The Alchemist is a novel written by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho which was first published in 1988. Originally written in Portuguese, it became a widely translated international bestseller.
An allegorical novel, The Alchemist follows a young Andalusian shepherd in his journey to the pyramids of Egypt, after having a recurring dream of finding a treasure there.
An Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago dreams of a treasure while in a ruined church. He consults a Gypsy fortune-teller about the meaning of the frequent dream. The woman interprets it as a prophecy, telling the boy that he will discover a treasure at the Egyptian pyramid. Soon Santiago begins his journey to the treasure, experiences a lot, finally he finds out the real treasure and love of his life.
The book’s main theme is about finding one’s destiny, although according to The New York Times, The Alchemist is “more self-help than literature”. The advice was given to Santiago that “when you really want something to happen, the whole universe will conspire so that your wish comes true” is the core of the novel’s philosophy and a motif that plays throughout it.
I’ll definitely recommend this novel to beginners as well as absolute readers. 10 on 10 ratings for this novel.
The BlogGirl 
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