Comments on: Workshop : The Alchemist

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:50:08 +0000

I wouldn’t quite say that parts of the story were “far fetched”, because this is obviously a fictional story and the creative plot is what makes it so unique. However, I did really enjoy the fact that out of the many, many entries I read, you were the only one to bring to light that the plot structure was very different from your typical fictional story. Everyone else surpassed that and went straight to the overall message of the story, without looking at all aspects of the narratives makeup. I also very much agree that the word choice is rather simple. I don’t think this was done on accident, though. I personally believe Paulo did this so he could reach readers of all ages. By doing this, he can help persuade a very young audience, and thus our future, to keep fighting for their dreams and to never give up. Just like Santiago in the story, Paulo is trying to get people to abandon their comfort zone is search of their dreams. As the narrator says, “here I am between my flock and my treasure, the boy thought. He had to choose between something he had become accustomed to and something he wanted to have” ( 27)

By: Sylvia

Sylvia — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:50:59 +0000

I believe it is hard to find what your personal legend is. As you mentioned you have many interests that you would like to fulfill, but I am sure there are ones that you could pick out that would be more important for you to fulfill. I honestly believe there are signs that you could follow that would help you find your personal legend, you just have to know how to really pay attention to them. My mother died when I was 18 years old, and there has been many times in my life where I just needed my mother, and she would appear in my dreams. I believe you can find your personal legend in your dreams.

By: Joycelynn Creel

Joycelynn Creel — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:38:51 +0000

In a way organized religion and personal growth go hand in hand yet are at odds. Its like cat and mouse or peanut butter and jelly, two different substances that grow and become different yet when combined can create something extraordinary. The moral of the story was about finding ones self, whether it is goal orientated (the treasure) or finding who you are. The boy and the gods are at war because Santiago feels that the gods do not have the same needs that human’s do. On page 33 “The gods should not have desires, because they don’t have personal legends.” However sometimes you just have to make a jump. For instance Santiago gave up his beloved flock for a dream whether it came true or not was up to him. This story is not just about the intermingling with god, religion, and treasure, but finding the true potential in ones self even though the cost is great.

By: Cat

Cat — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:17:52 +0000

I’ve wanted to read this book for a long time and am extremely glad that it was assigned to be read in my college World Literature class. I feel like the timing itself couldn’t have been more perfect- an omen, perhaps? Today was definitely the right day for me to read this book; while I myself was feeling out of it this morning, it’s as if my mind was clearing itself so that I could be completely open to everything this amazing book had to offer. During my reading, I had to take a break to attend a math class, and found myself thinking about the future the entire way there. For many reasons, I have things I’m unsure about concerning my future, such as who I’ll be with, where I’ll live, etc. At first, this sent me into a confusing downward spiral of “what if this? what if that? I don’t want this…” on and on. But once I got home and got back into the book, my cares flew away for a while, and I felt a sense of relief as I came upon this particular line, “Because I don’t live in either my past or my future. I’m interested only in the present.” It was like the king himself had come up to me and given me the message, right when I needed it. In this day and age, having a future requires careful planning and saving money, as the boy showed us many times. Sitting and fretting about what the future may hold, however, is where we cross over into the realm of insanity. Instead of worrying about what’s to come, I need to use the time I have to enjoy the now! Because that’s where I am, and where I’ll always be- someday, “the future” will become my now. But until then, I’ll be reading this book. (:

By: AB

AB — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:27:19 +0000

I see your outlook on the crystal merchant; he dreams of someone elses dreams, not dreaming of his own. As stated from the crystal merchant,”But I’m afraid that is would all be a disappointment, so I prefer just to dream about it” (pg.34). Living in the moment takes you to memories that are unplanned, not desired. Having a dream and living in that moment of your understanding is realizing and bringing forth your dream or your personal legend. Possibly, living in the moment will help you realize your dream, but in my opinion it does not make all things possible. Like your daughter said you can dream of a new dream. The sky is your limit. But in my belief god made one dream/ one personal calling for everyone. We can all have dreams and wishes, but it the dreams and wishes that help us conquer our own legend. We have to make decisions we think are best; whether it be friom our own judgement or someone elses. It is your choice to follow or to lead. For me, I believe god is leading me onto the right pathway for me, but it is I who has to believe and no fear for the future.

