Welcome to my personal review of The Alchemist by Paul Coelho. A book I read every year since I first received it. Wisdom and inspiration at your fingertips.
Fiction / Classic / Spirituality
5/5 rating
Please note that I try to keep my reviews fairly brief and mainly discuss my opinions. I do not like to reveal plots or spoilers as I wish the reader to experience it themselves. For anyone looking for a discussion about the contents of the book feel free to contact me! I mainly discuss the writing and my thoughts on the quality of the story. In the end, I include my favorite quotes with a quick discussion on why I chose them. If there is anything I can add to make my reviews better please do not hesitate to let me know!
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The Alchemist Review
The Alchemist by Paul Coelho is my second book finished from my TBR list for 2020. I have read this book once before in 2017, but I wanted to read it again as it fits in my trend of learning about manifestation and spirituality.
The Alchemist is a well-known classic that you will find on almost every “books you need to read in your lifetime” list and rightfully so!
Paul Coelho creates the story of a young boy who desires to travel the world so he decides to invest his life and money into being a shepherd. He is content with his life and only consciously desires to return to a merchant’s daughter to tell her he loves her.
His journey changes when he realizes that his conscious dream is not as strong and his heart’s desire for his “Personal Legend”. Following the boy’s journey, readers experience the highs and lows that can present themselves when making the decision to follow your dreams.
Like Eat, Pray, Love – my first novel read in 2020 – in The Alchemist, Paul Coelho demonstrates how many people grow into a comfortable life and then plateau in this comfort instead of striving to accomplish their “Personal Legend”. The boy knew he could not ignore the omens or the desire in his heart, although he had the option to settle, he knew he had to chase his dream.
I love this novel because it really demonstrates the difference between settling for comfortable and chasing your dreams. The Alchemist is full of wisdom and advice that is given to and/or realized by the boy. The beauty in these lessons is they can be applied to anyone in any situation. If you are looking for inspiration, this is the right read for you.
Quotes from The Alchemist
Paul Coelho presents readers with wise quotes that inspire and motivate the readers to get the most out of their lives. You would not believe the number of quotes I had to choose from to pick my favorites!
Lately, I have been reading about our connection with the universe and this book fits into that idea perfectly.
One of the main lessons in this book is that we are one with the universe and this quote emphasizes the power of the universe and how it can influence us.
You can relate this statement to the belief of manifestation. When you start really working towards a goal, you will notice the universe trying to help you.
Do not ignore the signs.
Very few people are content with just an average life. Many of us daydream about a goal we hope to achieve one day.
Having dreams is what pushes us to be better every day. Having a dream and following the path to try and achieve it is what makes us feel alive.
This quote may spark existential questions, but ask them to yourself. These are questions you need to think about.
Connecting to the idea that the universe conspires to help us, this quote highlights the importance of acknowledging these cues from the universe.
On the boy’s journey, he often speaks about omens. Regardless if it is a subconscious omen or really a sign from the universe, you need to realize the sign and take advantage of it. Either the message is coming from deep inside of you or the world around you.
Even if you are not in a place to act on a blessing, I think it is important to at least acknowledge it and be appreciative. Ignoring signs or being ungrateful will only harm you in the end.
Ask yourself: how often you have heard about the importance of “taking the first step”?
Without a beginning, there is no end. You will never achieve a goal if you never start working towards it. You will never win the lottery if you do not buy a lottery ticket.
I hope this quote inspires you to take your first step towards a goal. Once you start it will lead you in the right direction, no matter what. If it does not work out for you at least you will learn a lesson and find redirection. You are always moving forward unless you are standing still which in time translates to falling backward.
