The Alchemist
The Alchemist is a very beautiful book written by Paulo
Coelho. It is an international bestseller with over 30 million copies sold
worldwide and translated into 63 languages. This lead me to select the book as
my first read after the exams. The copy that I read was published by Harper
Collins publishers. The 161 pages of this book are saturated with magic, dreams,
fantasy, quest and adventure.
The protagonist of this story is an Andalusian shepherd boy
called Santiago. He had a great love for travelling. A strange dream led him to
realize his destiny. From his home in Spain, he journeys to the markets of
Tangiers and then to the Egyptian deserts. On his way he encounters with many
people such as the king of Salem, the crystal merchant, the Englishman, Fatima
and the Alchemist. The novel narrates about his quest for the extravagant treasure
and the tests that God gives him. How to handle these tests without giving up is
clearly given in the book. Moreover, I liked
the language very much, with many beautiful quotes. Some of the most inspiring
ones which I found interesting are –
“When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a
strong current that will carry him into places that he had never dreamed of
when he first made the decision.”
“The desert is a capricious lady, and sometimes she drives
men crazy.”
“Every search begins with beginner’s luck. And every search
ends with the victor’s being severely tested.”
“The darkest hour of the night came just before the dawn.”
The Alchemist is a must read for all (maybe 13+ age group). Simply
because this isn't a book of mere fantasy or fairy tale, it contains great
messages which will surely enhance your life.
T.Anagha Sivadas
S4399
T.Anagha Sivadas
S4399
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