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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 (276 customer reviews)
RRP: £7.99
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Product details

  • Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Thorsons; New edition edition (6 Sep 1999)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0722532938
  • ISBN-13: 978-0722532935
  • Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.8 x 1.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (276 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 396 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
    #50 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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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream
94% buy the item featured on this page:
The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream 3.7 out of 5 stars (276)
£4.12
Jonathan Livingston Seagull: A Story
2% buy
Jonathan Livingston Seagull: A Story 4.6 out of 5 stars (79)
£3.77
Veronika Decides to Die
1% buy
Veronika Decides to Die 4.1 out of 5 stars (69)
£4.31
Eleven Minutes
1% buy
Eleven Minutes 3.5 out of 5 stars (46)
£4.31

 

Customer Reviews

276 Reviews
5 star:
 (144)
4 star:
 (32)
3 star:
 (23)
2 star:
 (29)
1 star:
 (48)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.7 out of 5 stars (276 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
35 of 39 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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61 of 71 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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27 of 31 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 100 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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Most Recent Customer Reviews

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 13 days 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 17 days 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 18 days ago by Mr. G. Craig

3.0 out of 5 stars Okay novel but not a great spiritual read
I had high expectations for this novel having heard good things about it. I understood it to be a symbolic story of finding yourself, your true nature. Read more
Published 18 days ago by M_rose

2.0 out of 5 stars The Alchemist
Dissappointing. Didn't leave me with any feelings about the deeper meaning of life, contrary to my expectations given the cover reviews.
Published 29 days ago by Ms. R. Evans

4.0 out of 5 stars A good story
this story is uplifting & bright. It makes you want to follow your heart and be aware of your feelings. :)
Published 1 month ago by Mr. G. K. Jones

5.0 out of 5 stars Personal favourite
As cliche as this sounds, this book was recommended to me by a friend at a time when I really needed some reassurance and direction. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ms. L. A. Maxwell

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for Personal Growth
The Alchemist illustrates many reasons why life decisions and choices are made and why, on many occasions dreams are left behind. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. W. Mohammed

5.0 out of 5 stars journeys to the soul
This beautiful story transported me into a state of wonderment, in which I became swept up in the quest of the young seeker, Santiago, as he searched for knowledge. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jenny Briggs

3.0 out of 5 stars Its okay but nothing more
Boys leaves "home" to search for his dream only to realise it was where he began his journey.
Enjoyable enough but certainly not the answer to the meaning of life.
Published 2 months ago by Anthony Fitton

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