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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 869.342
EAN num: 9780061122415
ISBN number: 0061122416
Label: HarperCollins
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 208
Printing Date: May 01, 2006
Publishing house: HarperCollins
Release Date: April 25, 2006
Sale Popularity Level: 157
Studio: HarperCollins
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Amazon.com:
Like the one-time bestseller Jonathan Livingston Seagull, The Alchemist presents a simple fable, based on simple truths and places it in a highly unique situation. And though we may sniff a bestselling formula, it is certainly not a new one: even the ancient tribal storytellers knew that this is the most successful method of entertaining an audience while slipping in a lesson or two. Brazilian storyteller Paulo Coehlo introduces Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who one night dreams of a distant treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. And so he's off: leaving Spain to literally follow his dream.
Along the way he meets many spiritual messengers, who come in unassuming forms such as a camel driver and a well-read Englishman. In one of the Englishman's books, Santiago very first learns about the alchemists--men who believed that if a metal were heated for many years, it would free itself of all its individual properties, and what was left would be the 'Soul of the World.' Of course he does eventually meet an alchemist, and the ensuing student-teacher relationship clarifies much of the boy's misguided agenda, while also emboldening him to stay true to his dreams. 'My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer,' the boy confides to the alchemist one night as they look up at a moonless night.
'Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself,' the alchemist replies. 'And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity.' --Gail Hudson
Product Description:
My Heart Is Afraid that it will have to suffer,' the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up at the moonless sky.'Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams.'Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. The Alchemist is such a book. With over a million and a half copies sold around the world, The Alchemist has already established itself as a modern classic, universally admired. Paulo Coelho's charming fable, now available in English for the very first time, will enchant and inspire an even wider audience of readers for generations to come.
The Alchemist is the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found. From his home in Spain he journeys to the markets of Tangiers and across the Egyptian desert to a fateful encounter with the alchemist.
The story of the treasures Santiago finds along the way teaches us, as only a few stories have done, about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, above all, following our dreams.
Download Description:
My Heart Is Afraid that it will have to suffer,' the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up at the moonless sky.'Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams.'
Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. The Alchemist is such a book. With over a million and a half copies sold around the world, The Alchemist has already established itself as a modern classic, universally admired. Paulo Coelho's charming fable, now available in English for the very first time, will enchant and inspire an even wider audience of readers for generations to come.
The Alchemist is the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found. From his home in Spain he journeys to the markets of Tangiers and across the Egyptian desert to a fateful encounter with the alchemist.
The story of the treasures Santiago finds along the way teaches us, as only a few stories have done, about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, above all, following our dreams.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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I hadn't read any reviews about The Alchemist. I had not heard of Paulo Coelho, but his book found me last weekend. Jumped off the shelf at a local bookstore. A simple yet enlightening read that came at a time when I needed it most.
A paperback omen to help me on the way as I pursue my Personal Legend.
T.Armstrong
Rated by buyers 
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I had heard that this book was a really good read, but I had to struggle through it. It's translated into English so that makes it a little more difficult to read. It was a little more grey and white that I was expecting. I felt this, this happened...things like that. Not pondering really and why things were the way they were. I would not read it again and I wouldn't lend it out to anyone telling them it is worth their time.
Rated by buyers 
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Let me go over once more the rating system here on iread: 3 is a definit "liked it". Therefore, I hope no fans are offended by the fact that I gave this 3 stars, though I would like to mention that if half-ratings, were possible this would be a 3.5. I fought between a three or a four, but decided to go with the lower score. I don't know why. Maybe just to be mean. But there were parts of the book that did move me deeply. Key word: parts.
I like a good fable or fairy tale as much as the subsequent person. Actually, I like to think a like them much more than the subsequent person. I had heard of the wonders of this book for years and years and had always meant to read it. Now that I have, I'm pleased. It is a good book that is worth reading.
However, I think I would have preferred it had Coelho put all his lovely thoughts down in a nice little essay. As I said, I like my fables, but I like them in a fable format with plenty of symbolism and subtleties that is not explained step-by-step to me. Something that will leave the majority of the interpretation to the reader, which in my opinion makes it all the better. I like to discover things. I don't like them explained to me unless I ask. Really, had Coelho shut up about every detail about the Soul of the World and the Personal Legend, he would have left a beautiful story about a boy following a dream that probably would have had the same message. Maybe not as obvious, but I'm sure the observant reader would have picked it up.
That all said, I must remind you that I did like this book and I will probably read it again someday. I know lots of people found the message eye-roll worthy, but I am a sap that appreciates this. In fact, I believe it is a message that rebels against all the cynicim in our world and that the reviewers here that despised the ending did not fully understand it.
I also like Coelho's style. I'm a simple girl and I think that if the words get the job done, so be it. Who needs the flowery words? Besides, it's a simple story (minus all the blatant philosophy) suited to simple, pure writing.
Heck, I even think there was a decent enough adventure story in there. I admit I did find myself once or twice caught up in the deserts and their beauty. I liked the ideas of wars and tribesman and Englishman. And hey, I loved the romance.
I just don't think the sole purpose of these things should be to carry a message. Couldn't the message just be found through them?
Rated by buyers -
One of the purest books ever. Talks so plainly about the biggest truths of the universe.
Rated by buyers -
Mildly entertaining, read it because it was highly recommended elsewhere. A little too cheesy for me. All I can say is the universe is conspiring but not toward our success! Enjoy.
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