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
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‘The Alchemist’ was the first book that I read from you. It remains my favorite and depending on where I am standing in life, I always interpret the book differently and it brings me much peace and enlightenment.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your words!
Dear Paulo,
I first read your book in French, many years ago. It was a great edition that contained the little story about Narcissus, that Oscar Wilde had written, at the beginning of the book. I’ve noticed since then that some editions in other languages would not include it. Pitty.
I love your book. It’s been an essential part of my life ever since I was first touched by its beauty and soul and maybe it’s time for me to read it again for I have lost my path in Life and I could do with some guidance.
Living, as I am now, in Wilde’s birth city I shall start by getting Oscar’s book and using it as a pillow to start dreaming of my destiny once again. Your little sheperd boy will soon be a part of my renewed efforts to find Happiness
Love
Chari
dear paulo,
the alchemist brought new hrizons to my life,knowin that anyone has the ability to go where ever he wants…but knowing this brought confusion too.well, u can say that i suffer from obstacle 1 and 2 that u always mention in the book’s forehead..because after i read some of ur books i Remembered that all my childhood i was interested in magic, the paranormal life,in angels or even devils..so my first obstacle is that am from Egypt where magic isnot that welcomed and most of those who practice it are fakers…not to mention the clear religious resrictions one can face…still deep inside me i feel that i need to leave everything around me and go in search for my spiritual path…but dont know where to start.
then comes the second obstacle love,as for me am a lonely child and my parents would break seeing me leave my the job (which they like but i hate ) and go in search for something called “personal legend” :)
for me the alchemist was like a door opened revealing a secret that isnot a secret at all..pretty much like seeing the sunrise while everyone is sleeping,as Mr.collins said…i feel like i know the equation but still cant figure out how to apply it…i dont know paulo i just feel confusion..but your alchemist will remain a precious book to me.
thanks and keep well. :)
well, the alchemist is the best book i have read so far and currently i am reading it again to understand in better.
i wanna know the conclusion of the story, in simple words, that old man tells santiago when he is about to leave for his treasure hunt.
the of wise man meeting and telling the secret of happiness.
please someone throw more light on my query
thanks
Of your fifteen novels by now, the Alchemist, in my opinion, has the most delightful charm and humor of them all. I cannot quite pin point what is so funny in Santiago’s childlike dialogues with his sheep, with the Englishman or with the desert and the wind, but I will give it a try. There is something Don Quixote-ish about the Alchemist, and I went to look for examples of sections in the fable that make me smile and laugh out loud. Let us start by taking a look at the funny parts in Don Quixote, where he fights with his windmills, talks to convince Sancho Panza about chivalry, or to the horse Rocinante, for that matter.
‘God willing, the proper ceremonies would be performed to make him into a knight, so very thoroughly that no knight in the whole wide world could be more of a knight than him’, Don Quixote thinks. Don Quixote does a lot of self boasting, and what make this drama so funny, is we get to see what he thinks, follow his mental madness. It’s funny how hard Don Quixote tries to live up to the role of his ideal image of himself; ‘…except in such circumstances, carrying saddle-bags was rather frowned upon among knights errants..’ There are many funny analogies; ‘…even if you hide yourself away like a lizard’, and exaggerations ‘…I don’t think I’ve done with the wronging quite yet, because I’m feeling the urge to skin you alive…’. He is trying so hard to do the right ting; ‘..and this brought to his mind those other crossroads, where knights errant would pause to consider which way to go, and to imitate them, he remained motionless for awhile..’ Often, Don Quixote tries to quote sayings, but get them a bit twisted, but to his own benefit. When Rocinante, the horse fell, he goes; ‘Tis my horse’s fault and not my own that I am lying here.’ And Don Quixote tries to talk Sancho Panza into going along with him, and tells him; if he becomes a king, Sancho will get a great position in his ‘kingdom’ and Sancho’s answers; Look here, sir, she (Mari Gutierrez, his wife) wouldn’t be worth two brass farthings as a queen – countess would suit her better, and even that’d be hard going for her’… Now, what is Don Quixote-ish about the Alchemist?
My first smile comes at the very beginning of the story when Santiago uses a book for a pillow and thinks; ‘He told himself that he would have to start reading thicker books: they lasted longer, and made more comfortable pillows’. The critical attitudes towards chivalry books in Don Quixote, similarly has a critical attitude towards Alchemy books in the Alchemist. The opening chapter gives many examples of the boys dialogue with his sheep, and what he thinks about his surroundings. ‘He had always believed that the sheep were able to understand what he said’…’…usually I learn more from my sheep than from books.’. When the boy tries to impress an Andalusian girl and went on telling stories about his travels; ‘…her bright, Moorish eyes went wide with fear and surprise’. The boy’s thinking when meeting the Gypsy is hilarious. ‘People said that Gypsies spent their lives tricking others…Another trick, the boy thought’. The readers get some insight into secret thoughts of the boy. The Gypsy lady herself isn’t too impressed with him; ‘I have to get back to my cooking, and, since you don’t have much money, I can’t give you a lot of time’. In a Norwegian copy of the Alchemist there is a funny line; ‘The gypsies are ‘blockheads’ (Norwegian fehoder, which in English could be translated to sheep heads), but this line isn’t in the American copy. This childish honesty of the boy, when he meets the king of Salem; ‘The boy didn’t know where Salem was, but he didn’t want to ask, fearing that he would appear ignorant’, is very charming. And when Melquizedek tells him he is a king, the boy thinks; ‘People say strange things…Sometimes it’s better to be with the sheep, who don’t say anything’. Some of his childish and cultural opinions puts a smile on my face, for instance this line in the Norwegian translation says; ‘Women rather marry a baker than a shepherd’. In the American translation it goes; ‘Parents would rather see their children marry bakers than shepherds’. Both sounds funny.