By: Katelyn Abbott

Katelyn Abbott — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:57:43 +0000

A person cannot find out his or her destiny after reading a book. Books have been able to help us become who we are as people, can have a major influence on our way of thinking, and do teach us important life lessons, but books cannot show a person his or her destiny. I do believe that the only way a person can out his or her destiny is through experience in life and following their heart no matter how scared they are to. An important life lesson in The Alchemist is that Santiago must fulfill his destiny by going to Egypt to find the treasure buried in the Pryamids from his dream. He goes to Egypt and gains much experience and knowledge about the ways of life on his journey but his courage deserts him as the alchemist guides him through the desert. He tells the alchemist that his heart does not want him to go on and the alchemist responds, “Naturally it’s afraid that, in pursuing your dream, you might lose everything you’ve won” (131). Santiago realizes that it is important for him to always to listen to whatever his heart is telling him even if it is about his fears but he must not let his fears stop him from fulfilling his goals. If he does then he will never get to fulfill his dream or be happy because he will always live with the guilt of wondering what life would have been like for him if he had completed his goal. This strengthens his resolve to complete his goal on the path to his Personal Legend.

I have wanted to become an author because I love to read books, write stories, and draw. Brainstorming new ideas for stories and creativity were fun. I did a good job at writing stories and I even got published in a newspaper and won an essay writing conest when I was in elementary and middle school. I wanted to be famous like J.K. Rowling was and get to make as much money as she did from her Harry Potter book series when I was a grownup but my father gave me an ice cold dose of reality when I was about fourteen years old. He would invade my privacy by reading parts of my stories when I did not want people to do so and he would make snide remarks about it. He said that I had no real skill as a writer and that I would never have a successful career as an author because nobody would want to read anything that I wrote unless they were looking to be put to sleep by it. Like Santiago I had fears that I would never succeed in my goal and I gave up my dream of being an author for four years while I thought about being a history high school teacher or a lawyer instead. However when I was nineteen years old and in my first year of college my mom encouraged me to take up up my dream of becoming an author again and I did. Life experience and multiple failures made me realize I never should have listened to my father and given up on my dream because he had no right to put me down the way he did all of those years before and it was not impossible for me to become an author. I will become an author in the near future and I will be a good author even if I will never be as successful as J.K. Rowling is but then again who knows about that?

By: Josh

Josh — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:40:50 +0000

You asked yourself if defeats are necessary and I feel that Santiago showed us how defeat is always a good thing. Like you said, “fall down seven times and get back up eight times”. Each stumble is only a way to learn and grow stronger. Santiago made mistakes but he had to learn from them and in doing so he became stronger. A defeat is always necessary because it teaches us how to improve, how to truly achieve our personnal calling, it inturn gives us that greater feeling of gratitude. Nothing is worth achieving if it wasn’t a struggle to get.

By: Brett Anderson

Brett Anderson — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:29:18 +0000

I personally, like you, found the crystal merchant to be a very interesting character in comparison to the others within the book. For one he was a man who had “seen” the omens, yet ignored them instead of pursuing what is Personal Legend could have been (going to Mecca). Secondly, the alchemist himself mentions that if Santiago had taken a similar path of abandoning his Legend he would live a partly successful life but ultimately one that would cut him off from the “signs”. Theoretically, if this same idea is carried over, the merchant had either lost the connection to the signs or will at some point. Despite enjoying the idea that he can go to Mecca he will most likely never see it.

Living in the moment was certainly a crucial part of the story, one that carried over as a message for most characters. This was most likely one of the biggest messages within the book, and one that throws a different perspective on things. Good luck in your dreaming Jane, and live in the moment if you can!

