As you know throughout the month of July we shall be discussing my book “The Alchemist”.
Throughout the week, I will be accessing this page 2-3 times a day in order to answer your questions until July 31st. I want also for you discuss among yourselves – since I’m very curious to see your reactions to the book.
I wrote a foreword for the 10th anniversary edition of the book and I would like to post it here as an introduction to the book:
Ten Years On
I remember receiving a letter from the American publisher, Harper Collins, which said that: “reading The Alchemist was like getting up at dawn and seeing the sun rise while the rest of the world still slept.” I went outside, looked up at the sky and thought to myself: “So, the book is going to be published in English!” At the time, I was struggling to establish myself as a writer and to follow my path despite all the voices telling me it was impossible.
And little by little, my dream was becoming reality. Ten, a hundred, a thousand, a million copies sold in America. One day, a Brazilian journalist phoned to say that President Clinton had been photographed reading the book. Some time later, when I was in Turkey, I opened the magazine Vanity Fair and there was Julia Roberts declaring that she adored the book. Walking alone down a street in Miami, I heard a girl telling her mother: “You must read The Alchemist!”
The book has been translated into 67 languages, has sold more than 65 million copies, and people are beginning to ask: What’s the secret behind such a huge success?
The only honest response is: I don’t know. All I know is that, like Santiago the shepherd boy, we all need to be aware of our personal calling. What is a personal calling? It is God’s blessing, it is the path that God chose for you here on Earth. Whenever we do something that fills us with enthusiasm, we are following our legend. However, we don’t all have the courage to confront our own dream.
Why?
There are four obstacles. First: we are told from childhood onwards that everything we want to do is impossible. We grow up with this idea, and as the years accumulate, so too do the layers of prejudice, fear and guilt. There comes a time when our personal calling is so deeply buried in our soul as to be invisible. But it’s still there.
If we have the courage to disinter dream, we are then faced by the second obstacle: love. We know what we want to do, but are afraid of hurting those around us by abandoning everything in order to pursue their dream. We do not realize that love is just a further impetus, not something that will prevent them going forwards. We do not realize that those who genuinely wish us well want us to be happy and are prepared to accompany us on that journey.
Once we have accepted that love is a stimulus, we come up against the third obstacle: fear of the defeats we will meet on the path. We who fight for our dream, suffer far more when it doesn’t work out, because we cannot fall back on the old excuse: “Oh, well, I didn’t really want it anyway.” We do want it and know that we have staked everything on it and that the path of the personal calling is no easier than any other path, except that our whole heart is in this journey. Then, we warriors of light must be prepared to have patience in difficult times and to know that the Universe is conspiring in our favor, even though we may not understand how.
I ask myself: are defeats necessary?
Well, necessary or not, they happen. When we first begin fighting for our dream, we have no experience and make many mistakes. The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.
So, why is it so important to live our personal calling if we are only going to suffer more than other people?
Because, once we have overcome the defeats – and we always do – we are filled by a greater sense of euphoria and confidence. In the silence of our hearts, we know that we are proving ourselves worthy of the miracle of life. Each day, each hour, is part of the good fight. We start to live with enthusiasm and pleasure. Intense, unexpected suffering passes more quickly than suffering that is apparently bearable; the latter goes on for years and, without our noticing, eats away at our soul, until, one day, we are no longer able to free ourselves from the bitterness and it stays with us for the rest of our lives.
Having disinterred our dream, having used the power of love to nurture it and spent many years living with the scars, we suddenly notice that what we always wanted is there, waiting for us, perhaps the very next day. Then comes the fourth obstacle: the fear of realizing the dream for which we fought all our lives.
Oscar Wilde said: ‘each man kills the thing he loves’. And it’s true. The mere possibility of getting what we want fills the soul of the ordinary person with guilt. We look around at all those who have failed to get what they want and feel that we do not deserve to get what we want either. We forget about all the obstacles we overcame, all the suffering we endured, all the things we had to give up in order to get this far. I have known a lot of people who, when their personal calling was within their grasp, went on to commit a series of stupid mistakes and never reached their goal – when it was only a step away.
This is the most dangerous of the obstacles because it has a kind of saintly aura about it: renouncing joy and conquest. But if you believe yourself worthy of the thing you fought so hard to get, then you become an instrument of God, you help the Soul of the World and you understand why you are here.
So, let’s embark in the discussion of my book for the up-coming month.
