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An Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasures found within.… (more)
Petroglyph: The Alchemist reads like a fairy tale version of Teilhard de Chardin's much more grandiloquent work. Coelho’s “Soul of the World” is very similar to de Chardin’s noosphere, a collective consciousness that all humans are immersed in and that ultimately resolves into God Omega. All is one, all is Love (even valence bonds at an atomic level).… (more)
Jannes: Om du verkigen INTE gillade Coelho så kan du ge Vahlquists anti-berättelse en chans. Oavsett vad man tycker om hans kvaliteter är det spännande att se hur Coelho väcker så starka reaktioner åt båda hållen.
I liked this one better than the Pilgrimage...there were spots where the message resonated though too many others where it just seemed too simplistic. I don't know what it is with me and Coelho - there is this tone he uses, or something, that gives me this constant feeling that it is just about to get better (but then it never does). ( )
The alchemist: a book of retreat one moves in a sensation of back or retrograde perhaps one moves truly that way; but that are mute unawarenesses. To realize that moving is a stillness. One may travel backwards to attain knowledge and insight that prepares pilgrimages to unknowable destiny of (destination; take the etymological meanings of that given nomenclature) we travel perhaps with intentions. Move is a relative term. A terminal to in a weigh station brightens and increases value by appreciation of thus: perhaps creations or their myths… an idea of access to steal or to wield as in a habard which conceals a vision of death and life and deathlessness and night ( )
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho was one of those books I put on my reading list a long time ago and finally got around to reading recently. I really wasn't sure what to expect, but I'd heard from many people The Alchemist was worth reading. I'm glad I finally did even though at times I found it a bit too symbolic. The weaving of the supernatural, religion, and culture seemed to be a bit on the cliche side in spite of the message of the story. The Alchemist works as an allegory for having faith in the "signs" life presents as one travels through it. Coelho's writing immersed me in the story and made the characters seem all too real and surreal at the same time. The Alchemist is filled with a sense of wonder and mystery in the simplicity of the story that seems to transcend itself but really always comes back to the message that one must seek in order to find. ( )
This book doesn't know if it's a novel written in a new-age style, or a new-age self-help guide written couched as a novel length parable. As a novel, the protagonists are stilted and there is a lack of actual character development and 'insight' into many of their motives... a lack in the psychology of the characters. As a new-age primer, there is a overuse of some of the more hackneyed ideas of new-age thought..."the Soul of the World", "Personal Legend", and "dream omens" all combining toward some of the more unsavory narcissistic ideals of New Age. Still, a small diversion from more cerebral reading endeavors. ( )
Til J. Alkymisten, som kender, og som anvender Det store Værks hemmeligheder. PAULO COELHO
First words
Introduction by Coelho: I remember receiving a letter from the American Publisher Harper Collins that said that: "reading The Alchemist was like getting up at dawn and seeing the sun rise while the test of the world still slept."
The alchemist picked up a book that someone in the caravan had brought. (Prologue, trans Clifford E. Landers)
The boy's name was Santiago.
Quotations
We are told from childhood onward that everything we want to do is impossible. We grow up with this idea, and as the years accumulate, so too do the layers of prejudice, fear and guilt. There comes a time when our personal calling is so deeply buried in our soul as to be invisible. But it's still there.
He still had some doubts about the decision he had made. But he was able to understand one thing: making a decision was only the beginning of things. When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will take him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision.
"Always heed the omens", the old king had said.
Maktub (it is written)
To realise one's destiny is a person's only real obligation. All things are one. And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it', the old king said.
... Personal Legend. It's what you have always wanted to accomplish.
We are afraid of losing what we have, whether it's our life or our possessions and property. But this fear evaporates when we understand that our life stories and the history of the world were written by the same hand.
An Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasures found within.
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Book description
A young man named Santiago is on a quest to the Pyramids in Egypt following his "Personal Legend" to find a treasure. His adventures and experiences with the people he meets eventually help him discover where the true treasure is in his life.
Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations.
Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago's journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, most importantly, to follow our dreams.
Haiku summary
Santiago, shepherd, gets told by King of Salem: Follow your heart, boy! (passion4reading)
Pseudo-profound dross lures millions into parting with their hard-earned cash. (passion4reading)
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Juli 2013 : "Der Alchimist" von Paulo Coelho
Wikipedia in English (2)
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