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Manning Alchemist, The Paperback – January 1, 2003

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 148,915 ratings

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho continues to change the lives of its readers forever. With more than two million copies sold around the world, The Alchemist has established itself as a modern classic, universally admired.Paulo Coelho s masterpiece tells the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found.The story of the treasures Santiago finds along the way teaches us, as only a few stories can, about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens strewn along life s path, and, above all, following our dreams.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"When you really want something, the whole universe conspires in helping you achieve it" The whole fable circumnavigate in the vicinity of the above adduce."The Alchemist" is an audacious and cogitative story (written as fable) of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy,who like all of us, is in search for his destiny. Unaware of all the contingencies he takes the risk and travel in search of a treasure from his home in Spain to the alien markets of Tangiers and then into the Egyptian desert, where a fortunate encounter with the alchemist awaits him. Paulo Coelho has embellished the story with many provoking thoughts through minuscule incidents which Santiago encounters in his struggle. The book also lay emphasis on many variables such as positive invisible forces, wisdom of listening to our heart, dreams as languages of God, nocturnal cold, elixir of life, central role of every individual in history of earth, beauty as the greatest seducer of men etc. Published in 67 different languages, highly extolled by the critics, the book was originally written in Portuguese in the year 1988 and has now sold 65 million copies!!! The alchemist has made it to the bestsellers list in 74 countries and thereby has attained the status of modern classic. What else you want? A book with such a brilliant record. I strongly recommend this book specially for people seeking their path in life. I completed the book in 3 days time, a cinch book, about 160 pages, with very less difficult words. The most notable feature of the book despite of OK type vocabulary was that it is highly inspirational and increases the motivation level from nadir to zenith, of the reader. Some sentences in the book will compel you to think how to go beyond the rock walls of perceptions, prejudice and conditioning to achieve splendid success and your true heart's desire. --harshit chauhan Aug 29, 2012

It's a fable about a person who wants to turn his dream into reality. The book describes everything in story form, which is needed to turn one's goal or dream into reality. The story is written in very simple words and is very interesting. I completed the entire book in just 10 hours and I remained influenced by the story for about a week. And I'll remain influenced by its teachings for my lifetime. The book teaches you few of the following things: a) When you want something, the entire universe conspires to help you achieve it. b) Nothing in the world comes for free. c) God always comes in some form to help those who help themselves. d) Everything happens for our betterment. e) Courage is the only skill that will take you across the difficult times. f) Listen to your heart, it's always right. g) Never become overconfident on coming nearer to the cost after crossing the entire sea. f) God is within us and continuously speaks with us, we just need to question him. h) The treasure is always around us, but life still takes us to long journey just to teach us skills required to become capable of handling the treasure. These are just few, but there are a lot of teachings of the story, that will transform your thought process to make you worth achieving something. Go ahead and read this book and become motivated. Please write a review to help others. Enjoy!! Happy Reading!!! --Yogeshwar Singh Sep 16, 2013

To start with I have to say that though i am an avid reader but i hadn't read any serious novels before this one. Only Chetan Bhagat was the one i managed to complete. After reading this and if you are able to implement its teachings, your life will change completely. This book is not easy to start reading. I myself read the first few pages a few times and never went on. Once you read 30 to 50 pages, you will start appreciating the book. For those saying the story was not worth it have failed to completely understand the book. This is not meant to be a one night read. Its something you need to read slowly, cherishing and appreciating the writing. I took a month reading it and i read only one or two pages at a time, afraid it would end. However, i warn you this book is no magic. Expect it to be good and you will love it. If you begin expecting it to be out of this world, you won't be able to cherish it. In conclusion : Read this! There is a reason why it has sold numerous copies worldwide. No other book can ever come close to this for me --Sumit S Feb 3, 2012

