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The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream
 
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The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream (Paperback)

by Paulo Coelho (Author)
3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (284 customer reviews)
RRP: £7.99
Price: £3.98 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Product details

  • Paperback: 208 pages
  • Publisher: Thorsons; New edition edition (6 Sep 1999)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0722532938
  • ISBN-13: 978-0722532935
  • Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.4 x 1.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (284 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 571 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #1 in  Books > Fiction > Authors, A-Z > C > Coelho, Paulo
    #27 in  Books > Mind, Body & Spirit
    #29 in  Books > Fiction > Contemporary Fiction: 1970 Onwards

Product Description

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."



Review

'His books have had a life-enhancing impact on millions of people.' TIMES 'One of the few to deserve the term Publishing Phenomenon.' INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY 'Coelho's writing is beautifully poetic but his message is what counts! he gives me hope and puts a smile on my face.' DAILY EXPRESS 'I love The Alchemist.' OPRAH WINFREY 'The Alchemist is a beautiful book about magic, dreams and the treasures we seek elsewhere and then find on our doorstep.' MADONNA

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Customer Reviews

284 Reviews
5 star:
 (149)
4 star:
 (34)
3 star:
 (23)
2 star:
 (29)
1 star:
 (49)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.7 out of 5 stars (284 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
36 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic, 10 Jan 2009
By Fernanda Franco - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This classic, beautiful tale about following one's quest and the power of the "Personal Legend", as the author calls it, was an easy and enjoyable read. I found the story of Santiago's (the main character's) spiritual travels through Spain very inspiring.
It reconnected me with the magic and adventure of going for my dreams. Coelho's wise and direct words, reminded me of the book Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: The 3 Simple Ideas That Will Instantaneously Transform Your Life and Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenmentby Ariel and Shya Kane. I came across them in my own search and their books have touched my heart deeply and have also been catalysts for a profound shift in the way I experience life these days: easy, enjoyable and full of miracles!
I recommend no matter at which point in life you are at, to check out Coehlo's and the Kane's books which are great tools for well-being and modern day enlightenment.
Share them with your friends and family!!
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29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Alchemist, 12 Mar 2007
By Spider Monkey (UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   
Coelho's most famous book and the first one I read. This is fairly typical of his style and offers his usual words of spiritual wisdom in an easy accessible (almost fairy story style) read. His books are very simplistic, but have some interesting philosophy and some nice ways of phrasing timeless ideas. As long as you expect an easy, innocuous read, and don't expect the lofty spiritual read often touted, then you should be fine. This is a great story, with beautiful sentiments and is worth it for that alone.
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63 of 73 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Please read this book., 18 Aug 1999
By A Customer
This book is a simple gift from the heavens, like so many other things in our world which go un-noticed. Read it in a day, or draw the pleasure out over three and have your life changed irrevocably without even trying. I read this book four years ago the first time, and finished it yesterday the second time. On both occasions, I was inspired into letting myself dream, and more so, to not be afraid to demand that these dreams be realised. Since then, somehow, I've come full circle around the world and into the arms of amazing friends and miraculous opportunities for growth. This book mightn't teach you anything you don't already know, but it's story will inspire you, and remind you of the moments when you feel love within your body, stronger than any other earthly bond known to humankind. That kind of love is what this book is about: it seeks to help us live it for ourselves.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical
This book is the most beautiful book to read. It really inspires you, especially if you are going through a difficult time with life. Read more
Published 6 days ago by Ms. Julia M. Dunstan

5.0 out of 5 stars A good read
I read this whilst in hospital - it is a gripping story told in a very readable way. I read it in a little over a day despite the constant interuptions that always happen when in... Read more
Published 1 month ago by T. Willis

1.0 out of 5 stars Vacuous, confused, utter nonsense!
I purchased 'The Alchemist' thinking that it was an actual novel which just happened to be inspiring to many people. Read more
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4.0 out of 5 stars 13 years apart
I read this book about 13 years ago and remember enjoying it then. I thought of it once durring that time, but couldn't remember the details or the name. Read more
Published 1 month ago by L. Davidson

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, up to a point..
I found this book very pleasant to read, but lost interest in it towards the end. The early part of the story is much more down-to-earth, and engrained in reality, as the shepherd... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Oona Ware

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb
Paulo Coelho for beginners.

A simple journey becomes a tale of discovery and self development for the reader alongside the main character. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dr. Hemma Sungum

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book
Probably one of the best books to read in you lifetime.
The version sent was of an old cover design but of corse does not reflect the content, infact I prefer the older... Read more
Published 2 months ago by T. Murchie

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't do it!
I was lent this book by a well meaning friend and somehow i managed to reach the end. This is a boring, patronising and badly written book which lacks any humour or real insight... Read more
Published 4 months ago by jon

1.0 out of 5 stars inspirational or insipid?
I can see why this book is popular. It is 'inspirational' and 'spiritual' and I can, kind of, see how it might touch people especially if they're looking for that kind of... Read more
Published 4 months ago by P. Perry

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound and easy to read.
An alchemist can turn base metals into gold. We can turn our destiny into reality. The tricky part is to understand what that destiny is and then be prepared to sacrifice... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. G. Craig

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