pursue that, but this book will make the journey easier. 

How This Book Can Help You

If the message of this book is to be believed, then each of us has our own personal legend to pursue.  Not everyone will.  Some will try and then quit.  Others won’t even try.  But the lucky will try and not give up. Those needing encouragement in the pursuit of their own goals will find this book invaluable. 

Quotes from the Book

“It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”

“One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.”

“Every blessing ignored becomes a curse.”

“To realize one’s personal legend is a person’s only real obligation.”