Love
Paulo
dear grandpa,
i think it would be very bad to call you by name
you are truly inspiring me.
i have completed my aircraft engineering last year
due to global recession it was tough to get job
mean time i read alchemist
it realy boosted me specialy that story the man who was in search of emerald and given up at the last stone.
by the thought that it should not happen to me i am realy trying hard in my life & things are getting realy easy to me.
have you ever visited mumbai (India)
it will be pleasure meeting my inspiration
love
yatin
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SIR,i want to have some advice…..i will clearify myself with an example…..in the book alchemy by YOU ….there r two persons ….one is the shepherd and other is the englishman…..while englishman spent his ten years reading and researching about alchemy….it took a long time for him to reach his destiny…..while shepherd ,whose aim wasnt to be an alchemist but to have the trasure and spent life with his love was more successful in the end……
so my question is if it is really requird to study a lot & pursue alchemy or learning through life experiences and trying to understand the god’s language through nature is the correct way as it teaches us the lessons of humanity and wisdom also….
and my aim is not to become an alchemist but to have the great wisdoms of universe…..please reply to my query….
good day……..
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From my childhood I wished to be an aviator,but my parents never wished it for their daughter. And today I’m a software Engineer, I stll dream about cockpits and parajumps. Still I’m not sure how will i full fill my destiny (thinking that its my destiny).
Alchemist is the only book which gives me hope, each and every time.
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Una belleza de lección
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Jo Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 12:11 am
Hi, Mr. Coehlo.
I have a question: What if our dream really does hurt someone else? Well-wishers or not, how do we justify it?
I guess this is the problem I’m having with The Alchemist. I admire the sentiment behind it, and these four obstacles, they make a lot of sense, but I keep thinking of ‘buts’.
You’re right, clearly everything is not impossible. But how do we find our Personal Legend when we are constantly being dissuaded from finding it? My mother was telling me about a prolific female composer who worked around the turn of the century, Amy Beach, a sort of musical savant. Supposedly (and I say that because I report this as a story, not having accurately researched it myself) her mother kept her from playing the piano, which she dearly loved, to discipline her. Had it not been for an aunt who recognized her immense talent, who’s to say she ever would have been able to truly embrace her talent? (Her husband, though, was of the same ilk as her mother, unfortunately.)
Anyways, as I was saying before, how do we find it? Trial and error would take far too long, many lifetimes, and so I’m forcibly reminded of Thoreau’s somewhat depressing statement that “the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Is it that mass of men who have never found their calling, their Personal Legends? It is well and good to read about Santiago’s fantastic journey, but is it applicable? Perhaps those men are like the crystal merchant, though; they know what their Personal Legend is, but they choose to admire it from a distance, I guess. I am apt to think differently. While it is no doubt true it is innate within us (‘it’ meaning our Personal Legends), or genetic, I don’t think we all necessarily realize it.
The next question I have is, if and when we find our Personal Legends, will we recognize them? It’s entirely possible that, when we do finally come across it, the people we love will try to dissuade us. Is it ever for our own good that we be dissuaded from following our Personal Legend?
I realize I ask a lot of questions and perhaps do this simply because I lack the insight to answer them myself, satisfactorily. That is to say, I have tentative answers in my head, but they only leave me with more questions. The thing is, The Alchemist takes on life; its themes are universal and gigantic, its quest or journey is ultimately one of self-fulfillment. I think it’s fair to question the book then, because of its sheer magnitude and impact on our lives and the lives of those around us. I don’t question its value, because it is true that people should strive to fulfill their Personal Legends. I just can’t decide if Santiago’s methods, while it makes for an accessible tale, are really applicable to the vast population of people.
I like these ideas, but perhaps I’m too cynical to follow them myself. But then I’m forced to ask myself if it’s cynicism, realism or resignation that causes me to say and do that? I’m not sure, but I’m in no rush to find out.
Thank you,
Jo
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sarah Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 3:07 am
I am having the same questions that Jo is having. These four obstacles that everyone must face on the journey to accomplishing or discovering their Personal Legend seem pretty daunting to someone of weak heart and weak mind. When one realizes his or her Personal Legend, they have to be concious of who and where they are and how their abscence would affect everthing/one if they left. Once you’ve realized your Personal Legend, it’s enevitable that you’ll think about the ‘buts’. Even Santiago thinks about all that before he leaves on his quest for his Personal Legend. He makes sure his sheep are all set by selling them and he says goodbye to Fatima rather than just disappearing on her even though he knows that she would understand. As important as one’s Personal Legend is to them, I don’t think it’s necessary to just get up and go follow it without any second thoughts. Second thoughts usually give perspective on something that may be irrational. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think that going for one’s Personal Legend is irrational, but I think that one needs to consider the four obstacles before diving into the possible abyss or their holy space.
