Why Should You Read 'The Alchemist ' - Novel Review

Many times, I have heard people quoting, reading, and discussing the wisdom poured in the book 'The Alchemist', but I never sincerely paid attention to it., because I was under the impression that it is a philosophical book and I should read it once I have enough time to contemplate and reflect on it. But one fine day I happen to take the book, and once I picked it up, I put it down only after finishing the entire novel. Yes, it is this interesting and engaging. Also, one doesn't require to be a philosopher to understand. It's written in simple language with deep meaning and can be easily understood by everyone. The book is a masterpiece of just 161 pages. And, the best result can be attained if one reads it while one is still on the way to attain one's destiny because it is a type of guide to them. As I proceeded, the rationale behind the title became clearer and clearer, and newer perspectives to look at my dreams emerged.

The Alchemist is a story about pursuing one’s destiny. Although, earlier I thought that destiny and one’s goal in life are two different things, but through the story, I knew that they are somewhat the same. 

Basically, the story is the narration of a  shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from the Andalusian hills  (Spain) to Egypt via the Sahara and the Mediterranean to find the treasure hidden in the pyramids of Egypt.

To pursue his destiny, he is directed by several “omens” in his environment. He just needs to interpret those omens correctly and move on. He meets an old gypsy woman, who forecasts that he will find treasure someday. Afterward, he is assisted by an old man who calls himself a king and offers him two stones 'Urim' and 'Thummim'. These stones could be used in times of dilemma for the interpretation of dreams. As he moves ahead, he is robbed of all his money and decides to work so that he can buy some sheep to keep going. He works with love and determination at a glass vessel shop and brings back the fortune of the shopkeeper.

On his way to Sahara, he befriends an Englishmen in the caravan who is in search of an Alchemist. On meeting the Alchemist, the  Englishman will learn from him the knowledge to convert lead into gold- an art of alchemy.

In the oasis, he meets a desert woman, his lady love Fatima and learns that true love will always promote one to pursue one's dream at any cost. Thereafter he meets the Alchemist who shows him the path to the treasure.

He meets many dead ends and sufferers terribly in new lands during his travel, but he never opts to quit. He has a firm belief in the omens and his destiny to become rich.

Ultimately, he reaches the pyramid. He tries hard, digs the sand but fails to get the treasure instead he is terribly beaten by two refugees of the desert.

He comes back to the Church he began his travel from and finds all the treasure over there itself. And that's the end of the story.

So, the bottom line is that if one puts all attention in pursuance of one's dream, God helps them to attain the same. The novel mentions "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it".

Never give up, life is all about pursuing one's destiny.