The Alchemist pdf Summary, Movie, Quotes, Review, Audiobook, Characters

The Alchemist pdf by Paulo Coelho (Portuguese: O Alquimista) is a novel by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho which was first published in 1988. Originally written in Portuguese, it became a widely translated international bestseller.  An allegorical novel, The Alchemist follows a young Andalusian shepherd in his journey to the pyramids of Egypt, after having a recurring dream of finding a treasure there. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho continues to change the lives of its readers forever. With more than two million copies sold around the world, The Alchemist has established itself as a modern classic, universally admired. In this article, you will be able to download the pdf version of the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho as wella s do the following:

  • Get The Alchemist pdf summary by Paulo Coelho
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  • Major characters in the book The Alchemist pdf
  • Quotes from the alchemist pdf by Paulo Coelho
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The Alchemist pdf Summary by Paulo Coelho

An Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago dreams of a treasure while in a ruined church. He consults a Gypsy fortune-teller about the meaning of the recurring dream. The woman interprets it as a prophecy, telling the boy that he will discover a treasure at the Egyptian pyramids. After Santiago sets out, he meets an old king Melchizedek, or the king of Salem, who tells him to sell his sheep so as to travel to Egypt and accomplish his ‘Personal Legend’. Early on his arrival in Africa, a man who claims to be able to take Santiago to the pyramids instead robs him of the money he had made from his flock. Santiago then has to work for a crystal merchant so to earn enough to get to the pyramids.

Along the way, the boy meets an Englishman who has come in search of an alchemist and continues his travels with his new companion. When they reach an oasis, Santiago meets and falls in love with an Arabian girl named Fatima, to whom he proposes marriage. She promises to marry him only after he completes his journey. Frustrated at first, he later learns that true love will not stop nor must one sacrifice one’s destiny to it, since to do so robs it of truth.

The boy then encounters a wise alchemist, who teaches him to realize his true self. Together, they risk a journey through the territory of warring tribes, where Santiago is forced to demonstrate his oneness with “the soul of the world” by turning himself into a dust storm before he is allowed to proceed. When he begins digging within sight of the pyramids, he is robbed yet again, but accidentally learns from the leader of the thieves that the treasure he sought was all along in the ruined church where he had his original dream.

About the author The Alchemist pdf – Paulo Coelho

Paulo Coelho, (born August 24, 1947, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Brazilian novelist known for employing rich symbolism in his depictions of the often spiritually motivated journeys taken by his characters. Coelho was raised in Rio de Janeiro. He rebelled against the conventions of his Roman Catholic upbringing and, as a result, was temporarily committed to a psychiatric hospital by his parents. Coelho dropped out of law school in 1970 and traveled through South America, Mexico, North Africa, and Europe. In 1972 he returned home and began writing pop and rock music lyrics with Raul Seixas, a well- known Brazilian singer and songwriter. In 1974 Coelho was briefly imprisoned for alleged subversive activities against the Brazilian government. He is one of the bestselling and most influential authors in the world. The Alchemist, The Pilgrimage, The Valkyries, Brida, Veronika Decides to Die, Eleven Minutes, The Zahir, The Witch of Portobello, The Winner Stands Alone, Aleph, Manuscript Found in Accra, and Adultery, among others, have sold 150 million copies worldwide.

Information about the book The Alchemist (Bookdepository)

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
  • Format Paperback | 182 pages
  • Dimensions 106 x 168 x 13mm | 104g
  • Publication date 01 Jun 2020
  • Publisher Harper
  • Publication City/Country United States
  • Language English
  • Edition Statement 25th
  • Illustrations note black & white illustrations
  • ISBN13 9780062355300
  • Bestsellers rank 234

Excerpt from the alchemist by Paulo Coelho

THE BOY’S NAME WAS SANTIAGO. DUSK was falling as the boy arrived with his herd at an abandoned church. The roof had fallen in long ago, and an enormous sycamore had grown on the spot where the sacristy had once stood. He decided to spend the night there. He saw to it that all the sheep entered through the ruined gate, and then laid some planks across it to prevent the flock from wandering away during the night. There were no wolves in the region, but once an animal had strayed during the night, and the boy had had to spend the entire next day searching for it. He swept the floor with his jacket and lay down, using the book he had just finished reading as a pillow. He told himself that he would have to start reading thickerbooks: they lasted longer, and made more comfortable pillows. It was still dark when he awoke, and, looking up, he could see the stars through the half-destroyed roof. I wanted to sleep a little longer, he thought. He had had the same dream that night as a week ago, and once again he had awakened before it ended.

