The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Enlightening and worth reading in any phase of life.
 
Blurb: “Paulo Coelho's enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and soul-stirring wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried near the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles in his path. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.”
 
I am sure that many people have heard or read this book. At first glance, it seems like something easy to read. I loved the simplicity and yet the depth of the messages it contains. It’s the kind of book that works on many levels. Jakob goes on an adventure. He meets different people that are an essential part of his journey, especially the Alchemist. The more he gets to know himself better, the more he understands the world around him. Jakob is searching for his treasure, and his pilgrimage is his Personal Legend. Did he find it? Yes. Was it at the end of his journey? No. Why? Because his true treasure was in himself all along, but he was yet to realize this.
 
Looking deeper, this is much more than a great read. Filled with a positive essence that goes deep into spirituality, it reveals something that many of us may have forgotten: we must live our life on our terms to be happy. It is an individual journey.
 
No matter what anyone says, we know what makes us happy and that the power for a fulfilled life comes from within us. I found it to be one of the most influential books I have read, and for me, it holds the same place as “The Little Prince.” I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for answers and explanations throughout their life journey.
 
Quotes:
 
“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting, he thought, as he looked again at the position of the sun, and hurried his pace.”
 
“People learn, early in their lives, what is their reason for being,” said the old man, with a certain bitterness. “Maybe that’s why they give up on it so early, too. But that's the way it is.”
 
“In alchemy, it’s called the Soul of the World. When you want something with all your heart, that’s when you are closest to the Soul of the World. It’s always a positive force.”
 
“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself.”
 
My rating: 5/5.
 
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