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Coelho explains the four obstacles between us and our dream, our Personal Legend. I find that I agree with his description of these four obstacles, as I have witnessed evidence of them in not only The Alchemist but in class discussion and my own life. First, there is the accumulation of things that make it impossible for us to achieve our dreams- we count our lifestyle, our jobs, our “short term goals” that become our only ones, the expectations that others have of us. But this accumulation is really only the thickening and callousing of the world’s greatest lie. Here, Coelho explains it as the notion that from childhood onwards, we are told that everything we want to do is impossible. In The Alchemist, he explains the world’s greatest lie to be that, “at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what’s happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate” (18). In the book, we see the effect of this lie on several people, notably the baker. The baker has always wanted to travel, but he puts his short term goals ahead of him to make money. Then he realizes that other people will think more of a baker than of a traveller such as a shepherd. His beliefs make it impossible for him to achieve his dreams: “In the long run, what people think about shepherds and bakers becomes more important for them than their own Personal Legends” (23). In our lives today, the same sad pattern occurs. We look at what we’re expected to be doing right now- whether that’s graduating from highschool or college, finding a job, keeping one, saving up for a car, starting a family, supporting one, whatever. Because we live on this timeline established by society and the ideas it places in our heads, we have no time to pursue our Personal Legends. A dream is not something that you can schedule into your lunch break.
The next obstacle that Coelho points out is the binding effect of love. Maybe we have found the courage to take the leap of faith and put off our immediate responsibilities to society in order to complete a larger obligation to the Soul of the World. Well one of the universal languages of the Soul is love, and we don’t want to hurt those around us with which we speak this language. Santiago confronts this obstacle in the desert, when he is faced with leaving Fatima. He has found his greatest treasure, and cannot imagine leaving it in the desert. Santiago can imagine himself staying in the oasis with Fatima and leading a “successful” life. But the alchemist points out to him that “love never keeps a man from pursuing his Personal Legend” (120), nor is it about possession. And in his blog, Coelho describes love as an impetus- a driving force that should move us toward the achievement of our dream, not hold us back. In my own life, I have realized that those who truly care about me and want me to be happy will help me towards my Personal Legend instead of holding me back for themselves.
The final two obstacles consist of the most personal struggles: once we have everything in place to partake in our journey, we must not let the fear of failure hinder us; and once we are in reach of our Personal Legend, we must have the courage to grab it. I don’t think I’m there yet in the journey for my own Personal Legend, but I can see where others might have the most difficulty with these two obstacles. For example, the crystal merchant in The Alchemist has let his fear, his pain, become his lifestyle. He has always dreamed of making his pilgrimage to Mecca, but he simply does not know what he would do were this to actually happen. He is afraid of what is beyond his Personal Legend… What do you do when your greatest dream becomes a reality? This is one question that I cannot yet answer, I can only hope that if/when I am confronted with this hurdle that I am able to draw from the wisdom of The Alchemist to realize my course of action.
Thank you.
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To the question “Are defeats necessary?”: I would say yes, they are. Without ever suffering a defeat we may begin to think that we are invincible. And I believe that to think one is invincible is a fatal flaw. One must be able to understand that not everything will turn out for them. There may be setbacks along the way to their goal, but everything should turn out fine. If someone enters into their quest believing that they will be able to just cruise their way to the destination, and they encounter a bump in the road, that bump might cause that person to forgo their quest because that one defeat caused them to think the whole world was conspiring against them.
For Example, when Santiago is robbed upon his arrival in Tangier he suffers a defeat. And at first he does think that he is not destined to fulfill his personal legend, and he almost turns around and heads back to Spain so he can become a shepherd again. But then Santiago learns to accept his defeats because they are only steps along the path to his personal legend. By learning to accept these defeats Santiago’s final victory is even sweeter.
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Universal language has been a reoccurring idea in The Alchemist and Coelho seems to have transcended the communication barriers within the written word, as his book has been published in many languages and the poignancy of the novel does not seem to have been lost in translation. For all its simplicity and familiarity, The Alchemist seems to inspire all kinds of people. Coelho has crafted a novel that applies to everyone: the people who are not living an adventure, and need someone to tell them to go out and find that personal legend of theirs, and also the people who have defied everyone to do what they want and love the approval and sense of righteousness this novel allows them. People who think as well as people who act have a desire to find their personal legend, and reach the happy ending we all covet. Though I don’t identify with all of the themes in The Alchemist, I admire Coelho’s skill in using alchemy, the art of separation, as a tool of unification.
The ideas of fate, destiny, and maktub have the power to give fresh light to a situation that seems to have gone all wrong. For Santiago, these larger forces conspire together to assist him on his journey, but what about people who have their doubts about such forces? If I don’t believe in destiny, but it does in fact exist, is my life still guided by it?
