“Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.”
—The Alchemist

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho provided hours of magical reading. It isn’t a plot-driven book, but rather a novel that provides a quiet sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the universe. The period the story takes place isn’t clear, but it begins in Spain.

Santiago, a young man, perhaps in his teens, studied to be a priest, but realized what he really wanted to do was to be a shepherd, to move around, see new places. With the blessings of his family, he sets out with his flock of sheep and discovers not only the world, but himself. It soon becomes clear that what he searches for is an alchemist, a person who transforms things for the better.

Santiago meets people along the way who teach him many truths, some good, some evil, but each experience leads him closer to life’s true meaning.

This novel has an interesting history. “The Foreword” written by the author in 2014 speaks about the interesting path the novel has taken. The book was first published in 1989 in his native Brazil. Only one person bought a copy the first week of its release, then six months later another copy sold to the same person! His publisher cancelled the contract. Another publisher agreed to take the book and gradually had great success. An American read the book and wanted to translate the book from Spanish to English and find a publisher in the United States. It didn’t happen overnight, but the book became a phenomenon, has been translated into more than eighty different languages, and has sold thousands of copies.

Paulo Coelho never wavered in his faith in the book because it speaks of his own beliefs: A man sets out on a journey seeking a beautiful or magical place and then realizes the treasure lies within himself.

Reading The Alchemist was an enlightening experience for me. I highly recommend it for those who appreciate life’s purpose and who seek wisdom of the universe.