About the Author

Paulo Coelho, born in Rio de Janeiro in 1947, is one of the bestselling and most influential authors in the world.The Alchemist The Pilgrimage The Valkyries Brida Veronika Decides to Die, Eleven Minutes, The Zahir, The Witch of Portobello, The Winner Stands Alone,Aleph Manuscript Found in Accra and Adultery, among others, have sold 150 million copies worldwide.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 8172234988
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HARPER COLLINS INDIA; Later Printing edition (January 1, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 172 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9788172234980
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8172234980
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.41 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.08 x 0.59 x 7.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 148,915 ratings

About the author

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Paulo Coelho
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Paulo Coelho is the author of "The Alchemist", he was born in 1947 in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Being the author of 30 books that have sold over 320 million copies in 170 countries, he has become one of the most widely read authors in the world today. Paulo Coelho has been a United Nations Messenger of Peace since 2007 and this has allowed him to continue to promote intercultural dialogue and to focus on the needs of children. He is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters and the recipient of over 115 awards and honours, including the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the Grinzane Cavour Book Award and the Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur, to name a few.

Other titles include “The Pilgrimage”, “Brida”, "The Supreme Gift", “The Valkyries”, “By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept”, “Maktub”, “The Fifth Mountain”, “Manual of the Warrior of Light”, “Veronika Decides to Die”, “The Devil and Miss Prym”, “Stories for Parents, Children and Grandchildren”, “Eleven Minutes”, “The Zahir”, “Like the Flowing River”, “The Witch of Portobello”, “The Winner Stands Alone”, “Aleph”, “Manuscript Found in Accra”, “Adultery”, “The Spy”, “Hippie”. Also “Journey” guided journal.

https://paulocoelhoblog.com/

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
148,915 global ratings
The Illustrated Alchemist
5 Stars
The Illustrated Alchemist
I have been looking for this book, for what seems like ages, and this holiday season I finally got my wish. It’s in pristine condition. (It’s just perfect!) It was packaged well and came extraordinarily fast. (I was so excited!) I am very happy with the seller and my wonderful copy of this hardback. (Finally!) It’s my favorite edition. If you’re an Alchemist fan or have someone you’d like to gift it to, this book is a must.
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2024
A Fable About Following Your Dream

Twenty-five years ago, Paulo Coelho's 'The Alchemist' first enchanted readers around the world. Since then, this timeless fable has sold over 150 million copies, inspiring countless individuals to embrace their dreams and follow their hearts.

A Journey of Self-Discovery

'The Alchemist' follows the story of Santiago, a young shepherd from Andalusia, who embarks on an extraordinary journey to the distant pyramids of Egypt. Guided by a wise old king, Santiago learns that his destiny lies not in the familiar paths of his past but in the unknown realms of his dreams.

Along the way, Santiago encounters an alchemist, who teaches him the secrets of turning the base metal of his life into the gold of his potential. He learns the importance of listening to his heart, embracing change, and never giving up on his aspirations.

The Power of Personal Legend

The central theme of 'The Alchemist' is the pursuit of one's 'Personal Legend.' This is the unique purpose for which each individual is born, the reason they exist. Santiago's Personal Legend is to reach the pyramids, but along his journey, he discovers that the path itself is as important as the destination.

The pursuit of our Personal Legends often requires us to overcome obstacles, face setbacks, and leave behind the familiar. 'The Alchemist' reminds us that these challenges are essential for our growth and that the rewards we gain from following our dreams far outweigh the risks involved.

The Importance of Following Your Heart

One of the most profound lessons Santiago learns is the importance of following his heart. Despite the fears and doubts that may arise, he trusts his intuition and takes the path that feels right to him.

'The Alchemist' teaches us that our hearts hold the key to our true nature and our purpose in life. When we listen to our hearts, we are guided to the people, places, and experiences that align with our destiny.

A Timeless Classic

'The Alchemist' has become a beloved classic for a reason. Its timeless message of self-discovery, the pursuit of dreams, and the power of following your heart resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds.

As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this literary masterpiece, let us remember the lessons it teaches. May we all embrace our Personal Legends, trust our hearts, and embark on extraordinary journeys of our own.

