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The Alchemist Paperback – April 25, 1993

by Paulo Coelho (Author), Alan R. Clarke (Translator)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 4,074 ratings
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"My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up at the moonless sky." 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."

The Alchemist is 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. From his home in Spain he journeys to the markets of Tangiers and across the Egyptian desert to a fateful encounter with the alchemist.

The story of the treasures Santiago finds along the way teaches us, as only a few stories have done, 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.

Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. The Alchemist is such a book. With over a million and a half copies sold around the world, The Alchemist has already established itself as a modern classic, universally admired. Paulo Coelho's charming fable, now available in English for the first time, will enchant and inspire an even wider audience of readers for generations to come.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    197 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    April 25, 1993
  4. Dimensions
    5.32 x 0.52 x 8 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    9780061122415
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0061122415
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A wise and inspiring fable about the pilgrimage that life should be.” (M. Scott Peck)

“An adventure story full of magic and wisdom.” (Rudolfo Anaya, author of Bless Me, Ultima)

“A touching, inspiring fable.” (Indianapolis Star)

“A magical little volume.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

“[This] Brazilian wizard makes books disappear from stores.” (New York Times)

“[His] books have had a life-enchanting effect on millions of people.” (London Times)

“A beautiful story with a pointed message for every reader.” (Joseph Girzone, author of Joshua)

“As memorable and meaningful as Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince.” (Austin American-Statesman)

“A sweetly exotic tale for young and old alike.” (Publishers Weekly)

“A most tender and gentle story. It is a rare gem of a book.” (Gerald G. Jampolsky, M.D., co-author of Change Our Mind, Change Your Life)

“An entrepreneurial tale of universal wisdom we can apply to the business of our own lives.” (Spencer Johnson, M.D., co-author of The One-Minute Manager)

“A remarkable tale about the most magical of all journeys: the quest to fulfill one’s destiny.” (Anthony Robbins, author of Awaken the Giant Within)

From the Back Cover

"My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up at the moonless sky." 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."

Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. The Alchemist is such a book. With over a million and a half copies sold around the world, The Alchemist has already established itself as a modern classic, universally admired. Paulo Coelho's charming fable, now available in English for the first time, will enchant and inspire an even wider audience of readers for generations to come.

The Alchemist is 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. From his home in Spain he journeys to the markets of Tangiers and across the Egyptian desert to a fateful encounter with the alchemist.

The story of the treasures Santiago finds along the way teaches us, as only a few stories have done, 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.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0061122416
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins; First Edition (April 25, 1993)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 197 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780061122415
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0061122415
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.32 x 0.52 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 4,074 ratings

About the author

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Paulo Coelho

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

4.7 out of 5 stars
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4,074 global ratings
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5 Stars
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Fast shipping and well packed. The book was like new, big surprise :)I highly recommend!
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Top reviews from the United States

Aziz Dryden
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect read
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho is an inspirational story of Santiago, a youthful Spanish shepherd in the rolling hills of Andalusia. The boy has deep attachment with his flock but realizing that they are devoid of aesthetic sense and appreciation for nature which he beholds, loves and admires, the course of his life changes. His parents' life is associated with struggle in a country which people from far away fantasize and romanticize but for them it's not a place of dream and charm.
Story starts with a dream followed by a series of adventures ultimately leads to resolution. His time is consumed in herding, reading and dreaming of travelling far-off places. He keeps getting same dream that there is treasure lying underneath the Egyptian pyramids. His encounter with a gypsy woman for consulting his dream gives story a new turn. He gets to know from her to follow omens. As the story moves the events get connected impeccably. Santiago's quest for treasure, soon his lucky encounter with old King who strengthens his beliefs about living his destiny, coming across mishaps and encounter with Fatima, a desert girl; all this leads him to personal legend that converges the idea of 'conspiring universe'. Personal legend is the key to living a successful and satisfying life as it is the destiny which one dreams of. He receives assistance from an alchemist who helps him understand his quest for accomplishing his dream. By time his belief grows and satisfaction nourishes as he is on right path. He comes to know "when you want something all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it".
Story deals with an internal conflict between his love and personal dreams but this novel ends up showing love as a supporting tool for achieving his dream. This is a beautiful idea that true love can prove to be a great stimulus when time comes. According to Coelho dreams have a price but not living your dreams has even a bigger price. The idea of seeking dreams is marvelous. Pursuing your dream and commiting to it makes the whole universe conspiring to give you what you want.
One of the dangerous hindrance described in the novel is fear. The fear of failure which stops us living our destiny. Overcoming this is a great victory as Coelho quoted "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 dreams because every second of the search is a second encounter with God and with eternity".
When Santiago is in desert he comes to know that he can turn base metals into gold. (Although the idea is not true in reality). It is also a bit overrated when alchemist turns lead into gold. It is not necessary that you agree each and every thing which Coelho has put into the novel. Instead your reason and rationale may oppose many things. But one has to have the ability to read between the lines. In spite of being very unreal it is a beautiful fable which has delighted millions around the world because of its thought provoking ideas of spirituality and destiny. Santiago while travelling understands the relation between man and nature. His quest and how he overcomes the obstacles of violence, confusion and despair is an encouraging pleasure for reader. The setting of novel is real but events are magical.
Some may find it a good piece to escape reality and some to understand reality. I highly recommend it to young readers as its conclusions directs it solves the purpose to make reader understand having faith in destiny which ultimately leads to achieving it.
20 people found this helpful
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Kevin
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Most Powerful Books Ever Written
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2012
Verified Purchase
Do not approach this story with the idea that Paulo Coelho is a master of prose. His simple style may turn off those more acquainted with bombastic, grandiose, or aggrandizing diction. Coelho's style can best be described as biblical. I personally love the simplistic, bold, and terse nature of the writing. If you cannot develop a taste for this style, at least understand the audience he was writing for. This book is, after all, has been translated into a huge number of languages worldwide. No doubt, a lot of Coelho's idiosyncrasies are lost in translation. Still, even after multiple reads it still manages to reach a level of near sublimity.