He arose and, taking up his crook, began to awaken the sheep that still slept. He had noticed that, as soon as he awoke, most of his animals also began to stir. It was as if some mysterious energy bound his life to that of the sheep, with whom he had spent the past two years, leading them through the countryside in search of food and water. “They are so used to me that they know my schedule, ” he muttered. Thinking about that for a moment, he realized that it could be the other way around: that it was he who had become accustomed to their schedule. But there were certain of them who took a bit longer to awaken. The boy prodded them, one by one, with his crook, calling each by name. He had always believed that the sheep were able to understand what he said. So there were times when he read them parts of his books that had made an impression on him, or when he would tell them of the loneliness or the happiness of a shepherd in the fields. Sometimes he would comment to them on the things he had seen in the villages they passed.

Major characters in The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Santiago

Santiago, a shepherd boy from a small Andalusian town, is the protagonist of The Alchemist. He is determined, headstrong, and curious to learn all he can about the world. As a result, he resisted his parent’s desires that he become a priest and chose instead to work as a shepherd so that he would have the opportunity to travel throughout the country. Despite his natural adventurousness, Santiago remains conservative and self-satisfied in many ways until he dreams of uncovering a treasure hidden near the pyramids in Egypt. Santiago hesitates to pursue his dream until he meets Melchizedek, a mysterious old man who claims to be the king of Salem. After Melchizedek reveals to him the magical powers of nature, Santiago becomes a willing spiritual seeker and sets off to fulfill his Personal Legend, the innate dream each person has of accomplishing their greatest desire.

The Alchemist

Supposedly 200 years old, the alchemist is a mysterious character and an extremely powerful practitioner of alchemy who resides at the Al-Fayoum oasis. Many in Al-Fayoum do not know of his existence, and even the tribal chieftains must request an audience if they wish to see him. He has among his possessions the Master Work, considered the ultimate goal of alchemy, which consists of the Philosopher’s Stone, capable of turning any metal into gold, and the Elixir of Life, able to cure all ills. In addition, he appears to possess magical powers. The alchemist mainly functions as a teacher to Santiago, though he often speaks in riddles and expects Santiago to learn more through experience than through verbal instruction. The alchemist’s teachings connect the book’s dominant metaphor of alchemy—transforming one element into another more valuable element—to Santiago’s own journey. The alchemist’s wisdom connects him to the mystical Soul of the World. This connection provides him with his supernatural abilities, and it allows him to guide Santiago on his own quest to understand the Soul of the World.

Crystal Merchant

A struggling merchant who owns a crystal shop on top of a desolate hill. His shop was once popular but lost much of its business as Tangier lost its status as Egypt’s premiere port town. He is a good-hearted, devout Muslim, but has a crippling fear of change.

Englishman

A well-educated science student determined to learn the secrets of alchemy by learning from a true alchemist. He is a skeptic and loves reading his books.

Melchizedek

The King of Salem. He appears to possess magical powers and helps those pursuing their Personal Legends.

Fatima

A beautiful and chaste young “desert woman” who lives at the Al-Fayoum Oasis. She understands that she must allow Santiago to travel in pursuit of his dream.

Gypsy

An old women living in Tarifa who interprets dreams. She reads palms and uses black-magic iconography, but she also keeps images of Christ.

Camel Driver

A friendly former orchard owner and devout Muslim who feels content with his life despite losing his orchard in a flood. He has made the pilgrimage to Mecca and lives his life in service of omens from God.