In the words of Coelho, 'And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.'
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Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2020
A simple coming-of-age parable which, by means of its straightforward style, achieves profundity. This book has been touted for years. Several friends have declared this their favorite book; a co-worker recommended that I read it; online book forums can’t get through a recommendations thread without The Alchemist among the top responses. I figured it would be difficult for the book to make a true impression because of how highly touted it has been. I was wrong. I am impressed.

This book drips with wisdom and yet is so unassuming that the reader is welcomed to embrace what rings true and shrug off the rest. The Alchemist tells the story of a shepherd who leaves his flocks to follow a dream of great treasure at the pyramids in Egypt. In his wanderings, he remains open to whatever experience comes his way. He meets a cast of fascinating, fun characters who share their wisdom, experience, and misadventures with the young shepherd.

The writing style is simple, the translation beautiful. The prose is poetic yet approachable. As the story progresses, a reader can’t help but listen to the simple wisdom on offer. I enjoyed nearly every page of this book and was satisfied with the story’s full-circle conclusion. I felt that I learned and grew alongside this peripatetic shepherd; I maintained an open heart ready to welcome all wisdom, even from unexpected people and places.

A few tidbits that particularly stood out:
-“I couldn’t have found God in the seminary, he thought, as he looked at the sunrise” (13). A perfect example of the sort of wisdom this book offers. This rings true for me as I have a graduate degree from a seminary and a few weeks of wilderness backpacking under my belt. The sunset and a rock to sit on after a long day of schlepping have a deep theology on offer which couldn’t be contained in the many books I’ve read on the topic of spirituality.
-“We are afraid of losing what we have, whether it’s our life or our possessions and property. But this fewar evaporates when we understand that our life stories and the history of the world were written by the same hand” (79). As an agnostic with an education and history of biblical studies, this sort of welcoming, simple wisdom is encouraging. Coelho doesn’t ask you to convert to his philosophy, but simply to engage.
-“You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it’s better to listen to what it has to say. That way you’ll never have to fear an unanticipated blow” (134). This is a main theme: listen to your heart, keep your eyes open to the world, remain present in your experiences, welcome omens as guideposts, avoid artificial absolutes. The shepherd in this passage goes on to confess that his heart is afraid of suffering. His friend the alchemist responds, “Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. 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” (134). What a beautiful message that strikes me at a perfect time. I am hoping to pursue my heart’s dream of writing. “From then on, the boy understood his heart. He asked it, please, never to stop speaking to him. He asked that, when he wandered far from his dreams, his heart press him and sound the alarm. The boy swore that , every time he heard the alarm, he would heed its message” (136).
-“When we strive to become better an we are, everything around us becomes better, too...when we love, we always strive to become better than we are” (155).

This is a beautiful book that I will treasure, recommend, and re-read.

A
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Top reviews from other countries

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J. Rill
5.0 out of 5 stars A great 25 year-old book!
Reviewed in Brazil on March 29, 2024
I loved having the chance to read the 25th anniversary edition of this great book.
Vijay Lakhera
5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reviewed in Canada on March 20, 2024
An absolute masterpiece that weaves a mesmerizing tale of self-discovery and destiny. Paulo Coelho's enchanting storytelling takes you on a journey filled with profound wisdom and timeless lessons. The characters are beautifully crafted, and the narrative is both inspiring and thought-provoking. A literary gem that deserves every bit of its acclaim, The Alchemist is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and purpose in life.
One person found this helpful
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Grissara Santana
5.0 out of 5 stars Ideal para iniciar a leer!
Reviewed in Mexico on January 4, 2024
Lo compro por que estoy retomando el habito de la lectura y este es muy bueno para iniciar, el libro también lo compre en ingles para practicarlo mas. Ojo, el libro tiene “uneven pages” es a propósito y es parte de la edición de 25 años, para que no se asusten!
Stu Johnston
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant but Simple
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 30, 2024
Very simple but meaningful message in this book. More than once I felt emotionally overwhelmed, although I couldn’t explain why. Deffo worth reading; I managed it in 2 sittings. Highly recommend!
Nice product
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
Reviewed in Germany on April 25, 2024
Beautiful book!!!! Everyone should read it!