The Alchemist (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Like the one-time bestseller Jonathan Livingston Seagull, The Alchemist presents a simple fable, based on simple truths and places it in a highly unique situation. And though we may sniff a bestselling formula, it is certainly not a new one: even the ancient tribal storytellers knew that this is the most successful method of entertaining an audience while slipping in a lesson or two. Brazilian storyteller Paulo Coehlo introduces Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who one night dreams of a distant treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. And so he's off: leaving Spain to literally follow his dream.

Along the way he meets many spiritual messengers, who come in unassuming forms such as a camel driver and a well-read Englishman. In one of the Englishman's books, Santiago first learns about the alchemists--men who believed that if a metal were heated for many years, it would free itself of all its individual properties, and what was left would be the "Soul of the World." Of course he does eventually meet an alchemist, and the ensuing student-teacher relationship clarifies much of the boy's misguided agenda, while also emboldening him to stay true to his dreams. "My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy confides to the alchemist one night as they look up at a moonless night.

"Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself," the alchemist replies. "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." --Gail Hudson

From Publishers Weekly

This inspirational fable by Brazilian author and translator Coelho has been a runaway bestseller throughout Latin America and seems poised to achieve the same prominence here. The charming tale of Santiago, a shepherd boy, who dreams of seeing the world, is compelling in its own right, but gains resonance through the many lessons Santiago learns during his adventures. He journeys from Spain to Morocco in search of worldly success, and eventually to Egypt, where a fateful encounter with an alchemist brings him at last to self-understanding and spiritual enlightenment. The story has the comic charm, dramatic tension and psychological intensity of a fairy tale, but it's full of specific wisdom as well, about becoming self-empowered, overcoming depression, and believing in dreams. The cumulative effect is like hearing a wonderful bedtime story from an inspirational psychiatrist. Comparisons to The Little Prince are appropriate; this is a sweetly exotic tale for young and old alike. 50,000 first printing; $50,000 ad/promo.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 1st edition (April 16, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062502174
• ISBN-13: 978-0062502179
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1,440 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #72,056 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #8 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Portuguese
  #26 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Authors, A-Z > ( C ) > Coelho, Paulo
  #56 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Metaphysical

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

115 of 132 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Powerful Parable, June 21, 2006

By	Kevin Joseph (McLean, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Alchemist (Paperback)

More parable than novel, "The Alchemist" uses the story of young shepherd Santiago's search for his Personal Legend as an allegory for everyman's struggle to break from the comfortable confines of conformity and pursue his life dreams. Along the way, of course, our young everyman is beset by all manner of setbacks, testing his resolve and forcing him to become attuned to the Soul of the World in order to survive. By paying attention to the details in the world around him, which serve as omens guiding him towards his goal, young Santiago becomes an alchemist in his own right, spinning unfavorable circumstances into riches.

Aside from the ubiquitous theme about the power of perseverance, my favorite part of the book was its glorification of simplicity. Like the pared-down manner in which the story is presented, Santiago's rare ability to get in touch with the Soul of the World comes not from the procedures described in arcane tomes pursued by traditional alchemists, but rather from a simple honesty and observance of the workings of the world. While the lack of character or plot complexity precludes this minimalist work from being considered a great novel, it will be a satisfying read for those seeking inspiration of the purest sort.

-Kevin Joseph, author of "The Champion Maker"

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SUPERB ARTICULATION OF A M,AGICAL TALE, March 15, 2001

By	Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

This review is from: Alchemist CD, The (Audio CD)

British stage and screen actor Jeremy Irons is a beguiling reader whether sotto voce or thunderous declaration. His crisply articulate delivery is especially well suited to this contemporary fable reminding us of what is truly important in life.

Santiago, a shepherd boy, dreams of treasure hidden in Egypt. So, he leaves his home in Spain to search for the most precious hoard imaginable, in other words, he follows his dream. His quest takes him to the markets of Tangier and across the Egyptian desert to forage among the Pyramids.

During his journey he meets a Gypsy woman, a self proclaimed king, and an Alchemist, all of whom offer Santiago directions. Listeners do not know what the treasure is that the boy seeks, but they do learn that riches are not found in possessions but rather within our hearts and minds.

Mr. Irons has already been lauded by his peers - he is the winner of an Emmy Award, an Academy Award, and a Tony Award. This reading will simply add luster to his already stellar accomplishments.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Baffled, January 20, 2009

By	Frank P. Sullivan - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Alchemist (Paperback)

I do not get how anyone likes this book at all. It's boring. It's repetitive. It's horridly simple. The characters have no depth. Every character speaks like the next. The dialog is ridiculous. It's full of cliches and platitudes that have a tenuous connection if any at all.

I am baffled, BAFFLED that anyone likes this book. There is nothing here. I can possibly see a 13 year old simpy girl finding this deep. Just like a 13 year old simpy girl would find Backstreet Boy's lyrics deep. But how any grown person who has actually lived in any form of reality can find this book to be anything other than drivel blows my mind.

I read this for a book club and I am going to smack who ever suggested it.