The Alchemist
Title: The Alchemist
Author: Paulo Coelho
Type: Fiction
Published in: 1988
Number of copies sold: ~150
million
Curious fact: The book has been translated into 80 different
languages, making Paulo Coelho the Guinness World Record holder for being the most
translated living author in the world.1
Best quote from the book:
When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve
it.
summary
A young shepherd boy in Southern Spain has the
same dream about a hidden treasure in Egypt, over and over again, which
eventually leads him to investigate it. He learns that one day, everyone finds
out what their destiny is and that it requires passion and desire to make your
destiny become a reality. Along the journey to find the treasure he meets
new and strange people, some of which become his friends and touch his heart.
The combined teachings of his companions finally lead him to a realization that
is much bigger than even the treasure itself.
Why is it such a motivational book?
The book’s core theme is destiny. This is combined
with many mysterious characters and deep, thoughtful lessons, often in the
form of riddles and puzzles. Yet, the book uses such plain language, that
anyone can understand it. That’s how this book constantly speaks to your curiosity,
without making you feel overwhelmed. It’s impossible to put down, leaves you
with a sense of wonder and gratitude about the world and gives you an
incredible drive
to explore your own destiny.
I remember finishing it in very few sittings, over the course of
which I started going to bed at 9 pm (even though I was studying abroad in the
US at the time, with 5 party animals as roommates), waking up at 5, watching
the sunset, walking around in the nearby forest a lot, and beginning to think
about what I really want out of life. That’s the power the book has: it makes you think.
A lot.