By: Brandon Stone

Brandon Stone — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:52:26 +0000

I was also assigned “The Alchemist” for my world literature class. When I first started reading the book I had no idea that it had so much meaning and knowledge about life. It also helped me open my eyes to look out for good omens and not to take them for granted. Your quote was one of my favorites also but I would have to say that the quote that really hit home with me was when the alchemist said, “Don’t give into your fears”, “If you do, you wont be able to listen to your heart”(141). I too would also recommend it to anyone who is at a wierd place in there life.

By: David Rowlands

David Rowlands — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:13:04 +0000

Anna,
I feel the same way after reading the book. I’ve always felt guided throughout my life by signs and intuition. One thing I feel “The Alchemist” taught me was to listen to my own instincts, as my heart is usually right. After reading it I have decided to pursue my dreams. I realized that I was afraid as Santiago was when he was pursuing his Personal Legend, “”That makes sense,” the alchemist answered. “Naturally it’s afraid that , in pursuing your dream, you might lose everything you’ve won” (129). I wonder how many people in reality are like those in the book, stopping just short of reaching their “Personal Legends”?

By: Roman Pineda

Roman Pineda — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:21:47 +0000

Hello Lilia,
I am taking literature, and one of my assignments is to reply to one comment on this blog. I agree with you about The Alchemist in that it is a novel that teaches spiritual growth. However, if you do a deeper analysis, you’ll find out that it is about how your dreams help to build your faith, your faith helps you believe in you, and for you to trust in God. At the end of the novel Santiago makes mention of his dreams that brought him all the way to Egypt, “And, although his mouth was bleeding and swollen, he told his attackers that he had twice dreamed of a treasure hidden near the Pyramids of Egypt.”(162). Yes he dreamed, but a dream does not become true unless we have faith in God. Faith requires action and believing in the unseen, which is what Santiago did. He believed in a treasure he had never seen before. Your main question is a good one, and it is the main reason why I decided to reply to your post. I do not think the message is at odds with any organized religion because the writer uses many scriptures from The Bible without changing the meaning, and he goes beyond by giving credit to God; “God created the world so that through its visible objects, men could understand his spiritual teachings and marvel of his wisdom.”(127). I believe it is an excellent book to read because it has so many lessons to learn from such as: faith, perseverance, wisdom, etc.

By: Sparkle Stallings

Sparkle Stallings — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:19:10 +0000

The fact that he is a shepherd boy seems irrelevant to me since everyone regardless of culture, region or occupation all have a personal legend that they are destined to live up to. You could also call it fate but that all can be altered if we choose to not follow our hearts. Some of us do follow our hearts but only so far because then we settle because we feel we will never reach them. But as you said it is those who seek their personal legends with their full heart, and never give up, are the ones that succeed. It’s like the merchant said “it’s the thought of Mecca that keeps me alive. It helps me face these days that are all the same… I’m afraid that if my dream is realized, I will have no reason to go on living” (pg 55) That is so true, many of us know what we want but the persistence and know how to obtain it is where we fall short. Even if we know what we want and how we are going to go about to get there, what will we do once we have obtained it? What is there left to look forward to?

By: Jeff Kirk

Jeff Kirk — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:30:51 +0000

Ahh! The Personal Legend that we read about in “The Alchemist” is quite thought provoking. I, having advanced in my years, can look back on a time when I see that I actually had knowledge of it and then I let it happen; “a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible” (21). I had allowed the events of life going on around me keep me from pushing toward my own Personal Legend. This had to take an effort because “when you want something, all the world conspires to help you achieve it” (67). I had to be working against the universe and now I sit with a bit of regret at my discovery. However, I am able to look back and see where I erred and I still know my Personal Legend. I am much older and less interested in fighting against the world and may just allow myself the next push forward in my own life to achieve my Personal Legend.