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Dear Paulo,
The last time I was thinking a lot about the Alchimsit. I read the Alchemist several years ago. But I had to think again and again about the Alchemist. I was thinking often about the Alchimist. Sometimes you are always thinking about something, but you don`t know why. You even do not remember when you had this idea the first time. I could`n`t stop thinking about the Alchemist. Well then I decided to read again the book. I bought again the Alchemist and decided to read your book, but just one chapter a day. I want to enjoy the Alchemist…. Maybe it is a sign…
In my life I am in a point where I have to decide which way to go… How do you know which way you should follow?
Thank you for your books, your ideas, your soul in your books.
Gül
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Wow, what a truley amazing book. It was given to me as a gift from a fellow collegue, and what a gift it has been to my soul. Never have i felt so releived, I often think about things such as destiny and meaning, and with the crowd of people i have around- i felt different,but after that book, i feel alive and have bought every single book You have released here in South Africa.
We all have a destiny, but I think we need to beleive in one for it to be what it is suppose to be… we will realize sign/omens along the way… God shows us things, we just need to open our eyes :)
Much Respect xxx
Sharee
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sir, i have recently finished reading the alchemist second time. Its awesome book .Very very inspiring but i have certain doubts
the concept of destiny troubles me. how do we know we are on our way to destiny or not? does the destiny really exist? if it exist then what happens to the concept of will power of man to move against the tide.
i would also like to know if any one really come across and realised that it was omen. how do we know soul of the universe? how do i know what is my destiny? often i start a thing and then i wonder is it worth time and effort.
i m sorry if these doubts sound silly but please clear my doubts. thank you
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Christian Dicker Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 3:42 am
This question of destiny versus freewill is a very important one in The Alchemist. From what I gather in your post, you seem to feel that The Alchemist is strongly advocating in favor of destiny. I on the other hand would say that The Alchemist is arguing the opposite or a combination between the two. The constant mention of “maktub” is not to say that a person has no power over what happens to them, but rather to establish a common misconception by the human race. Much like the world’s greatest lie is a lie that most everyone tells themselves when they don’t want to sacrifice in order to achieve their personal legend, “maktub” is a word that people use when they don’t want to be responsible for the bad or even the good things that happen in their life. I would argue that people use this word, “maktub,” in order to justify the worlds greatest lie to themselves because they don’t want to be responsible if their own personal legend is not achieved. Early in the book, I feel that this would be a hard concept to grasp, but when Santiago becomes the wind, it really solidifies itself for me. The one hand that people refer to when they say, “maktub,” is seen mainly as a mystical being, but Santiago really personalizes it and realizes that the soul of the world is his own soul and that the one hand is his own hand. This tells me that although the future may be written, we are the ones that write our own future, because we are part of the soul of the world. I, personally, have very different beliefs when it comes to destiny and freewill, but they are laced with science and do not relate to The Alchemist, so I will leave them out of this post.
On the topic of omens. I came across one thing in particular that I believed to be an omen. In the course of two days I was plagued by very bad drivers. I was almost hit twice, people were speeding, and people were tailgating me. I have pretty much no experience with omens, but I sort of felt like someone was trying to tell me that I shouldn’t drive for a while. Needless to say, I continued driving and nothing happened. I’m not saying that they don’t exist, but only that I probably don’t have enough experience to notice or interpret one.
In my understanding of The Alchemist, I was led to believe that the soul of the universe is actually our own soul. So, in order to know the soul of the universe we must know ourselves. This task is much more difficult than it sounds.
As for how you know what your destiny is, I don’t think that I am qualified to give you an answer for that. In fact, I don’t think that anyone is qualified except for you. You could try looking at your aspirations or your passions in life, but I think that it probably differs from person to person. Some people may fall into their destiny, like the candy seller. Others may see it in a dream, like Santiago. I have no idea what my destiny is, and although I would some day like to find it, I am in no hurry. I hope that my response helped you find the meaning that you were looking for in The Alchemist. It certainly helped me organize my own thoughts and for that, I thank you.
