The Alchemist is a novel by Paulo Coelho first
published in 1988. Originally written in Portuguese, it has been translated
into 71 languages as of 2011.
Paulo Coelho’s enchanting novel has inspired a
devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its simplicity and
wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his
homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of treasure buried in the
Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king,
and an Alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No
one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the
obstacles along the way But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods
turns into a meditation on the treasures found within. Lush, evocative, and
deeply humane, the story of Santiago is art eternal testament to the
transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.