When Santiago arrives in Africa, ‘..in just a few hours he had seen men walking hand in hand, women with their faces covered, and priests that climbed to the tops of towers and chanted…’. Then he meets an Arab and; ‘..he almost began to tell about his treasure, but decided not to do so. If he did, it was possible that the Arab would want a part of it as payment…’. Again, we get an insight in a small minded human way of thinking, which we can all identify with. When the boy sees the most beautiful sword he has ever seen, and forgets to be alert for a minute, we have to smile. The way he works the crystal merchant is funny too; ‘You dream about sheep and the Pyramids…’ says the merchant, but; ‘That day, the merchant gave the boy permission to build the display’. The boy soon realize he went too far in trying to talk the merchant into going on his pilgrimage to Mecca and he reflects; ‘It’s good I refrained from saying anything to the baker in Tarifa’. The dialogue between Santiago and the Englishman is very humorous. The civilized Englishman seems to have more problems adapting to the circumstances. ‘Ten years at the university, and here I am in a corral’. What he heard about the Alchemist, who is able to transform any metal into gold, made him continue his journey. ‘The Englishman could not contain his excitement’. ‘I’m going to find that damned alchemist’. The boy tries to get a conversation going; ‘I guess you don’t believe that a king would talk to someone like me, a shepherd’. The caravan leader shows us how he is brought up; ‘The desert is a capricious lady, and sometimes she drives men crazy’, he says, not as a joke, but because it in fact IS his opinion. The dry Englishman wasn’t able to read the signs of the desert; ‘It was only the Englishman who was unaware of all this; he was, for the most part, immersed in reading his books. We get a funny confrontation between these two characters; ‘You should pay more attention to the caravan’ the boy said to the Englishman. ‘We make a lot of detours, but we’re always heading for the same destination’. The Englishman answered back; ‘And you ought to read more about the world…Books are like caravans in that respect’.
Other charming literary means are the numerous repetitions, when the boy looks back and recall, and for instance, when funny words like ‘date palms’ is being mentioned time and time again. This word is more funny in Norwegian, where it is called ‘daddel palme’, and of course they don’t grow ‘daddel’ palms in this part of the world. Myself, I never liked to eat the date fruits as a child. It was something my grandparents, who had been traveling to Egypt, and learned to appreciate dates, something they would eat for Christmas. The part when the boy meets an Arabic women in the oasis, and she corrects his behavior, makes me smile too; ‘ The woman said she had never heard of such a person (the alchemist), and hurried away: But before she fled, she advised the boy that he had better not try to converse with women who were dressed in black, because they were married women’. And that is why he waits for Fatima to show up. ‘Finally, a young woman approached who was not dressed in black’. Sometimes a bit of bizarre humor finds it’s way into the story, for instance when the boy went to warn the chieftains, and they decide to carry arms, in spite of it being against the tradition, but they warn the boy back; ‘If at least one of them hasn’t been used by the end of the day tomorrow, one will be used on you’. In the same way the Alchemist is pointing his sword to the boys head, and scare the boy out of his wits by telling the army men, the boy can destroy the camp just with the force of the wind. The men laugh, but they also are a bit fearful of wizards!
The sweetness of this text seems to be much of the animism, the fable is filled with. ‘What do you want here today?..the desert asked him…Didn’t you spend enough time looking at me yesterday?’ And the wind gets both proud and irritated at the boy, and ‘The wind screamed with delight’! And let me finally conclude with ‘I’m an old superstitious Arab, and I believe in our proverbs. There’s one that says, …Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.’ ‘You old sorcerer’…the boy shouted up to the sky’. Thanks again Paulo, for this delightful story. I have such a great time reading it, each time I do.
Of all your works that I have read, The Alchemist, waa the most affecting. The boy’s search for his legend resonates with my own, as does his coming full circle to find what he sought back home.
As a little girl in the Caribbean, I wanted desperately to escape the arid life that was my village, so I pursued a path that meandered through journalism as a teenager. I later wandered aimlesly through a strange country and finally nursing and with numerous threats and fears to losing my voice.
I still remember eighteen years ago when I told members of the writer’s guild to which I belonged that I was going to nursing school. They looked at me askance. I was a struggling writer, had read my works in our workshops and would very likely have a book published like so many other members, within a year. Would I abandon my dream, my real calling to pursue something as dull as nursing?
But I would discover a fascinating culture, that there was nothing dull about the science and art of caring. Today I work with professionals and paraprofessionals in developing more humanistic ways of caring.
Yesterday as I taught inservices, probably considered boring by some, I had never felt more alive. I have found my voice, orally ond in the written word. Today my heart sings.
