Book Review: The Alchemist

"The Alchemist's" scant 167 pages were filled with awe inspiring imagery, deep themes, and transcendent symbolism. Our young protagonist, Santiago, turns from chasing  possessions, hoping happiness will follow, to realizing that his treasure has been with him all along; figuratively and literally. I never came to know this simple shepherd as Santiago though, names seem to hold little relevance, he is just "the boy" or "the shepherd". His dreams grow along with him, from traversing the ambrosial fields of Andalusia, to the perpetual sands of Egypt.  

I'm not sure I agree that this book is as dramatic as "life changing", refreshing would be more appropriate. The carrying theme of "Personal Legends" isn't anything new, that true happiness cannot be achieved without realizing a personal "goal". "The Alchemist" stresses the journey, not the payoff. The boy attains his personal enlightenment before he even starts digging for treasure. After conversing with the Desert, the Wind, the Sun, and finally the Soul of the World, Santiago knows he can return to Fatima and her oasis, the crystal shop's riches, or the quiet fields of his homeland. But he cannot  leave his journey unfinished, it would leave his life incomplete, so he digs.

Curiously, the setting  means nothing and everything. I couldn't say what time period the Shepherd marches through but it was unimportant. References to rifles and other means of war made it clear that the setting wasn't as archaic as I thought. My western mindset tells me that mention of shepherds and hidden treasure resounds of a time far behind the modern world. Which couples the idea of the modern worlds dormant dreamers. " We, people's hearts, seldom say much about those treasures, because people no longer want to go in search of them. We speak of them only to children." (Paulo 131) Paulo constantly cautions stopping halfway, or denying our destiny. Our fear is our Achilles heel, settling for safety over true happiness. The boys dream beckons from the horizon, his heart drawing him forward, knowing that every step will fill him with self- satisfaction.

This is one of the first books I've read that's major goal is to change something in the life of the reader, not just give them a good story. It was a positive introduction to a more realistic view of adventure. On a 1-10 scale I'd give it a 8.5. I felt inspired by the end of the novel to live my own Personal Legend which indicates that Paulo achieved his goal. And that's what matters, that at the end of the novel something had stirred something inside of me, pushing me to become a better person. Paulo Coelho, you have more than earned yourself another dedicated reader.