Book Review: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Category: Misc. On Reading and Books.

I am very fond of reading. I read a lot - both online and offline. A book that I have read and re-read, and one that has inspired me is, 'The Alchemist' written by Paulo Coelho.

The essence of this book is in its simplicity. It gives us the message, "In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities." It is a simple book with a philosophical meaning. The Alchemist is the story of a young shepherd in search of his dreams. The shepherd boy meets a king who urges him to go in search of a treasure, which lies at the Pyramids. The shepherd boy decides to follow the advice, and starts on a voyage that takes him beyond places he has ever seen, meeting different people, finding new places, and learning new things.

There are times when the shepherd boy wants to abandon his journey and go back, and each time, destiny makes him go ahead. The boy meets an Alchemist, one who can turn metal to gold, on his way in search of the treasure, and the Alchemist takes him to the Pyramids. On their way they meet warring tribes, explore the magic of nature, and understand the power of the soul of the Universe. The shepherd boy also finds the love of his life, and he leaves her to go ahead in search of the treasure, knowing well that she would be waiting for him on his way back.

The book gives us the message that if you have a dream then you should follow it. If you want to achieve something and you are in search of your dreams, the entire universe comes together to help you achieve your goal.

This philosophical book is a way of living life. Be bold, fearless, courageous, and always follow your dreams, and doors will open where there aren't any, and friends will appear where there are none, and there are no strange places, only new ones.

Someone somewhere is waiting for you be it in the middle of a desert, or in some great city, and one can always go back to do what one is currently doing, but those who risk and go in search of their dreams achieve the impossible.

Life is not about stability and money, it is about dreams and love, and when you follow your destiny, the entire universe conspires to help you achieve it.

It is a book worth reading and remembering. A must read book.

A single line description for The Alchemist would be, "In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities." So what are you waiting for, go ahead in search of both, be free and fear no one.

Rating: 5 on 5
Must Read.