The Tribal Chieftain of Al-Fayoum

A strict and ruthless tribal chieftain who lives in luxury. He enforces Al-Fayoum’s status as a neutral ground and believes in dreams and omens.

Merchant’s daughter

The beautiful and intelligent raven-haired daughter of the merchant who buys wool from Santiago.

The Monk

A welcoming Coptic monk living in a monastery near the pyramids of Egypt.

Merchant

A merchant who buys wool from Santiago on a yearly basis. He worries about being cheated so he demands that any wool he buys be sheared from the sheep in his presence.

Santiago’s father

A kindly, unadventurous family man who hoped Santiago would become a priest but gives him his blessing to become a shepherd.

Quotes from the alchemist by Paulo Coelho

“I don’t live in either my past or my future. I’m interested only in the present. If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man. Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, because life is the moment we’re living now.”

“Your eyes show the strength of your soul.”

 “When each day is the same as the next, it’s because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises.”

“You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it’s better to listen to what it has to say.”

“Every blessing ignored becomes a curse.”

“Why do we have to listen to our hearts?” the boy asked.

“Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you will find your treasure.”

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

“It was the pure Language of the World. It required no explanation, just as the universe needs none as it travels through endless time. What the boy felt at that moment was that he was in the presence of the only woman in his life, and that, with no need for words, she recognized the same thing. He was more certain of it than of anything in the world. He had been told by his parents and grandparents that he must fall in love and really know a person before becoming committed. But maybe people who felt that way had never learned the universal language. Because, when you know that language, it’s easy to understand that someone in the world awaits you, whether it’s in the middle of the desert or in some great city. And when two such people encounter each other, and their eyes meet, the past and the future become unimportant. There is only that moment, and the incredible certainty that everything under the sun has been written by one hand only. It is the hand that evokes love, and creates a twin soul for every person in the world. Without such love, one’s dreams would have no meaning.”

“If you start by promising what you don’t even have yet, you’ll lose your desire to work towards getting it.”

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

“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”

“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.”

 “One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.”

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

“So, I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you.”

 “The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.”

 “The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.”

“If you start by promising what you don’t even have yet, you’ll lose your desire to work towards getting it.”

“Intuition is really a sudden immersion of the soul into the universal current of life.”

Where to buy The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho online

You can buy this book titled The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho which has established itself as a modern classic, universally admired, continues to change the lives of its readers forever and has more than two million copies sold around the world from the following sites online:

amazon.com
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bookdepository.com
ebay.co.uk
goodreads.com
waterstones.com

Read reviews on The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Editorial reviews and praise for the book

“The story has the comic charm, dramatic tension, and psychological intensity of a fairy tale, but it’s full of specific wisdom as well. . . .A sweetly exotic tale for young and old alike.”—Publishers Weekly

“Beneath this novel’s compelling story and the shimmering elegance with which it’s told lies a bedrock of wisdom about following one’s heart.”—Booklist

“As memorable and meaningful as Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince.” —Austin American-Statesman

“A touching, inspiring fable.”—Indianapolis Star

“A little poke in the ribs from on high.” —Detroit Free Press

“The Alchemist is a fabulous success.” —Der Spiegel (Germany)

“A remarkable tale about the most magical of all journeys: the quest to fulfill one’s destiny. I recommend The Alchemist to anyone who is passionately committed to claiming the life of their dreams—today.”—Anthony Robbins, author of Awaken the Giant Within

“An entrepreneurial tale of universal wisdom we can apply to the business of our own lives.” —Spencer Johnson, M.D., author of Who Moved My Cheese

“An adventure story full of magic and wisdom.” —Rudolfo Anaya, author of Bless Me, Ultima

“The Alchemist is a beautiful book about magic, dreams, and the treasures we seek elsewhere and then find at our doorstep.” —Madonna in Sonntag Aktuell (Germany)

“The Alchemist is an unabashed delight and inspirational wonder. This fable is a roseate amalgam of spiritual quest, existential puzzle, lovely sensitivity, and deep strength.”—Malcolm Boyd, author of Are You Running with Me, Jesus?

