If in writing this novel, Paulo Coelho's intention was to awaken, in his reader, a sense of belief in self and in destiny, then I must say he has been incredibly successful on both counts.
In its simplest form, The Alchemist is a tale of travel and adventure, of a young Andalusian shepherd on a quest for a worldly treasure. But dig a little deeper and you discover underlying themes of optimism, love, hope and despair, of omens and destiny, and ultimately, of the courage to follow your 'personal legend'.
One afternoon, on a visit to his family, Santiago summoned up the courage to tell his father that after 16 years of attending the seminary, he didn't want to become a priest. That he wanted to travel.
The next day the father gave Santiago three Spanish gold coins. "I found these in the fields. I wanted them to be part of your inheritance. But use them to buy your flock. Take to the fields, and someday you'll learn that our countryside is the best, and our women the most beautiful."
When, after 2 years of travel, the Alchemist appears to Santiago in the guise of a wise king, he convinces the lad to part with his sheep and travel to the pyramids of Egypt where he will discover treasure beyond his wildest expectations.
And so his real journey begins.
"When you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true". This is the philosophical thread that binds the novel. Coelho's writing enchants us as he weaves his way through a spiritual world filled with messages of hope, while at the same time, warning us against apathy and cowardice. The Alchemist tells us that the worlds greatest lie is "that at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate".
Coelho tells us in no uncertain terms that those of us who do not have the courage to pursue our very own "Personal legend", are destined for a life of unfulfilled dreams, sadness, and emptiness. Fear of failing appears to be our biggest barrier to happiness. When the crystal merchant ruefully admits why he won't travel to Mecca. "Because it's the thought of Mecca that keeps me alive. That's what helps me face these days that are all the same. I'm afraid that if my dream is realised, I'll have no reason to go on living". It is here that Coelho reveals the true soul of his novel. The man who trades his dreams for a life of mediocrity, who knows he can succeed but doesn't have the courage to do so, ends up living a wasted life.
The Alchemist is a symbolic tale infused with clichéd prose and simple metaphors about love, loss, self truth, courage and destiny and for that reason it will appeal to a broad cross section of the reading community.
A beautifully written, easy to read short novel that fills us with hope, teaches us humility and encourages us not just to dream, but to act.
Four Stars
Scottie.