I feel connected to the universal Soul of the World. As I face my own mortality from kidney failure, I realize that I have come full circle to finding my voice. So, I wrote a peice called “Let’s Celebrate Living”
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=688723253&ref=name#/profile.php?id=688723253&v=app_2347471856
I see no reason why you cannot be both. You gave up being a starving writer in your garret, to pursue your first love, nursing, which you obviously enjoy. But does that richness of experience not make you if you so wished, be a better writer, as you have now so much more to draw upon?
I am happy to know that I should follow my legend, and I know that I should change some things, but I don`t know how to set my feelings free and start making my dreams come true. It`s not easy but is essential. Thank You for helping me to find out
Synchronicity …
‘Coelho scrive i suoi libri: “Inizio da un tratto, questo tratto diventa una isola per me , così mi aggrappo di essa mentre trovo qualcosa interessante e inizio esplorarlo finché non vedo ciò che Dio vuol far mi vedere!”‘ — Detelina Petkova
‘I paint my angels as Paulo Coelho writes his books: “Start from a stroke, this stroke becomes an island for me, so it clings to me while I find something interesting and start explore it until I see what God wants me to see!”‘ — Detelina Petkova
Last weekend I picked up the illustrated edition of The Da Vinci Code. In opening pages is The Death of the Virgin by Caravaggio.
I do not know why, but one of the comments on the Warrior of Light by Detelina Petkova compared the work with Caravaggio.
Over this last week I have been in conversation with Detelina Petkova. She sent me a copy of The Hymn to Isis, then had to remind me it is in the opening pages of The Zahir. I did not remember, and had to double check my copy of The Zahir, and yes, there I found it.
The Hymn to Isis was found in the Nag Hammadi find. Nag Hammadi was a comparable find to the Dead Sea Scrolls. Nag Hammadi is a key component of the plot in The Da Vinci Code.
Friday afternoon, at the invitation of a friend, I attended a workshop on ‘one stroke’ painting.
Saturday evening I was invited on board a steam locomotive. The girl who issued the invite recognised me from a TV programme broadcast in the spring. Sunday afternoon two friends called me to tell me the programme was being repeated that evening.
When I first read The Da Vinci Code a few years ago, it fell open at a random page. There on the page was two people who I knew, one of whom I had recently contacted me. I had not heard from him for a few years and have not heard from him since. One of the friends who called me to let me know of the TV programme, also told me that one of the two people who I came across when The Da Vinci Code fell open (who had contacted me at the time I read the novel), was mentioned on a technology programme a couple of days ago.
Synchronicity: A series of coincidences that on the basis of probability would be highly improbable, and yet which happen nevertheless.
The signs are there. Have we like Santiago learnt to read them?
Ooops! Big mistake by me.
The Hymn to Isis is in Eleven Minutes, not The Zahir!
Early hours of this morning I was listening on the BBC World Service to a discussion with writer Karen Armstrong. Her views were remarkably similar to my own and Paulo Coelho.
Religion has lost its way, especially with the dogma and fanaticism. We should return to a contemplative religion, ie communicate with the Soul of the World.
God is not definable. To define is to set limits. God is infinite, unknowable.
Paulo Coelho was inspired to write The Witch of Portobello after reading Muhammad by Karen Armstrong. He wished to explore the feminine side of religion, to question why society had tried to lock away the feminine side. The character of Athena, with her freedom and courage, was his way to tackle the subject and to unveil the shackles of dogma.
Karen Armstrong is a great writer. She wrote a book on Islam (and women) that is a landmark. BTW, she is an ex-nun.
Thanks! Yes, I did know Karen Armstrong was a former nun. One of her first books was on Christianity.
It was a pity that the programme on BBC World Service did not devote the entire programme to a discussion with Karen Armstrong, as it would have been interesting to hear her views. Earlier in the week, she had been on a programme on BBC Radio 4.
I have yet to read any of her books. I have been tempted to read her latest book. With a recommendation from Paulo, what excuse do I have left?
dear Keith and Paulo,
thank you for the interesting idea, first of all.
but it brought me a question.
‘…communicate with the Soul of the World.’
ok, i understand/believe that.
but why do we give a name on a religion? if the religion is the singular soul of the world, we do not have to name it differently.
it is so confusing for me because i believe i came from the world of jesus and when i saw those who claims that they are from the world of buddha, i feel like what is going on in this world.
and i learned recently that there is goddess in christianity. it is all so confusing.
so what is the truth? this is my question.
hmmm, but i guess there is no answer for this question. right?
i could all give up on this religious thing but i would probably feel empty and insecure…
i am sorry, my writing is a bit of mess but thanks for reading.
love
chieko
While reading Paulo Coelho’s foreword to the 10th edition of the book that I have read, possibly about 10 years ago, I started to re-realize my strong connection to the teachings in it. The Alchemist is like a good old friend who I can always count on for support. Now that I’m in between obstacle 3 and 4, the book’s teachings come up again in my life again, to encourage me to keep on; I’m ready for more challenges, and I know that I’m also ready to start the journey that I’ve been preparing for all of these years. I feel the support of my angels all the time. For all those who understand, thank you for listening and speaking the language of the soul of the world.