By: Ronelle

Ronelle — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:20:12 +0000

You ask how to find your Personal Legend. I am asking you, are sheep dumb animals? To answer this question, you will have to slow sown, stop what you are doing and think hard about the answer. Many people think sheep are dumb. They are not dumb. I have been a sheep farmer in the African desert. It was not the sheep’s mistake that I did not learn from them. I now know that I was too young to listen to the sheep. Fortunately the desert has always spoken to me and I am fortunate to still live in the desert. Santiago discovered that all the sheep ever did was to look for food and water. The sheep taught him that there is a language in the world that everyone understood. It was the language of enthusiasm (62). Today I live a busy life in the U. S. Although circumstances on the farm were very different from the days of The Alchemist, the book brought back wonderful memories of a time when life was much simpler. I am not saying it was easier; it had many challenges, but I had time to listen to the desert.

Paulo Choelo reminded me to slow down and listen to my heart. Why is it so hard to slow down and listen? The desert can teach us and sheep can do it. Unfortunately, I had to become older before I learned the value of silence. That is when we find our Personal Legend. And then there is the camel driver who did not live in the past or the future. I am always thinking about the future. He concentrated on the present and he is happy because he is alive. That is an important message for me too.

By: eleonora

eleonora — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:28:44 +0000

Mi piace rileggere sempre un libro o il libro che mi ha aiutato ancora a credere quando tutto rema contro..Adoro L’alchimista.

By: jitendra

jitendra — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:05:35 +0000

I have read it amny times and each time I got a new message after reading it..

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:15:24 +0000

If I could thank you for it I would.
So I guess I will.
Grasicas

By: Spencer Jornod

Spencer Jornod — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:41:43 +0000

I think that the only way of achieving your goal is by following your Personal Legend and keep trying to succeed. I don’t get why Santiago would let somebody from a different country take his money? Why would he trust him? I think that the biggest challenge for Santiago was crossing the desert with the Englishman which would be the Abyss.

By: patrick

patrick — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:33:46 +0000

I feel like people follow their dreams and they can only achieve them by discovering their personal legend.

By: nyma

nyma — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 11:35:08 +0000

Some books tear the dark veil of sorrow, shedding sunlight unto untended gardens in our souls, full of wondrous thoughts and unknown strength, yet to be discovered.

By: Jane Stewart (Dances With Crayons)

Jane Stewart (Dances With Crayons) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 04:30:13 +0000

Is almost time for Graphic Novel Edition’s birthday, and so that is when I will read The Alchemist again.

I wondered for a long time about the Crystal Merchant, trying to understand him. But finally understood better from a very different viewpoint tonight!!
How sometimes people feel stress about dreams, not sure what will come after if a dream comes true. Now I feel more compassion about this and the generation before I was born.

When little, I did not realize about tomorrow. So maybe Santiago is like that too, lives in the moment, because that is where everything is possible. (not only that, many dreams do come true!! )

Now how to reconcile in a way, brings me to something my daughter said last visit: ‘Well, then I guess you dream a new dream!’

Love and Gratitude,
Jane xo
Actually I had two great big dreams and will probably keep me busy for the rest of my life!!

By: Buckie

Buckie — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:33:13 +0000

I never thughot I would find such an everyday topic so enthralling!

By: emmy

emmy — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 10:07:26 +0000

Hi Paulo
This book learn me how to see signs and follow it thanks alot

By: Dhaarna Gupta

Dhaarna Gupta — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 09:24:06 +0000

The Alchemist is a beautifully rendered stunning graphic novel of the classic that continues to inspire readers worldwide. Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. The Alchemist has established itself as a modern classic, universally admired. Now for the first time, the phenomenal bestseller has been rendered as a graphic novel that will appeal to the millions of existing fans while also attracting a new generation of readers.

By: Лиза

Лиза — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:17:47 +0000

“Алхимик” очень интересный и познавательный роман!!!!!!
это самая первая книга, которую я прочитала….!!!!!!
пришла в “Дом Книги” и купила!! почему-то купила именно “Алхимик”…

Герой- Сантьяго живет в каждом из нас… )) безумно понравилась книга…
Желаю Успеха!!! Очень хочется прочитать новые Ваши книги!!!

