BETWEEN THE LINES: Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
The deluxe hardcover edition of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, a guide for self-discovery and following dreams (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
“You May Like This…”
Following a recommendation (“You May Like This…”) I thought I would check out a special deluxe hard cover edition of the internationally multi-million selling book by Brazilian writer, Paulo Coelho.
The book is a spiritual tale of following your own dreams, the path this can lead you on and the people you meet along the way.
This resonated sharply with me given my own circumstances, whilst making me wonder regarding the rather apt recommendation and why I decided to investigate the book further, especially when it wasn’t really something I would normally read! Perhaps an “Omen” that the book goes on to describe!
The back cover of Alchemist Deluxe Edition (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
Santiago’s Destiny
The story follows the North African journey of an Andalusian Shepherd boy, Santiago as he seeks to reach the Pyramids in Egypt.
The trek starts after a fortune teller interprets Santiago’s recurring dreams as a call to discover a treasure at the Egyptian Pyramids.
The accomplishment of his “Personal Legend” runs deeply within the story and he faces challenges as well as further inspiration from a number of people he encounters on his travels.
With a break in travelling due to working for a crystal merchant, after being robbed of his savings in Tangiers, he shows great patience and endurance to re-create his wealth and eventually continues on, meeting an Englishman, who is searching for an Alchemist, and then meeting an Arabian girl, Fatima, who he falls in love with.
The boy then meets the Alchemist who paves the way to allow him reach the destination and a surprising, but uplifting conclusion.
Punching above its Weight
Easy to read and just over 160 pages long in the hardback edition, the book still packs a punch with its spiritual feel in a bygone age co-existing in a folktales ambience.
"I found the book a poignant, yet simple take on self-discovery. It makes me wonder if the recommendation was an 'Omen' in itself—a call to seek my own Personal Legend during this career pivot."
Originally written in Portuguese in 1988, the book has been translated into over 65 different languages, selling over 150 million copies along the way.
FURTHER READING: There are further Alchemist companion books from Coelho, including “Manual of the Warrior of Light” and “Maktub”.