Maktub,
jian
“The Alchemist is like a good old friend who I can always count on for support” – i agree with this comment =) so true. i read this book for the first time.. back in 2005, and fell in love with it, and have re-read it many many times. the book is on my bookshelf when i need it, like a friend i turn to =)
- tram =)
dear Paulo
i really loved ur book ‘alchemist’.the way u described the story of the boy santiago was awesome.any one can connect to him because its not the story of just him its the story of all of us.we all have dreams but as we grow up we start felling that our dreams are impossible to achieve.and thats not true…..
cause god favors who help themselves.Alchemist is my favorite book n it has changed my life for ever.wen ever i feel low i read alchemist.:)
I won’t start with my opinion of the technicalities of the book, which are very positive. Two years ago I went through the most horrible experience of my life. In a day I lost everything material I had. I lost my best friend and my wife to treachery. I was alone with my children. My sister in law gave me a copy of The Alchemist. It changed my entire life. First I read the book, then I began a journey that I never thought I was capable of. Though the realization of my destiny is in its infancy, it all started with The Alchemist and Paulo Coelho. Thank you with all of my heart and soul.
I’m afraid to say Mr Coelho that I didn’t really want to buy your book The Alchemist. I was out shopping one Saturday, in a record store, with a couple of my friends. The book was on a shelf by the till and was on sale for £1.99. One of my friends pointed it out and insisted that it was an amazing book, possibly the best story of all time and said that I absolutely had to buy it. I didn’t think it sounded like my thing, but he was insistent and it was only £1.99, so I bought it to shut him up. When I got it home I put it on a shelf and never looked at it again.
A year later my friend died. He took his own life. And for some reason the thought of the book came to me, and I thought, ‘well I suppose I’d better get round to reading your stupid book now’.
And Mr Coelho, I’m so, so, so glad that I did. It was as though I’d bought it and kept it there waiting for that point in my life for me to need it. Reading the story in the book made me at peace, both with what happened, and with all the deep troubles that had been happening before my friend’s death. I then went to see the play of the book, for him, because he couldn’t and it was beautiful.
I have also done so many things in my own life that I really don’t think that I would have had the courage to do if I had not discovered your writings.
There is a line Khalil Gibran wrote, one may not reach the dawn save by the path of the night, and this book was truely the beginning of the dawn for me and I would like to thank you for that from the bottom of my heart. x
dear Paulo
I must say that this book has been very important for me. Not long ago I was facing a lot of hard situations, which combined with seeing how almost everyone I knew was giving up, were getting almost unbearable. I read your book (actually the first time I read it, it was an audio book on iTunes which happened to be free) and put it a lot of thought. I read it in the perfect time, and decided to move forward, that was the spark I needed to keep moving on,and I am very thankful because all of this time after that I’ve changed into myself a lot more than I ever had before, and now I’m starting the path to following my dreams. And it is a path which I won’t abandon ever again.
-Alejandro V
The Alchemist was the first of your books that I read. I still remember, I was in barnes&Noble on Union Square in NYC aimlessly wandering through the aisles when this book jumped out at me. It appeared on the shelf to be 5 times as big as the other books around it and so I had to buy it. I devoured that book and have read it three times since then and listened to the audio book twice more. This book has had a huge impact on me and has been a guide during my own search. Thank you so much for it.
With love, Kevin
Dear Paulo,
First let me thank you for the immense pleasure that gave me the reading of The Alchemist, you’re one of those great writers who could change the world if their books were read and understood by the entire human community, because we can find something universal in it and that could bring together everyone, no matter what you believe in and no matter where you come from. Today I want to tell you what The Alchemist has given me 3 years ago. Like many others, I could not help but read until the end of the book when I started reading. I was a law student, but I felt that something was wrong, it was not my place. I read the Alchemist instead of revising my exams, all night, and this is one of my best memories. But the book gave me the feeling that I was solely responsible for my life and I had a choice: to follow what my friends, my family expected of me, or assume what I really wanted. This was not the most simple way.
I dropped everything and devoted myself to my own legend, I started studying history and archeology. My aim is precise, and even if I have faced many obstacles, I know now who I am and where I go. Your book should resonate in the same way in each and help many people, because even if it is a book that tells us to follow our path, it is sufficient for us to decide to do it really.
Lots of love.
Natacha
PS : sorry for my language, I’m french.
bonsoir !! moi aussi j’ai lu votre roman l’alchimiste, j’ai adoré, il est très simple mais il nous parle de beaucoup de choses importantes dans la vie, à savoir espoir, optimisme, courage, persévérance… j’ai hâte de découvrir ma légende personnelle :) merci
This book changed my life forever! I love this book have read it twice. I’ve recommended this book to everyone I know.
Destiny of true love
Is what God show
It is in the wind of blow
Amour will throw
From his golden bow
A light will show
Told simple, in poetry and songs…..
Dear Paulo Coelho,
I have read many books in my life but yours has always been such an inspiration, especially The Alchemist. Probably the reason I loved your book that much is because I felt the truth was written in it, I just needed to wake up.I truly believe that every single humanbeing has its own legend to live, and ever since I was a child I’ve had a deep longing inside of me. This longing has made me focused on a particular goal, and I know if I don’t fulfill this goal I wont be living my own legend and I wont fulfill my history. I’m still young, but the older I get the closer I feel to my goal. And now recently I have become very sad because I feel that if I will live my true dream here in life I will give up on essential things like, money. I feel everything out there is working against me, in stead of giving me the hope that my dream will come true. I know my treasure, but I can’t have it. Do you think this is one of the obstacles the universe has given me?