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Dear Mr. Paulo Coelho,
I was really pleased to have accessed your website since I really have this great respect for you as an author and through this, I will get to know you better. Your books have a profound impact in my life especially the Alchemist which helped me in my decision to fight the good fight and in pursuing my personal legend. I had always found passion in writing but never have the courage to pursue it as a career since my parents have wanted me to find a suitable course that will help me become financially stable. I still had that flame burning inside my heart to become a poignant and prolific writer just like you.During the time I was reading your book, I was on the verge of making a life-changing decision on my career. I planned to resign in the real estate company where I was working for almost 3 years to take up nursing, I’m a bit hesitant because thus means I have to face the unknown and leave everything that is familiar. I asked God to give me a sign and when I read the Alchemist I find the right answers to my questions.I never regretted in choosing this path despite the many obstacles because I know there’s a purpose why I’ve been led to this road even though its a very different road apart from my original dream of becoming a writer.But despite this, I still had this passion of writing still burning inside me and I know that I can only feel satisfaction when I will pursue it. I just want to thank you for the inspiration you gave to your readers through your books. Your God-given talent has really made a difference in the lives of the people you have touched. You have manage to unite different cultures and languages. May God continue to inspire you and extend your radiance to others. I hope that one day you would also visit the Philippines. Many filipinos like me have a profound admiration for you as a writer and in your ideals. I hope to be in your book-signing where I can meet you in person. May God bless you and your family always sir.Salamat! (thank you in filipino)
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Sir,
I recently read your ‘The Alchemist’ and found it very interesting. I need some help with my life decisions-
I have met with many failures. I am an engineer by qualification but in the midst of engineering I recognized that I couldn’t touch extremes in this field and there only I started a networking business while pursuing my B.Tech. I again failed here and lastly, I finished my B.Tech without any job in my hand.I got into content writing job as writing has been my passion since my childhood and whenever I get to read about a writer, I feel very interested. My friends and family is pushing me towards the MBA degree which I don’t find my piece of cake.They say that you can’t survive by writing so you should go for an MBA. I am in a great dilemma….Please help!
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,qriechristine Reply:
November 11th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Qs qn engineer thqt studied behind the university; zhich is ,y piece of cqke I just need to qdd the cherry on top; ?y auestion is the follozing should the cherry be kept on ,y right or on ,y left or si,ply in the ,iddle thqt is the other option: Zriting qs q journo ,ight be so,ething I like to consider: Editor titles ) I re,e,ber Helping so,eone choosing q title ) he zon q, qzqrd zith it:
qs i q, pondering the auestion I ,ight zqnt to qsk for qn honest opinion zriting ,y story is qnother option: it is zell on his zqy: I q, qlso interested in the histor ,never hqd been before of zhere i co,e fro, there is q story qbout the cqthqre tgheqt i find auite pertinent i believe history repeqts itself qnd thqt ze hqve been here before so thqt ,ight explqin zhy ze reconignise stories qnd people pqssing by in our lives: it hqs q sense of dejq vu
I q, not too sure hoz you go qbout I hqve q big vision of the zhole thing hozever zhenever i try to do so,ething qbout it pfft i go qlong using ,y big ,outh ) so,eti,es i donmt even reqlise i hqve ,qde q booboo or q so cqll one until i q, liying in the bed hqving q good lqugh qt it ) zhen i ,ix the lqnguqges together there is such q zeqlth thqt co,es out: its precious: iù, hqving q bqll zith it ) i, not listening to zhqt people qre sqying qnylonger i cqn see ,ost of the ti,e zether they qre genuine or not I hqve been qble to feel it for donkeys so it s nothing %nez under the sun%
I, co,fortqble the zqy iù, feeling noz iùve put so,e old frq,es qzqy ) in the deleted ite,s ) i felt q greqt relief i, telling ,y story %like It is% u like it u like it y donmt u dontù i knoz thqt i hqve been true to ,yself this ti,e qnd nd thqt is qll tghqt ,qtters:
iù, enjoying doing the trqnslqtions on this site it is not thqt iù, looking for recognition itùs becquse i like it ) cùest co,,e cq ) in fqct it hqs been q big help zhen i q, feeling dozn ) q bit like q booster ) hee hq ) i notice qfter i do q bit of it ,y ,ind zqnders in different qreqs qnd i forgot qll qbout those dqrk thoughts i hqd ) so i zould sqy thqt is hqs q therqpeutic effect ) does not send ,e in q trqnce or qnything like thqt: i then go qn listen to so,e ,usic; i get trqnsported into qnother zorld ) it is not i,portqnt zho i dreq, of or not ) it is just undertqking the %voyqge% thqt is i,portqnt to ,e:
