The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream is the global best-selling story about the journey of an Andalusian shepherd boy, named Santiago, and his quest to follow his dream. The story begins with Santiago, who keeps having recurring dreams of a young child telling him that there is a treasure in the Egyptian Pyramids. Since the dream comes to him on numerous occasions, curiosity motivates Santiago to follow his dream and begin a journey to find the treasure.
Along his way to follow his dream, Santiago meets individuals that teach him lessons throughout the journey. A key lesson that Santiago learns in the beginning of his journey is the idea of Personal Legend. This concept is introduced to him by a wise king named Melchizedek, who explains to him the idea of Personal Legend is that at a young age, everyone knows their dream, and what they are meant to accomplish in their life. The old king also goes on to explain, "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it". The Personal Legend is intertwined throughout the book and is the underlying theme throughout Santiago's journey.
Another individual he meets his named Fatima, and she teaches him to follow his heart, and that when one follows their heart they will find their fortune. An alchemist meets Santiago later in his journey and goes into further depth about Personal Legend and how it is essential to fully understand one's own dream. More individual's throughout the story teach Santiago key lessons in his quest to find the treasure.
The story of Santiago's journey is meant to awaken an individual's aspirations and inspire them to pursue their own dreams. The idea of Personal Legend is the main theme of the story and how by wanting something the universe will help us conspire to achieve that dream.
Paulo Coelho was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and by his early teenage years knew his own Personal Legend was to become a writer. Due to his parent's negative reaction to the idea, he went to law school instead of pursuing his passion for writing. After enrolling in law school, he quickly dropped out and lived an off the grid life, filling his life with travel and self-development. He soon had a spiritual awakening and decided to follow his dream and become a writer. In following his dream, he wrote The Alchemist, which has gone on to become an international best seller, and has been translated into more than 70 different languages.
"The Alchemist to me is a fictional adaptation of the secret. Rather than stating things as plainly as you get what you attract, it takes you on an adventure where that message unfolds before you. This book has a way of making you connect to the main character while having you reflect on your own purpose in life. The narrator of the book also did a fantastic job!! Very good read."
— Calvin (5 out of 5 stars)
“[This] Brazilian wizard makes books disappear from stores.”
— New York Times“A wise and inspiring fable about the pilgrimage that life should be.”
— M. Scott Peck“A magical little volume.”
— San Francisco Chronicle“A touching, inspiring fable.”
— Indianapolis Star" Absolutely loved this story and it was great to listen to before bedtime. A must read! "
— Gerri, 2/12/2023" The Alchemist is a wonderful book that teaches us how to look at life the universal way. It is amazing to me how wonderful life is when you get in tune with the universe. Nature has a way to give us guidance, we just have to listen. "
— Carl, 2/18/2018" a very entertaining book that kept the whole family interested on our car trip "
— sunflower, 9/24/2017" I would recommend this book to anyone. Jeremy Irons does an excellent job. A must listen for all ages. "
— Sleepy, 8/14/2017" Simplistic and moralistic, but enjoyable "
— Terry, 2/1/2014" One of my fav of all the time! "
— Zarahi, 1/1/2014Paulo Coelho is a New York Times bestselling author. His books have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 68 languages and published in 150 countries. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious international awards and was inducted at the Brazilian Academy of Letters in 2002. In 2007 he was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace by the UN Secretary-General.
Jeremy Irons is one of fewer than a dozen actors to have won the Triple Crown of Acting: an Oscar, Emmy, and Tony award, with a Golden Globe thrown in for good measure. His distinctive, haunting voice has seen him cast as the villain in many a movie, though his abundant work in both film and theater has garnered him many leading roles as well. Among his many film credits are Kingdom of Heaven, Being Julia, The Man in the Iron Mask, The Lion King, and Die Hard 3: With a Vengeance.