Best regards,
Alexandra
awesome Story, Hey Paulo I’m a Filmmaker and I have always wanted to Make This book in to a Movie with me Directing it, and I promise you I will.
Because I have such a grate passion for this Book. I have read this book like 45 times is so inspirational to me, it help me and it motivated me to reach my dreams and goals and just never quit
Dear Paulo,
I dont read a lot of books but when i had to read this book for school it became my favorite book and i love the message the book has. It has helped to realize that one should be patient with the world and make the most of your opportunities. Even though i have known what i have wanted to do which is become an Air Force pilot, this book showed me to keep pursuin it no matter how hard the road to reaching it is. I truly want to thank you for makin such an inspirational book
Hi
I would like to thank you as all the other did before me, first time i heard about your book I thought it will be a story like any other but when i start it i couldn’t leave it until i reach the end, the great about it that you tell us what we want to say or the questions that we need answers for by very clear way, i read it first time in Arabic then i bring the English to see if it will be different but i fond its both great because your personality is show even with different language,
again thanks for all the advices i learned from your books, thanks for giving me chance to understand the others and thanks for your existing and wish you all the luck and health.
Leave you in peace
Buenos dias Paulo and fellow bloggers- I wanted to throw out an idea and a question.
My question would be if there has ever been an attempt to make a movie based on this book. I can’t help but think of the press “The Secret” got when I feel your book is much more enlightening and original.
My idea is a playlist of music to accompany the reading of this book (Remember HS Students). I have had kids create a soundtrack before and I will list one below, but I would really like to know what you all think could be missing (this soundtrack is supposed to correspond to what is happening in the book):
1. Keep Holding On – Avril Levine
2. The World is in Your Hands – Culture Beat
3. As Long As You Follow – Fleetwood Mac
4. Carry On – Crosby Still & Nash
5. Broken – Lindsey Haun
6. I Believe I Can Fly – R. Kelly
7. Spirit – R. Kelly
8. Hope – Twista ft. Faith Evans
9. Keep on Keepin’ – JoJo
10. I’m Moving On – Rascal Flats
11. Story of My Life – Bon Jovi
12. It’s Beautiful Life – Ace of Base
13. Hold On – Wilson Philips
14. Stronger – Britney Spears
15. Unwritten – Natasha Bettingfield
Keep in mind this was a teenager’s creation – so some of these songs may in fact only have a relevance in their title. There are a few others that show up often. Chris Brown’s “Hearts All Over the World” shows up a lot and I play Serrat version of Machado’s “Caminante no Hay Camino” a lot for them. I think Jarabe de Palo’s “Bonito” works too…but like I said I would love to read your thoughts. Sr. Coehlo I hope you don’t think I am nuts but please keep in mind as wonderful as your book is the generation I teach likes multimedia and if a playlist helps turn them on to your wonderful work I have no problem encouraging it.
Hi, Paulo.
As it is wonderful, that you are, and that your books, learn(teach) me to search for the way. Having read the novel “The Alchemist” already some times, I am convinced, that all ingenious simply. It is not necessary to search for any not clear acts, which воцарили in our soul calm, or would inspire us.
I so would like to pass the way adequately, let it(he) will be difficult. Leaning(basing) on your experience (” a Diary мага “), I know, that it till force to everyone.
Thank, for the given opportunity to find itself.
Привет, Пауло.
Как замечательно, что ты есть, и что твои книги, учат меня искать свой путь. Прочитав роман «Алхимик» уже несколько раз, я убеждаюсь, что все гениальное просто. Не нужно искать какие-то непонятные поступки, которые воцарили бы в нашей душе успокоение, или воодушевили бы нас.
Мне так хочется пройти свой путь достойно, пусть он будет труден. Опираясь на твой опыт («Дневник мага»), я знаю, что это по силу каждому.
Спасибо, за данную возможность обрести себя.
Hi, Пауло.
As it is wonderful, that you are, and that your books, learn(teach) me to search for the way. Having read the novel “Алхимик” already some times, I am convinced, that all ingenious simply. It is not necessary to search for any not clear acts, which воцарили in our soul calm, or would inspire us.
I so would like to pass the way adequately, let it(he) will be difficult. Leaning(basing) on your experience (” a Diary мага “), I know, that it till force to everyone.
Thank, for the given opportunity to find itself.
Boa noite.
Gostaria de deixar aqui a minha imensa alegia e satisfação em ler as maravilhas do Paulo Coelho, comecei a ler seus livros quando foi lançado a Bruxa de Portobello, depois disso eu comprava um livro por semana, hoje tenho varios. Mas o livro que mais me chama a atenção sem duvidas foi o Alquimista. Não existe livro igual ou melhor. Um livro que realmente nos ensina a correr atrás de nossa lenda pessoal. Minha emoção foi tão grande ao ler esse livro, que eu precisava compartilhar com alguem, então indiquei varios amigos para ler esse livro e todos gostaram.
Realmente esse livro é o melhor de todos os tempos..
Um abraço Paulo.
