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Shvoong Home>Books>The Alchemist Summary

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The Alchemist

Book Review by: zerozero     

Original Author: Paulo Coelho
Santiago is a simple shepherd from the Andalusian countryside, and in a recurrent dream finds himself transported to the
pyramids in Egypt with the promise of finding a hidden treasure.
Boldly deciding to follow this dream, Santiago sells his sheep and decides to follow the omens along the path prepared for him by God. During his time in Andalusia, Santiago had come to understand how to read omens, so this was not going to be a problem for him.
Africa proves for him a strange place, what with men holding hands, and women walking around with faces covered!  He is conned out of all his money by the first person who befriends him. Undeterred, he continues on his journey.
Many a hurdle lies in his way, but always Santiago manages to recapture the positive moments. He realises he does not want to be someone whose dream remains just that – a dream.
Some among us do not like change, and the slightest variation in what we consider the norm throws us. It appears some of us are in not interested in realising our dreams. It takes courage to pursue dreams, courage to go on despite many odds, and perpetual fear. The fear is partly that what we will find upon pursuing our dream will disappoint.
Santiago finds that with enthusiasm, with purpose, with love, dreams will be accomplished. He survives dangers and emerges happy and knowledgeable.
The universe will work with and for those who desire something strongly enough, who set out to get it, believing they can do it. Santiago realises that he can try new things, but always fall back on the old ones, should he fail or be disillusioned.
He learns many lessons along his chosen path, and has no regrets for having followed where his dream was to lead.
We possess within us treasure untold, we need to look for it and make use of it. Life is, indeed, made interesting by the possibility that our dreams can come true. Readers, relentlessly pursue those dreams!!!
 
Published: December 13, 2007
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