3. About the author
The Brazilian author Paulo Coelho was born in 1947 in the city of Rio de Janeiro.
Before dedicating his life completely to literature, he worked as theatre director
and actor, lyricist and journalist. In 1986, Paulo walked the 500-plus mile Road of
Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, a turning point in his life. On the
path, Coelho had a spiritual awakening, which he described autobiographically in
his book The Pilgrimage. In the following year, Coelho published The
Alchemist. Slow initial sales convinced his first publisher to drop the
novel, but it went on to become one of the best selling Brazilian
books of all time.
4. Summary/Plot
The Alchemist is the story of an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who
travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure
buried in the Pyramids. He is both a simple sheep herder and an ambitious
explorer. He follows his dreams, literally as well as “signs” from his environment.
He is thoughtful beyond his years but also a child subject to being
impressionable. Along the way, he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls
himself king, a man who claims to be an alchemist and then a real
alchemist who doesn’t brag at all. Each character points Santiago
in the direction of his quest.
5. Summary/Plot
No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the
obstacles along the way. He hits dead ends, someone steals his money, he
trusts incorrectly, he gets captured in the desert, etc.. . But amazing things
happen as well and the plot always moves forward. He arguably changes his
own destiny with his actions. Santiago must wrestle with what he is told vs. what
is real. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a
discovery of the treasure found within - the fine line between reality and the
spiritual. He moves from hopeless to hopeful and back again
throughout w the story.
6. Main Characters
Santiago
Santiago, an andalusian
shepherd boy dreams of
treasure while in ruined church.
He sets out to Egyptian desert
to find the treasure.
Alchemist
Alchemist helps Santiago to
realise his true self.
Fatima
Santiago falls in love with an
Arabian Girl, Fatima. She
promises to marry him only
after he completes his journey.
Melchizedek
Melchizedek, an old man who
claims to be the King of Salem
encouraged Santiago to travel
to Egypt to accomplish his
Personal Legend.
7. Conflict
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8. Santiago is a good example of why you should follow your personal
calling. Santiago was told by his parents that he must be a Priest but
he says that he wants to travel, and decides to become a shepherd.
Later on, he decides to follow his own heart to go and travel to Egypt to
find the treasure and to listen to the language of the omens. Santiago
faces many obstacles on his journey to Egypt, but he does not give up
and follows his heart and soul.
9. Review
We highly recommend this book. It is for everyone who are
chasing their dreams. And without a doubt a book that one
must read and then pass on.
