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Amazon.co.uk Review
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 sense 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 Andalucian 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 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."

Synopsis
"The Alchemist" is a global phenomenon, selling over 30 million copies worldwide. This exciting new edition includes exclusive content, such as a new forward to the book by the author, an interview with Paulo Coelho, and much more, providing an in-depth look at this much-loved title. Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. This is such a book - a magical fable about learning to listen to your heart, read the omens strewn along life's path and, above, all follow your dreams. This is the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who dreams of travelling the world in search of a worldly treasure as fabulous as any ever found. From his home in Spain, he journeys to the markets of Tangiers, and from there into the Egyptian desert, where a fateful encounter with the alchemist awaits him. With Paulo Coelho's visionary blend of spirituality, magical realism and folklore, "The Alchemist" is a story with the power to inspire nations and change people's lives.

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247 Reviews 5 star:  (126) 4 star:  (31) 3 star:  (19) 2 star:  (26) 1 star:  (45)           Average Customer Review (247 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   8 of 8 people found the following review helpful: Simple answers for a fulfilling life, 15 Aug 2006 By  Pat V. - See all my reviews It would be all too easy to shoot this book down because it's not overly intellectual- the story is a simple one, told simply. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Here, simple works, as Coelho strips away the all-too-human tendency to over-analyze human motivation and purpose, showing us instead that we don't have to tie ourselves in philosophical knots to achieve genuine fulfillment. Rather than a Rube Goldberg approach to life, sometimes the simple truths are the right ones by virtue of their simplicity. The trick is to realize that complexity is not always superior, that affairs of the heart are not always served better by our intellectual abilities. And as Coelho's simple fable shows, that realization can be difficult to obtain, but is worth pursuing for the happiness that results. There's another enjoyable fable called An Audience for Einstein that explores similar ideas in a different way. I would recommend both for everyone school age through adult.  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)   7 of 7 people found the following review helpful: Beautiful & Thought Provoking, 11 April 2006 By A Customer The Alchemist is a beautifully written book littered with messages about following your heart & soul in your quest for finding yourself in life, your meaning, your purpose, your destiny. We're all on that journey but only if you realise this will you relate to what the book highlights - it's an inspiration and a gentle reminder of what's good and how positive life can be - if you're not on that trail you will not get it. I think any book that ignites the imagination and makes you realise your soul purpose is a good book by any standard - take from it what you want - I thought it was lovely and fully recommend it to anyone with an open mind, heart and soul. Om Shanti.  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)   7 of 7 people found the following review helpful: Thought Provoking, 27 May 2005 By  John Heaton (Budapest, Hungary) - See all my reviews       How many of us are happy with our lot in life? How many of us are secretly envious of the author's journey from shepherd boy to self realisation? Well, for a start, I even found myself being secretly envious of his life as a shepherd! A life spent in the company of a handful of sheep may not sound the most absorbing life but it is totally devoid of the complications which most of us have to deal with. And moreover, the shepherd's life is spent more or less 100% in the company of Mother Nature which cannot be a bad thing. Going to sleep under the stars. Every night. I have done this just the once. I even remember the exact date, that is how fantastic it was. July 1986. In California. The night before the Lendl Becker Wimbledon Final. Of course this argument is torn to shreds if it is pissing down with rain. Or if you happen to be in Iceland. But for me then, under am inspiring clear starry sky it was utterly magical. So then comes the question. Why did the author jack all this in to sell tea from crystal glasses? A good question. And the best explanation I can come up with is that it led him to his true love, Fatima. Unfortunate name I found as it rather reminded me of the rotund British athlete Fatima Whitbread. Why couldn't she have been called Bernadette or Kathy for God1s sake. Probably because the author was Brazilian and had never heard of Ms Whitbread. But this is a minor grumble. One doesn't need to philosophise too much. The author carries us with him in his journey. One is full of admiration of his resilience, for example when his new "friend" in the bar runs off with all his money. Leaving him with nothing. Nothing. No sheep, no nothing. Imagine. But he perseveres and it all come right in the end. I particularly like the dialogue with The Wind and The Sun. For sure they must have something to say. I may even open a crystal glass tea shop on the top of a hill after reading this book. It is not a book with a formula on how to get rich however. Far from it. Just one man, struggling with his own self worth. And ultimately his desire for the woman he loves. But one question does linger. Why would Fatima, I mean Bernadette, not have accepted him as the shepherd boy he was? I thought true love was supposed to transcend material possessions! Minor quibble again. This is a Good Book. Thought provoking for sure, and God we need books like this these days.  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you?