Book Review-The-Alchemist
"The Alchemist", written by Paulo Coelho (a Brazilian author), was published in 1988 for the first time. It is a well-known and highly-regarded book that has sold millions of copies globally, been translated into multiple languages, and been a bestseller in several countries. The thie novel is filled with spiritual and philosophical themes and has been widely renowned for its inspirational message.
It is a philosophical story about a young shepherd named Santiago from Andalusia, Spain, who goes on a journey to discover his legend and fulfill his dreams by achieving the treasure of his life. He encounters a number of people along the way who assist him learn crucial lessons and lead him toward his purpose. In the end, he finds the treasure. However, it was not what he expected. There, he learns that the real treasure was the journey that he went on. The story ends with Santiago returning to the girl he fell in love with along the way and reflecting on the lessons he learned about following his dreams and listening to his heart.
What makes this book a Bestseller?
The success and bestseller status of "The Alchemist" are due to several factors. These factors include:
Inspiring message:
The book conveys an inspiring message about following your dreams and pursuing your legend.
Universal Themes:
The book possesses universal themes that make it suitable for a wide range of readers. those themes consist of following one's own heart and embarking on a journey of self-discovery with the assistance of natural forces.
Simple Language:
Even those who cannot speak English well, find the book easy to read and understand because of the book's clear, straightforward, and concise writing style.
Engaging storytelling:
The book is organized with a captivating narrative and engaging storyline that attracts readers and maintains their interest throughout.
Cross-cultural appeal:
The book talks about different elements, such as Sufism, Christianity, and traditional folklore, creating a cross-cultural appeal that helped it become a global bestseller.
Lessons that one can learn from this book.
One can learn several lessons from "The Alchemist". Some of them include:
Following your dreams: This book emphasizes the importance of pursuing one's dreams and not giving up, in any sort of hardship.
The power of the universe: The book suggests that the universe has a unique way of guiding us toward our destiny with the help of omens. The universe wants every beginner to succeed, what the author refers to as beginner's luck, and suggests that we should trust in the process.
The importance of taking risks: In order to accomplish their goals, the book urges readers to take chances and move outside of their comfort zone.
Personal transformation: The main character, Santiago, undergoes a significant personal transformation throughout the book. The reader is reminded that personal growth is a lifelong process.
Appreciating the present moment:
The book serves as a mild reminder that life is short and that we must enjoy the here and now and try not to worry too much about the future.
Reference lines / Quotes
Take risks: "If you start by promising what you don't even have yet, you'll lose your desire to work towards getting it." (Page 21)
Believe in yourself: "Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is." (Page 23)
Learn from failures: "There is only one way to learn. It's through action." (Page 25)
Live in the present moment: "I don't live in either my past or my future. I'm interested only in the present." (Page 88)
Follow your intuition: "Intuition is a sudden immersion of the soul into the universal current of life." (Page 88)
Be grateful: "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." (Page 120)
Trust the process: "Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure." (Page 128)
Embrace the journey: "The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times." (Page 129)
Best Quote
Although, there are many great quotes in "The Alchemist," one of the most famous and inspiring is:
"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
This quote speaks to the power of determination, belief, and the interconnectedness of the universe. It encourages readers to pursue their dreams and trust in the journey, knowing that the universe will support them along the way.
Critics:
The opinions of critics of "The Alchemist" are mixed.
The book has received appreciation from several readers for its straightforward yet profound writing style and its inspiring message of listening to one's heart and achieving one's aspirations. However, Some critics argue that the book lacks depth in its characters and themes. They also criticized the book for its overly simplistic and idealistic portrayal of life and its philosophy.
Despite some negative thoughts and criticism, it remains a popular and influential book among readers who appreciate its message of hope and personal growth.
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