The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream
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The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Paulo Coelho (Author), Jeremy Irons (Narrator), HarperAudio (Publisher)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 148,792 ratings
#1 Best Seller in Metaphysical & Visionary Fiction
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Paulo Coelho's enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its simplicity and wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of treasure buried in 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 along the way But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a meditation on the treasures found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is art eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.
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  1. Listening Length
    4 hours
  2. Author
    Paulo Coelho
  3. Narrator
    Jeremy Irons
  4. Audible release date
    December 26, 2004
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    HarperAudio
  7. ASIN
    B000BO2D3C
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 4 hours
Author Paulo Coelho
Narrator Jeremy Irons
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date December 26, 2004
Publisher HarperAudio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B000BO2D3C
Best Sellers Rank #215 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#1 in Metaphysical & Visionary Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#1 in Metaphysical & Visionary Fiction (Books)
#14 in Literary Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
148,792 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

Susan
5.0 out of 5 stars A timeless classic of self-discovery!
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2024
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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.'
4 people found this helpful
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kaylawills
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic coming of age story
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2024
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I read this for the first time as a high school senior for my literature class. It made such an impact on me I bought it and I read it once a year. I even bought a copy for my younger sister her senior year and we read it out loud to each other. It’s a really great read I’ve even bought it as a gift for friends. It’s an excellent story and I encourage everyone to read it. Paulo Coelho inspires you to follow your personal destiny.
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James Okeze
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good read.
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2024
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I feel like this book does a lot of stringing along, but in a good way. There are many elements Paulo uses to help you self reflect and force you to think. What I really enjoyed about this book is that it's a one size fits all read. Great work Mr. COELHO!
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Mary walker
4.0 out of 5 stars The Alchemist
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2024
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This book had a slow start for me. It deserves a second reading to digest all that is within. Listen to your heart and follow its advice.
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Yolanda Bustamante
5.0 out of 5 stars A book for everyone
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2024
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This is a great book for everyone , I purchased and am on this quest for my own treasure. I love how you can also live through and understand scenarios . This book hits you in different ways , I’m 50 pages until finished and seen to not want to pick it up so it ends. However I just received Warrior of the Light which I’m sure is just as Amazing
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sailor John
5.0 out of 5 stars charming
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2024
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It is always a pleasure to read follow your dreams and believe in yourself. this is a delightful delivery of that message.
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Ralph Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Inspirational Text
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2024
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It took me YEARS to read the copy gifted to me while in college. After I finished the book, I bought this copy for my father for his 73rd birthday as he said that he hadn’t been inspired by much as of late. It changed his mindset! He now buys copies for his friends.
One person found this helpful
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Brian Driver
3.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but I think the ending is a betrayal
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2016
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As I write this I realize that I am talking about a modern classic, one that I must admit I did enjoy reading overall. But that said, I simply didn’t find this book to be as moving a book as I thought I would.

The novel tells a simple though interesting tale about a boy’s attempts to search for a treasure revealed to him in multiple dreams. Along the way he encounters many people and situations that enable him to learn and grow spiritually, aided by either his clever and inquisitive mind or the guidance of others who effectively serve as mentors.

For the most part, I did like THE ALCHEMIST. I enjoyed the simple style of writing and the stripped-down nature of the tale. We don’t get into the “five senses” kind of environmental description – Coelho’s tale is more of a parable at its heart, and in fact is a story OF the heart and of the mind. I also admired the central character as well: Santiago is not only aptly named, but he is a likable boy full of pleasant good will and a gentle disposition, ready to work and clever when it comes to the things one must do to succeed. He is also brave, and remains positive whether things are going well or they are not, choosing to do the best he can at whatever hand he is dealt by life.

Here, however, comes the problem. While I felt that the book worked for a good deal of the story, it weakened a bit toward the end. Part of it was the story’s mumbo-jumbo manner of religiosity; while I understood the author’s decision to tackle his subject in this simple, unadorned manner, it didn’t hold up at times. Certainly, the notion that there is a hidden one-ness at the heart of all matter is a notion that works well through a simplistic style, a la the clean, stripped-down beliefs at the heart of innocents or the way we conceptualize the purity of, say, the Native Americans culture when it came to nature. But when the boy began addressing the wind and other elements (a point I’ll get to further in a moment), it really broke down for me. It stretched credulity, reducing Nature to a kind of repertory theater. I will speak further on this scene in a second.

HERE I ONE ASPECT THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A SPOILER – SKIP THIS PARAGRAPH.
What I particularly disliked about THE ALCHEMIST is that I felt it broke its own rules. Again, I’m discussing the ending here, so beware. It bothered me that the ending should have been a point when the boy’s budding spirituality took its hold upon the lad. I ask: why would a person who is in essence learning so much about what really matters about life still keep seeking money? His interest in gold is not the same as the alchemist’s interest in it: the elder character is a man who can manipulate the elements in a near-magical manner, a process he leaves the boy to discover for himself (like when he fact almost comically abandons him to magically “make like the wind” for men who will otherwise kill him – comical because once the alchemist places the boy IN the situation, he simply goes off to play with his birds. And one more thing: while the twist at the end was clever, it disappointed me for two reasons: the first, for point I made above, but the second is trickier. The boy learns that the truth the material treasure HE sought is NOT there; it is, he learns, where the OTHER character says it is. Clever, sure… but is the author telling us the other character’s “information” is more true? Why is that? Was it that the other boy was favored? OR, which is probably more true, is it because whatever force it is that imparts such “wisdom” does so knowing that one boy WILL follow his heart and the other won’t. Think: if the other boy does follow his quest then Santiago’s info is going to be wrong. But IF things are meant to work out the way they actually do, then is Coelho indeed telling us that these actions were predetermined? This sends, I think, the opposite message the author wants to send.

THE ALCHEMIST is a book that people will enjoy for its simple values, and the tale of this young boy’s spiritual quest has satisfied many. While I too enjoyed it and liked the boy, I ultimately felt a bit disappointed in what I felt to be a contrived ending. Though I initially liked the twist at the end, the story could have ended on that exact moment and left me happier. As it is, I felt the final portion of the boy’s quest betrayed his AND the author’s intentions, which hurt the novel for me.
6 people found this helpful
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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
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I loved having the chance to read the 25th anniversary edition of this great book.
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Vijay Lakhera
5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reviewed in Canada on March 20, 2024
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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.
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Grissara Santana
5.0 out of 5 stars Ideal para iniciar a leer!
Reviewed in Mexico on January 4, 2024
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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!
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Stu Johnston
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant but Simple
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 30, 2024
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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!
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Nice product
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
Reviewed in Germany on April 25, 2024
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Beautiful book!!!! Everyone should read it!
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