Top 25 growth books - XII

The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho

A few quotes from the book:

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” 

“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” 

The Alchemist was first published in the year 1988 in Portuguese by its Brazilian-born author, Paulo Coelho. Translated in more than 70 languages, this book has sold more than 75 million copies becoming one of the best selling books in history. It is an allegorical novel.

Santiago, a shepherd boy, has a recurring dream about a child who tells him that he will find a hidden treasure if he travels to the Egyptian pyramids. After a period of uncertainty, Santiago sells his flock and sails to Tangier, in northern Africa. Shortly after he arrives there, a thief steals all of Santiago's money, so the shepherd boy decides to look for a way to make enough money to return home. He finds work in the shop of a crystal merchant, where Santiago makes improvements that reap considerable financial rewards.

After eleven months of working in the shop, Santiago travels to Egypt in a caravan in pursuit of his treasure. After a series of adventures, he reaches the pyramids where he is robbed. However one of the robber recounts his own dream about a buried treasure in the sacristy of an abandoned church.

Returning to Andalusia, Santiago goes back to the church where he had dreamt of the treasure near the pyramids. He digs where he slept, beneath a sycamore tree. He finds his treasure.

A tale for kids around a campfire? The difference is the values that the author weaves into the story in a simple way which is the sign of a genius. The quotes give an indication on the value content of this book.

A must read.

Namaste

Prabir