I like to lqugh qs zell i hqve q zqrped sense of hu,our qnd i hqve leqrnt to develop it better since i hqve been onto thqt blog: i couold zrite ,uch ,ore in fqct so,eti,es iùll be qll over the plqce hozever i donùt zqnt to ,onopolise:
see iù, auite shy qs ,y singing teqcher sqid ) thqt threz ,e totqlly out ) qnd i stqrted crying becquse she hqd zorked ,e out; by the zqy i reqlly like her too:
on hu,qn rights i believe ze hqve to protect the little children qnd so,eti,es the qdults the zo,en qs zell: i believe there is q difference betzeen behqving in q certqin zqy zhen you qre unconscious qnd behqving zith ,qlice qnd nqstiness zhen you qre fully qzqre; this to ,y ,ind is unforgetqble: i believe zhqt i hqd to endure over the lqst yeqrs qve been inhu,qne :
you cqn hold q grudge over so,eone for hqving hurt you in the pqst hozever to go to the point of torture no zqy:
i q, hqppy to qccet the blq,e for (à ( of it hozever to put it qll onto ,e is going to the extre,e: i q, not perfect fqr fro, it je suis chiqnte ,qid jq,qis je nùqurqi pense aue auelauùun puisse fqire auelaue chose dùqussi inhu,qin: celq ,ùq prise totqlle,ent pqr surprise: je ne suis pqs une victi,e jùqccepte ,q pqrt ,qis une chose est certqine je ne suis pqs prete q ,e lqisser fqire; dùqilleurs celq q ete ,on proble,e toute ,q vie cùest aue tout le ,onde voulqit ,ettre son grqin de sel sqns ,e de,qnder ,on opinion :
je suis zeird je le sqis : je sqis egqle,ent aue jùqi du potentiel:
je suis fiere de tout ce aue jùqi qppris sur ce blog: je peux presaue tout lire en lmitqlien; en portugqis choses zue je ne sqvqis pqs etre cqpqble du tout et sqns oublier lq poesie : jùqi recu un bon qpprentissqge sur lq philoosophie lùqppreciqtion de lùqrt et plein dùqutres bonnes choses ,erci
jùqi eu lùi,pression souvent dmùetre ,ql co,prise jùqi pqrfois de lq difficulte q expri,er ,on ressenti ) auoiaue je le fqsse ,ieux en ecrivqnt: cùest biwqrre co,,e je squte dùune lqngue q lùqutre le cervequ est un veritqble ordinqteur: je crois pouvoir dire aue je suis vrqi,ent une citoyenne du ,onde je vois des connections pqrtout je ,ùinteresse q tout en fqit il nùy qpqs de difference entre nous squf celles aui nous sont i,posees pqr lq societe: tout le reste nmest auùune illusion:le cqncer q declqnche auelaue chose cùest ,oi: je nùqurqis jq,qis du lùqvoir: qh si je sqvqis tout ce aue je sqis q present§ tout nùest pqs perdu ) il y q les nouvelles generqtions et si on joue bien on peut les squver ) cùest ce aue je crois:
je veux dire un ,ot sur lq folie ) je suis contente auùelle ,soit venue ,e chercher:cùest un bon signe aui ,ontre aue lq ùsoi)disqntù ,qlqdie ,entqle :::pqr lùq,our:et non pqr lq violence:
Venir sur ce site q ete pour ,oi ,q une benediction: et ce nùest pqs le hqsqrd aui q fqit celq ) jùen suis convqincues:
voilq un q nutshell ,on histoire jmqi fqit du ,ieux aue jmqi pu qvec les outils aue jmqvqis: I q, zhqt I q, nothing else
I appreciqte everything you hqve done for ,e pqulo this hqs been qzso,e you qre so cleever qnd u still ,qke ,e lqugh I zould like to tqlk ezith you if I cqn qnd if i cqnùt thqnk you fro, the botto, of ,y heqrt you hqve q fqn in,e i love you deqrly
beijos
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Sunny Reply:
November 12th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Sir,
I could not understand ur reply completely, I think because of the keyboard fault. Plz, can you write it again.
Thank you
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Depois de ler “O Diário de um mago” que por sinal é muito bom e entrou na minha vida na hora exata (só resolvi ler Paulo Coelho na fase adulta da vida, se tivesse lido o Diário de um mago antes, não teria entendido nada), achei o livro “O Alquimista” muito fraco, colocar um pipoqueiro em época de reis, literalmente foi muito insano.
Mas valeu a intenção do autor em falar sobre os verdadeiros valores da vida.
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Mr. Coelho, I’ve read The Alchemist and it has made me think on what my calling is in life. i am in a middle of a transition in my career…I’m in a phase where I know not where I want to go but all i know is i want to try something different. I guess, fear of failure is an obstacle for me especially now that life is financially unstable for my family and I. I am hopeful that within the next year, i can finally find what I am looking for and know which path I am going to take.
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I love the alchemist…..its so amazing that so many people feel the same about this book. When I meet new people and we starts to talk about books and found out that we have read the alchemist, its like there is an invisible contact between us.
it’s like to dance with a stranger without having to talk to each other.
Love
Sarita
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The Alchemist took me on a journey that I will never forget! Joy..!! :D
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o livro alquimista é como um portal que nos leva ao reino fa fantasia, onde tudo se torna possivel.Quando lemos a hisotória, sentimos, sofremos, e sonhamos junto com o personagem, além de ser uma bela historia, nos faz ver quem realemnte somos, o nosso coração grita conosco, nossa alma pede por socorro, é como se nosso espirito se alimentasse junto com as paginas lidas, porque passamos a voltar a sonhar, a confiar em nós mesmos, em ver o mundo com outra cor. è simplesmente magico.