Parabéns pelas obras.
ahh…..¿ que puedo pensar o sentir cuando escucho hablar de El Alquimista? es un sentimiento tan hermoso que no puedo evitar, inicialmente de gratitud hacia mi autor favorito… por escribir esas líneas tan llenas de alma,experiencia y sabiduría. Para mí es el mejor libro que puede existir..(sin dejar atrás tus otras obras). Es aquel que está en la cima. Es una guía que desde que la leí me ha ayudado mucho para crear y construir mi leyenda personal…Desde el momento que me encuentro con este libro, sigo todas las señales que la vida me da, y se ha convertido casi en una ley de mi vida. Nunca dejar de soñar y le he enseñado a mi mente y a mi alma que el universo siempre conspirará a mi favor…
Un fuerte abrazo para una persona que se convirtió desde hace varios años en uno de mis pocos heroes!!
Mr. Coelho, thank you for your amazing art. The Alchemist is the true masterpiece of yours.
May many other wonderful books and stories be born in the heart of your inner workshop!
Light be with you always.
When I read The Alchemist I found it like I was reading through an old diary, and things which had always failed to make sense now seemed to fit together perfectly. I can see now that some things are only meant to be because they are a step on the journey, even when they seem to be taking us in the wrong direction we are still travelling to the same place.
Através do “Alquimista” percebi que a felicidade está onde não procuramos, ou seja em nós mesmos. Paulo Coelho, você é muito importante para mim, através de suas obras encontro paz e sabedoria. Assim como Santiago teve que realizar sua jornada para descobrir seu verdadeiro tesouro assim também faço, com suas obras ao meu lado.
Its such a blessing to read this book, its like the Soul of the Universe directly whispers to your ears.
/Sarita
Alquemist is a metaphor for my life. Interestingly enough, the book speaks to my soul not always, but at times when I am to make an important decision on my way. A while ago I was working for money in Dubai, doing what I didn’t really like, but still this experience taught me important lessons. Then I left the prestigeous job and came back to Ukraine to do what I dreamed of. But now, when it’s all infront of me, I see all my vices and think: How can I do it? How can I achieve my dream when I am myself full of doubts and weaknesses? Deep inside I know that I deserve it, that I am better than I used to think I am. But old habit of not living my life fully still remains, and it is to be given up.
The Alchemist impressed me like no book ever did… When I went through it, I was reading things I had thought about and had started to believe in myself, I was quite surprised. It was no ‘coincidence’ that I came across this book, because I found it right in the period where I began to notice more and more signs on my way, and I learned to read them… I’ve often wondered what my personal legend is, but I suppose you won’t find out by just sitting and pondering, but by actually living it..
Though right now I’m as a lost as I ever was… If it weren’t for the Alchemist, I think I might have already given up on chasing my dreams.. The Alchemist – together with Veronika Decides to Die – nudged me to keep on going and not to give up. Because the beauty of pursuing dreams is that you – can -. While pursuing my Destiny, I won’t forget what you taught me Paulo, with the stories of the Alchemist…
Thank you Paulo, for writing this book. It really makes one think whether all decisions that he/she takes are right or wrong. As children we often follow our heart but as we grow up we are taught what is right and safe and then we are taken over by logic. Though most of the times our logic stops us from taking risks that would ruin our life and keep us alive in this ‘the strong will survive’ world but it hardly keeps us happy and we often forget this. And after some time we get so used to this that we forget to be happy. Your book reminds me of that and after reading this I remember to be happy again and at least sometimes now I think I follow my heart while making some decisions. So sometimes I have been happy. I really thank you for this marvelous book and my friend Angad for recommending me this book.
I agree with your point that we forget to be happy. The older I get the harder it seems for me to be able to enjoy where I am at. It’s so easy for worries of life to get in the way of that. Thinking about the future often leaves me feeling frustrated that I am not able to realize my dream yet, and thinking about the past may make me linger to long on things that I cannot change. The Alchemist as much as it is a book about realizing dreams, I also think it is a book that speaks to the importance of enjoying the journey on our way to that point. Often reaching our dream is not nearly as exciting as what we experienced to get there. So I think that to have a dream in mind is important, while at the same time allowing ourselves to experience the fullness of the moments in the present. That’s what I’ll remember from this book. It is neat how the story can be applied generally to every man’s situation the journey of life. As a reader I was able to feel like the shepard struggling to make sense of what was happening and trying to choose what was best and right. Very interesting and inspiring story.
yes it seems dreams must be followed ,,, much courage is needed… its hard to ignore ,, it keeps showing up ,, when you look….maybe we have to change almost everything about our lives thus far … scary! , i dont want to die with my music in me!!
Hi Kim!! Your post reminds me of the crystal merchant, as he was invited to stretch beyond his own comfort zone, and said to the boy ‘every blessing ignored becomes a curse’. Wondering if that fits for you. This certainly holds true for me and yes, we need a little faith and courage to make change. I was so glad to see you yesterday, and here now. WOW, amazing! Come back to sing, or talk, or borrow books any time. Lots of Love, Jane : )
..dear paulo…it was the first book of yours that i read and it passed by so many years from the very day when i hold it in my hands…but im still read it from time to time…i really appreciate the fact that you remind me on the truth that on this world dont exists small and not-important things..and that i must be faithful to my dream…thank you so much..you gave me back the hope that im living this life to fulfill it..its so simple,but we often forgeting that simply fact…gracias..dios te cuido…
Dear Paulo
I just want to thank you for writing these books it really helped me overcome my obstacles in life, your wisdom is indescribable. I started reading you book when i was in College I was in the Library Looking for Computer related books and accidentally i saw your book between these other books then i picked it up and went to my corner and i just found myself reading it and yes i forgot to go to my next class hahaha.. but I’m really thankful also to the person who leave the Alchemist there Besides all the books in our library is all computer books so after i finished reading it, i put it where i found it i waited 1 week for someone to read it and when i went back there its Gone. I guess someone is reading it and having a really great time and thinking about their personal legend. Thank you again Paulo and God Bless I wish you to write many more Books.
oi quando li o alquimista fiquei pesando em qual seria minha lenda pessoal, e a encontrei como uma oportunidade que me foi dada e mesmo diante do meu medo, tivee certeza que se não a pega-se com toda força nas mãos, me arrependeria por toda minha vida, e que essa minha escolha me fez conhecer pessoas especiais e descobrir que eu também sou uma pessoa especial.
