THE ALCHEMIST

THE ALCHEMIST
An International Best Seller

by
PAULO COELHO

Just inside the front cover of the above titled book, it states as follows:  Paulo Coelho was born in Brazil and has become one of the most widely read authors in the world today.  Renowned for his best-loved work “The Alchemist,” he has sold over 75 million books worldwide and has been translated into 61 languages. The recipient of numerous prestigious awards, he is a storyteller with the power to inspire nations and change people’s lives. He and his wife, Christina, live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and France.

Then on the title page of “The Alchemist” a young friend of mine has written a note directed to me (the book was her gift to me and it became one of my treasures). Her note reads: “This book is the very first thing we bought when we got to Rome.  It changed our lives and helped us to hear.  May it do the same for you.  I love you. Kellee ( and Glenn and Beta)  May 2007.”  And so I began my journey with “The Alchemist.”

Paulo Coelho, in his “Author’s Note” (Translated by Margaret Jull Costa) says: The book has been translated into 61 languages, has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, and people are beginning to ask: “What’s the secret behind such a huge success?”  The only honest response is that I don’t know.  All I know is that, like Santiago the shepherd boy, we all need to be aware of our personal calling. What is a personal calling?  It is God’s blessing, it is the path that God chose for you here on Earth.  Whenever we do something that fills us with enthusiasm, we are following our legend.  However, we don’t all have the courage to confront our own dream.  Why?

He goes on to list four obstacles and his view of the obstacles seems esoteric to me in its interpretation, nevertheless, the book leads one toward the denoument which he states in his last sentence: “ --- if you believe yourself worthy of the thing you fought so hard to get, then you become an instrument of God, you help the Soul of the World, and you understand why you are here.”

This book is the simple yet profound story of a shepherd boy’s journey in search of treasure --- oh, wait, I must not give up the secret.    You must read the book.   It is a delightful story, well told, interest holding, wisdom unfolding, and quite delightful.

You will find that “It will help you to hear.”