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Its a very long time ago that I have read The Alchemist, I’d love to read it again some time. (its still very clear in my memory)
What a beautifull book it was, my deeper feelings I would never be able to put in words, were put in words for me on a magical way.
A very good word for this book, magical.
For me the book has a lot of Truth in it. (with a Capital T)
It is written with such integrity that I cannot imagine anybody in the world not being amazed by this book.
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Dear Sir,
I am one of your million fans here in the Philippines, I am so thankful for the person who lent the book “The Alchemist” to me, with that i became an instant fan of yours. The Alchemist change my outlook in life especially on how to find our own legend. I’m also blessed how you relate biblical scriptures to the story. God bless you and continue inspiring us by your books and words of wisdom thru the net.
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hi
i wanna say that paulo coelho has rendered a great influence on my life, he has described the muslims in a very pragmatic manner, the way they kept their words, protect their guests and all that!
jus finished veronika decides to die- an awesome book!
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Dear Mr. Coelho,
I read your book, “The Alchemist” and found it simply fabulous. It was great and I loved it. It changed my approach towards dreams. Thank you for giving such a wonderful piece of work. keep it up.
love,
Feryal
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simply love each n every inspiring words of the book.the most wonderful book i have ever read which change the way of my life!!!!!!!
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dear sir,
i am one of the many fans you have here in the philippines. once i got hold of your book, the alchemist, i vowed to collect all of the books you have written. i admire how each book, at one point, relates to the other book. i am truly blessed how you have related biblical scriptures in it. truly inspiring.
keep it up sir! may the LORD continually bless you and all your endeavors.
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Hi. I am already aware of the ideas of the book as i have been reading about new age, saw The Secret, and What the Bleep do we know. I still loved the book, especially the end of the book. I read it just a few days ago. I personally think that people love it, because it reminds them, that there are things in life we can’t explain, there is always a sense of faith, like something is predestined, and it gives people an idea about how they begin with something and suddenly end up doing something else and realize that they are approaching something they really desired or something they really hated. By the way, how to people get to something they really hate and at the same time doing what they really want to? I liked a lot Veronica had decided to die and I loved that book, I read it at the “right moment” so to say. Now I’m reading El Demonio and Senora Prym, in spanish and I also read El Zahir. I love the way you end your books. Another part of the succes is the sincere manner in wich you write and the simple profound language. I am pleased to leave this message here. I think that I will read all your books, in spanish, because I also learn some spanish at the same time. ;) So there is a meaning there too, that i’ve only discovered your books receantly.
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Dear Mr. Paulo, you change my life…
I read and re-read all of your books all the time….you help me to understand myself and improve myself…Your books give a lot of idea and thoughts to think deep which help to find answers…
All the best………….
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sir thaanks
alchemist is the finest book i’ve read yet
for me it was the book which simply made me again feel the importance of god in my life
after getting the biggest setback in my life i got alchemist as one of the best friend in my life
simply thanxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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I read one of your books and it was marvolous.
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Dear Mr. Paulo, although here in Bangladesh it is very difficult to get hood of your books, i have got hold of em and i have finished them .. in a day
I Love your work, u spoke things that i long kept inside me.. thank u for making me feel that i am not alone
love
megan
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mr. coelho i love your books very much. at this time i read a bruxa de portobello and i would like to know how can i find the music you discribe at this book.
thank you
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Dear Mr. Paulo, you change my life…
I read and re-read all of your books all the time….you help me to understand myself and improve myself…Your books give a lot of idea and thoughts to think deep which help to find answers…
God Bless you, Mr. Paulo////
For nowdays one of my big wishes is to meet you and ask a lot of questions…
Thank you very much,
I am sure one day we shall meet…as you know “if you wish anything with all you heart, The Whole Universe will help you to come true your wish”…so…i wish it with all my heart!!!
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I just ouante tout pout maie free scent inn.
Just say in halo.
I enejoille vary mouche the rides.
I t touque mi plaices I add naiveur bin.
I laic toubie your connecsillon
Taupi que was guda for himagie nascion
I am singin in Rennes naou.
Hite gaive mi summa cinque tout synch a bout.
Hitis a man ou aile for laifeu.
sauris four the inglisheu
aveu gouda de.
Aimanouaile
:)
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marie-christine Reply:
October 30th, 2009 at 1:25 am
you do need a translator don’t you?
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I JUST FINISHED READING THE ALCHEMIST. I LOVED IT!
CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE DEATH OF NARCISSUS AND THE LAKE AND HOW IT RELATES TO RELATIONSHIPS IN OUR PURSUIT OF OUR PERSONAL LEGEND?
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I believe I’m responsible for a good 30 count of this book being sold. I discovered it a few years ago, and the moment I find out someone is a reader I immediately gift them my copy, and then have to replace mine. I suppose the smart thing to do would be to buy ahead! I find myself constantly referring to this masterfully written novel. As I tend to read everything in metaphors anyway, from the getgo I saw the obscurity. Still I had to reread several times to truly understand all the hidden context. I’ll be talking to someone in line at the grocery store, and think to myself that they remind me of the glass shopkeeper. Resigned to the life they believe was intended for them. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this beautiful piece of heaven with the world.
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Dear Mr Paulo, I have just finished reading your novel:” The Alchemist”. I heard a lot about this book. So, I was curious to read it. As I began reading, I could not stop. I felt that I was a hidden charecter who accompanied the shephard wherever he went and was encouraged to pursue my own “Personal Legend” of writing. As a poetess and short story writer, I dream of writing an immortal piece of literature and being read worldwide. I keep fighting for my dream. There are many obstacles, many factors that discourage you that the path is narrow and there are those who will block your way. Yet, I am fond of writing. I am addicted to reading and writing. I keeping convincing my self that I write because I enjoy writing. Reading your novel, encouraged me never to give up.
I like the fact that the shephard went away to look for his dream , while it was nearby. I thought about my own dream: how can it be nearby..?! Maybe, the net which made the world as one country, had made it so. I like the fact that your hero gained KNOWLEDGE as he persue his dream. Thank you for this marvellous novel. I’ll go on reading your books. Thank you for this chance of sharing our opinions about what we read. A great writers knows how to be attentive to every opinion.
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Fatima Afridi Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 6:46 am
dear rita,
i sincerely wish you good luck in persuing your dream.
and i encourage you to keep on trying…
one day you will be successfull
dont lose heart…have belief in urself………..
i just wanted to push you forward….so grab it….
screw up courage….
surely you can do it………i want to be the first person to recognize you as a writer.
anxiously awaiting your piece of writing……
peace
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I didn’t finish the book yet, but there is one question on my mind all the time: How do you know what your own legend is? Maybe I’ll find out soon enough, but I just needed to share this thought!
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Akunna Ogbu Reply:
October 25th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Eva-
When you’ve found it you’ll know you’ve found it. You’ll feel as if you could do it forever, and quite possibly for free. It’s almost like asking how do I know when I’ve found my soulmate? You’ll know.
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Den Rod Reply:
October 26th, 2009 at 12:30 am
Nice words of truth,
Thank you
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Gül Reply:
October 27th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
I was impressed by the Alchimist and the idea to have an own legend and to live a legend. After havin finished The Alchimist i was very optimistic…. But some time later it was in a way strange because I didn’t know my legend. Then several months later I forgot to think about may Legend. Again some months later: I still do not know my legend… I am confused.. HOW DO I FIND MY OWN LEGEND?
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Carmen Reply:
October 31st, 2009 at 1:01 am
The personal legend is something that you really want to do deep in your heart, somethign thatyou have always dreamed of becoming. Santiagos legend is to travel and when he is fulfilling it, he gets the reward, but only when he is ready. On the journey he met a lot of people, learned a new trade, learned a lot of new new things, found love. He finds the reward back in the ruins of the church where he had the dream ironically enough. He loses but he is always lucky because he is on the right track. The arab that steals his gold gets a smaller reward, as he does not beieve in his persoan legend. So the way is not easy for Santiago, but he fulfills his dream and he gets the reward when he is ready to get it. So it is something that you truly want to do, someting that you dreamed about as a child, something that is not what society, your friends or parents expects you to do.
Gül Reply:
November 10th, 2009 at 12:10 am
Thank you Carmen… I want to be aweksome and listen to my dreams to my wishes as child. THANK YOU
I also have decided to read again the Alchimist
Gül
Gül Reply:
November 11th, 2009 at 1:09 am
I rebemder some of my dreams…. My biggest dream was always to feel love… to be in love to travel around the world…
Today I am working and workind and working… and I surching for the way out of this working and working life…
In a wy I know I have to leave but I am looking for the way… Maybe I should just go and I should not look for the right way…
What would Santiago do….
Den Rod Reply:
October 26th, 2009 at 12:28 am
God bless us all, all of us that seek him/she/it(God)!
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Den Rod Reply:
October 26th, 2009 at 12:33 am
Adam is your answer!
With all respect, just a joke,
Have a nice life!
Den
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lod Reply:
October 26th, 2009 at 8:24 am
thanks Den! ah ah ah
Eve
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