There has been a bit of criticism here on the comments. To me, none of them really hold much water. The main one is above, but there are a few others. One of them is the "male-centric storyline". If you have even begun reading Coelho's books, you will see that half or more were written on and about a woman protagonist (Brida, Veronica Decides to Die, etc). More to the point, a larger focus on men is unavoidable - after all the main character is male. That does not make this book any less applicable to women. This book does not distinguish between men and women when it comes to its main messages and themes. The protagonist could have just as easily been a woman. It would not make any difference.

The lack of character depth was also an obviously conscious decision on the part of Coelho to encourage the projecting of the reader onto the protagonist. Again, if you are familiar with Coelho's other work, you would know that he has at least some skill in developing his characters. The reader would be best treating this story less like the novel that it does not purport to be and more like a myth or fable.

The argument that it "advocates materialism" makes little sense to me. I suppose if materialism means having a strong work ethic, being persistent, and pursuing one's dreams - then yes it does. The book does not say money is the root of all evil. Perhaps that is what the critics want it to say. If you are familiar with Coelho's works you would again know that his philosophy is that of enjoying life and the company of friends. Coelho's tone towards wealth is neutral and he even shows how easily it can be taken away (three times). He does not advocate strong attachment to money - and certainly not materialism.

This book is not for everyone, but I do know it is for most. It tells a universal message in a universal style. This message can be applied to all genders, ages, ethnicities, and creeds. Those looking for a book that can help them look smart would be best served looking elsewhere. This book revels in minimalism. Those looking for cynicism would best served looking elsewhere. You will only find an uplifting story here.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Aly Jamal
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story, inspirational and easy to read.
Reviewed in Canada on March 30, 2017
Verified Purchase
I bough this book after seeing an interview with Will Smith who highly recommended the book; it's pretty funny because the host mentioned that sales on amazon would go up from his endorsement, just as I was about to make the purchase. I would highly recommend this book to everyone! It's a wonderful story that will motivate you, inspire you and make you look at things in a different, more positive light in everyday life. It's also a real easy read, I got through it in a day and I'm not a big reader.
4 people found this helpful
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Sainnah Benzerrouk
5.0 out of 5 stars Ce livre est excellent!
Reviewed in France on July 30, 2015
Verified Purchase
J'ai adoré je le conseil vivement! Cet auteur est très talentueux! J'ai découvert ce livre grâce à une interview de Will Smith dans une émission américaine. Je ne suis pas déçue
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Adelgunde K.
5.0 out of 5 stars The Alchemist
Reviewed in Germany on September 17, 2013
Verified Purchase
Ein wunderbares Buch, für jeden eine Bereicherung und lebensgestaltend. Paulo Coehlo ist ein sehr guter Schriftsteller. Ich werde noch mehr Bücher von ihm lesen. 11 Minutes ist auch sehr zu empfehlen - es geht um die Sexualität der Frauen und sollte von allen Paaren gelesen werden.
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Nelly
5.0 out of 5 stars An absolutely beautiful read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
I have read this book over and over again! It changed my entire way of viewing the world, how we are all connected to it and to each other. It also made me want to read everything that Paolo Coelho has ever written lol. A wonderful author and true inspiration.
2 people found this helpful
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Marcy
5.0 out of 5 stars Used but looks brand new!
Reviewed in Canada on March 24, 2024
Verified Purchase
Expected to be stained like in the photo and cannot find anything wrong with it! THANK YOU
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