Depois de alquimista tambem li outros livros e todos me levaram para dentro de mim mesma e mostraram coisas possitivas que me fez creser como pessoa
Mr. Paulo,
I have stumbled into the world of your novels only through a friend of mine, one that I cherish and look to for guidance frequently. When he recommends something to me, I read it without a second thought, knowing, in the end, that it will help me to become a better person somehow. In this way, I was told about your novel The Alchemist. I have the version with an introduction written by you, and being a literature major, I always take the time to read the introductions and prefaces. I was struck right away by how sure of yourself you were, it completely transpires through your writing, but in an extraordinary way.
It is easy to see that not only do you know what you are talking about, and believe it, but that you want to help others to realize the truth that you already know. On the surface, the plot about Santiago and following his personal legend and finding love helped me to make small epiphanies in my own personal life, which was the reason my friend recommended the book to me. However, the message underneath (and although I know this can be altered by perception, really I thought it to be quite obvious, when you know what to look for) was the part that spoke to me the most. The way you intertwined the plot with your own beliefs about God and the lessons we learn from him was just inspiring. I have always wished that I would be able to do something like that, and here, you have done it.
I know this is a website for questions, (although, once again, I just stumbled into it, who would have known that THIS would be the month that you would be discussing The Alchemist? When you go on a journey to your own personal legend, the whole universe sets out to help you, correct?) but I don’t have any questions for you. Through your writing I feel as though I already know you and can feel what you believe in. I see you are a man and messenger of God and by writing this book you are doing his work, as well as reaching your own personal legend. I am inspired, awed, and shocked at how life changing this novel really is.
So all I would like to say to you, sir, is thank you for listening to your personal legend, for loving and knowing God in your own personal life, and for sharing everything you know and believe to be true with others. This novel has meant more to me than I would have believed possible, which is saying a lot, due to the fact I always relate my life to books. Reading is my passion.
A fellow follower of God,
Michelina.
Este Livro é fantástico como você Paulo, ainda não terminei de ler “O Alquimista” mas ao mesmo tempo eu desejo que a leitura não acabe nunca, a história é realmente muito fascinante e estou adorando este seu trabalho, aliás este é um livro que eu á muito tempo queria ler, mas só agora tive a oportunidade, e não me arrependo…Já estou com “O Dom Supremo” engatilhado aqui também. Muito Obrigado Paulo, temos orgulho de você.
Olá Lucas,
O Aquimista foi o livro mais lindo que li em toda minha vida. Mas o Dom Supremo é maravilhoso. Tem tudo a ver vc. lê-lo em seguida. Vai Adorar !!!
I am finding it interesting to compare the reaction readers have had, or at least those who are participating in the workshops, to The Winner Stands Alone and The Alchemist.
With The Winner Stands Alone, it was readers having their eyes opened to the world around them.
With The Alchemist we are hearing how it has changed people’s lives.
Traveller tells us he/she: ‘was in a deep funk with no idea where I was going. I was about two steps from being homeless and really had no direction.’
This describes most people, we are all two steps from being homeless: we lose our job, the wife takes the kids and leaves, the bank forecloses on the mortgage.
Traveller goes on to tell us a friend lent him The Alchemist and it gave him a sense of direction.
Santiago was sat in the square crying, feeling sorry for himself, but he pulls himself together and sees this as the start of a great new adventure.
Traveller tells us he lent out his copy to people who he saw in similar dire straits, with only one proviso, the left a thought on the blank pages.
He can still do this, but without the proviso they return the book. Register the book on BookCrossing, ask the person to leave a comment on BookCrossing, then pass on the book with the same proviso. Leaving a thought in the books is a nice idea too.
Traveller also speaks of reading the signs. Much has already been said about reading the signs, with many examples given.
When I read a book I rarely identify with the characters. I may agree or disagree, but that is as far as it goes. Nor do I usually visualise any of the characters or identify them with anyone.
When I read The Winner Stands Alone, the image that came to mind for Igor was Vladimir Putin.
On encountering the Englishman in The Alchemist, the image that came to mind was Lord Byron.
Dear writer, I’m 15 years old and come from the Czech Republic. My first work, which I read from you was Veronika decides to die. I was mesmerized from it. I have a few questions for you: 1 What is your view on filmmaking to your book draft (Alchemist)? 2.Jaký is your favorite author or favorite book you’ve ever read? 3. What book of your published works you would recommend? It would not be bad if he wrote the work involved in the theft of man-work, so existential. Very sorry for the miserable barely English. Inspiration for writing your wishes to the reader, Ales B.