By: Derek

Derek — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 01:41:11 +0000

Suhas,

I completely understand what you mean when you say the book writes itself and that when you read over it again it hit you hard. When you read the story LIKE a story you can gloss over some things that will blow you away when you read back over it again. When he said “We are afraid of losing what we have, whether it’s our life or our possessions or our property. But this fear evaporates when we understand that our life stories and the history of the world were written by the same hand.” I got chills. Simply thinking about this statement opens up your mind. I could read this story over and over and find something new everytime.

By: krista

krista — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 18:13:09 +0000

i agree with you! people are so mean to eachother nowadays because they are too afraid to look inside themselves and take the time to discover who they really are. they get this delusional idea that it is your place in life to rag on other people, but if they felt more self worth and had the courage to find their true place in life, they wouldnt spend so much time hurting others! great post!

By: Yarilys

Yarilys — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 07:58:12 +0000

It is so amazing how we discocer life changing things by accident. The very first Coelho’s book I read was “A Orillas del Rios Piedras me Sente y Llore.” I also found it by accident;I was only 14 years old. There it was just like an omen, staring at me, asking me to read it. That book change my life forever, it pages made me smile, cry, think, reflect and much more. Two years later I found “The Alchemist.” The very first time I read it I was not able to go beyond its written words. After a few years I decided to read it again and that is when I started to understand the message encoded whithin the lines of this book. Just like Santiago, I have learned to follow and interpret omens, which I also believe are found everywhere as the Universe evokes a desperate call to all his sons to follow their Pesonal legends. Exactly a week before I enrolled for a World Literature class,I had gone to a store and while looking at books I saw the English version of “The Alchemist,” and I said to myself that I wanted to read it again to see what it had to say to me and so I did. A week later I enroled for this Literature clas I mentioned and I realized that this book was required! “MAKTUB”, “It was written,” “estaba Escrito.” Just like many in this blog have stated, this books tells me new things everytime I read it. It is truly a master piece of literature.Since the very first time I read Paulo Coelho’s work, I have loved and admire him profoundly as the great writter he is.I must mention, that I really enjoyed taking the quiz of the “The Alchemist,” very detailed and fun. For those who have not had the opportunity to read “Veronica Decides to Die,” I strongly encourage you to do so. Another master piece of Literature by Coelho, that will give you a new perspective about life. It will teach you how to apprettiatte life as a present we are given everyday. I consider myself a Veronica…

By: Tara

Tara — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 19:57:31 +0000

Nidhi,
I was required to read the Alchemist for my college World Literature class. I was reading your post and felt that this was the one that I really wanted to comment on. I too felt that while reading the book it created an air of confidence in the person reading it.
I had never heard of Paulo Coelho before seeing the alchemist on my book list. However I am glad to have read his book and am curious about how his others read. the book struck a cord when it said, “Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself”(130). It takes a lot to push yourself past fear and doubt and meet your goals head on. I think that this book depicts the perfect combination of challenges and achievements.

By: JoAnne M.

JoAnne M. — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 05:16:44 +0000

Alberto,
I found this book to be quite enlightening as well. I believe that the affect it has on people is in its application to nearly everyone at some point in their life. As an adult student, I have realized potential that I previously had no confidence in. For a long time, the thought of returning to school terrified me, and I convinced myself that I was content with who I was; to change my life after all those years would just be too hard. Like the crystal merchant said to Santiago, “I don’t want to change anything, because I don’t know how to deal with change. I’m used to the way I am”(58). From the moment I’ve been back in school, I’ve been happier. Not because it’s easy, but because I’m accomplishing something; working toward a dream.
For this reason, I disagree with the crystal merchant. A lot of people spend their lives working and saving for the day they have the time and money they ‘need’ to realize their dreams. For many, that day never comes. Those people are left to finish off their lives with the regret of all they never did.
Continue on your journey. You’ll be glad you did!