Dear writer, I’m 15 years old and come from the Czech Republic. The first book from you was Veronika decides to die. I was decided it mesmerized, I viewed the world again from a different angle. I have a few questions for you: 1.What is your opinion on movies, which are rotated according to a draft of your book (Alchemist)? 2.What writer like you? 3. What book would you recommend in your works? I apologize for my English. Advance thanks for the reply. Reader, Ales B.
I want to thank you for your magical book ‘the alchemist’ francly it taked me to an other world sometimes and sometimes it reflet my real world i really have a lot of signes in my life. I read it on french but i really want to reread it on english but unfortunatly we don’t have it published in english here in tunisia. By reading the alchemist i do have a diffrent way to see things arround me it’s so fascinating that it makes me wonder about the real truth in my life. thank you so much for writing such a lovely book keep writing and i promes to keep reading my favorit reader god bless you…….
imen taieb
If speaking about love keeping one from one’s destiny. I and my husband spoke the other day about going overseas someday and working there. He wants to have children there, so as to give them better opportunities. (He actually just mentioned that this is what he would like to do). I immediately started crying and getting anxious. I did not want to leave my country, I am too close to my family and how could I keep my father from seeing (possibly to be) his first grandchild and miss the first years of his/her life. Just typing this now also makes me feel anxious all over.
For the whole universe conspired to get us married, everything went more smooth than most weddings should. And we are both in working position that will make it possible for us to go overseas and work there.
What is this?
Is it that my destiny and my husband’s destiny is not the same?
If this is the case, what then should one adapt (is that possible)?
Or is it that my love for my family and their love for me is making me fear my and my husband’s destiny of going overseas?
Dear Elmie,
I can sympathize with the anguish you are facing. I was in the same situation. Shortly after I became pregnant with my first child, my husband had to move to the Philippines due to his work. I couldn’t imagine living in the Philippines, I knew nothing about the culture or the people, I’d never been there, and the thought of raising my child in a foreign country was scary. I had always been near my family.
My husband had gotten a promotion he could not turn down. And even though all my life I had been around my family, I could not imagine living without my husband. My love for him overpowered all of my fears of moving to a country which I had no idea about. The place did not matter, as long as we were together.
We have been living here for 7 years now and I don’t regret it a bit. It has actually made our bond stronger.
You have to weigh your options Elmie, you have to see who you cannot live without, your family or your husband, and the rest will come very easily.
Hope this helps you Elmie.
Dear Paulo,
Your books have changed my life and I need to thank you for that. Not only mine but my husbands as well. I made him read your books after I discovered them because he had to know the wisdom in them as they put me on another lever of existence.
The first time I came across The Alchemist is one day when i was taking a walk at the park. I was walking and came to a bench and there was a book sitting on the bench. Whenever I see a book, I am very curious to know the title so I automatically looked at it and I saw ‘The Alchemist’ I did a double take and stopped and was taken a back by the title. I thought, Alchemis? what is that? the title really grabbed me and I really wanted to know what it was all about. I picked up the book, there was no one there, there was only a leash next to the book and no one around. I picked it up and read a few lines on the back cover when I saw someone running with their dog towards me. I immediately put the book down and made my way. Then I went and bought the book that same day and read it in 2 days. Mr. Coelho, I have to say that my life was transformed after reading the book. I looked at life in a different way, just different, so free like something opened up inside me that I saw the world in a different perspective.
I had to immediately tell my husband and I talked and talked for days about it and eventually he read it. And I am So glad he did, because he understood what I was talking about and we both shared this renewed joy towards life.
Then I went back to the bookstore to find other books by you and i found 11 Minutes. The cover picture was enough to convince me to buy it and i did and again I finished it in 2 days. And this time i did not have to convince my husband to read it, he already was pushing me to finish it so he could read it. And well, the rest is very private but it took our sexual relation to places we had never even dreamed of. We did what you talk about in the book, we decided to do that for one week, just touching and no sex and after when we did that, the sex was bombastic! we have the best relationship towards each other, the best sex, and a great outlook to life. So Thank You!! thank you again!
With gratitude,
Amy.
Thank you Paulo, for writing this book! I found it in a small airport bookstore, placed exactly at my heart’s height (thank you bookshop!). The book seems to have a special influence – for me, renewed encouragement to stay on my path, followed by a lifelong (truly life long) dream of going to Africa fulfilled!! And to another whom I had given a copy of The Alchemist to, immediately after reading, met his future wife.
So I have wondered how many others have seen a dream come true that they attribute to reading this book.
With a heart full of love and appreciation. Love to All, Jane xo
Dear Paulo,
I would like to thank you for the knowledge and peace “The Alchemist” has brought me. I reread the book every year and it helps me focus on my personal legend and the patience needed to achieve it. I couldn’t be more delight with the workshop as I reread “The Alchemist” this summer.
Thank You,
Angie
Querido Paulo,
Conheci seu trabalho pelo livro O Alquimista, que ganhei de presente de uma amiga há alguns anos, quando ainda era adolescente. Desde então, acompanho seu trabalho.
Tenho a estória de Santiago como um suporte para meus objetivos, pela fé dele, pela esperança e principalmente pela objetividade do livro.
Uma grande estória!
Quero saber como é possível saber quais são os momentos mágicos, acredito que ainda não consegui enxergá-los.
Obrigada por me ensinar que o Universo conspira ao meu favor!
LUZ!
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