“Paulo Coelho knows the secret of literary alchemy.”—Kenzaburo Oé, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature

“A most tender and gentle story. It is a rare gem of a book, and will most certainly touch the very core of every heart earnestly seeking its own destiny on the journey of life.” —Gerald G. Jampolsky, M.D., coauthor of Change Your Mind, Change Your Life and Love Is Letting Go of Fear

“Rarely do I come across a story with the directness and simplicity of Coelho’s The Alchemist. It lifts the reader out of time and focuses through a believably unlikely story on a young dreamer looking for himself. A beautiful story with a pointed message for every reader.” —Joseph Girzone, author of Joshua

“This is the type of book that makes you understand more about yourself and about life. It has philosophy and is spiced with colors, flavors, and subjects, like a fairy tale. A lovely book.”—Yedi’ot Aharonot (Israel)

“A boy named Santiago joins the ranks of Candide and Pinocchio by taking us on a very excellent adventure.” —Paul Zindel, author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning play The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds

“The mystic quality in the odd adventures of the boy, Santiago, may bring not only him but others who read this fine book closer to recognizing and reaching their own inner destinies.”—Charlotte Zolotow, author of  if  You  Listen

Customer reviews on waterstones for the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

By adam thompson
“The Alchemist”

I did like the message the book had to offer and i believe it is something you can only understand once you have read this book. the message was clear and really made me think, however the references to Gods and the way the book didn’t seem to regard science and technology as a great things of our world really did pull the book down just a little for me. However with out a dout well worth a read

By Meeshy B
“Beautiful, life improving book!”

I loved this!!. The analogical storyline is both profound and captivating. The beautiful story flows effortlessly and I could not put it down, reading it in one sitting. This will be a gift for friends and those I love who are searching for their destiny 🙂 Anyone looking for a thought-provoking and life-changing read should read this book

By Klanga
“Definitely worth a read!”

Brilliant and inspiring! Unlike any other book I’ve ever read. I am not a particularly religious person but it made think about spirituality in a whole new light. The story really pulls you in, and there are no superfluous descriptive passages or back-story fill-ins, so it is short enough to read in a weekend. Have not read any other Coelho previously but am looking forward to discovering more!

By Danny122
“Best Book I’ve Read!!!!!!!”

Buy it, this is an amazing book. So good i read it all within two days, just couldn’t put it down. 

By Ronak Ganatra
“The Alchemist”

Today, people hardly have any value for their dreams and choose to lead a monotonous life in which they do more of what they are told than what they wish for. The Alchemist is a book which serves as a beacon for everyone’s heart and urges them to do as their heart desires.Dreams are to be heeded to and we MUST follow our true calling and read the signs.This book changed me forever, and i hope that it changes every reader for the positive, too…

By cami
“the best book”

The Alchemist is the best book I’ve ever read! It is short and captivant… it has something that made me to think, to open my eyes about everything like an answer that I really need it. It is a book about following your dreams and how you can follow them and make them true.
This is a book for everyone’s soul…

By Hannah Mulligan Ward at Woking
“Worth reading”

A young shepherd finds himself embarking on an adventure to fulfil his dreams. A tale with deep meaning. Interesting and I can see why it is inspirational for many.

Customer reviews on Amazon for The Alchemist

Aziz Dryden
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect read
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2020
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The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho is an inspirational story of Santiago, a youthful Spanish shepherd in the rolling hills of Andalusia. The boy has deep attachment with his flock but realizing that they are devoid of aesthetic sense and appreciation for nature which he beholds, loves and admires, the course of his life changes. His parents’ life is associated with struggle in a country which people from far away fantasize and romanticize but for them it’s not a place of dream and charm.
Story starts with a dream followed by a series of adventures ultimately leads to resolution. His time is consumed in herding, reading and dreaming of travelling far-off places. He keeps getting same dream that there is treasure lying underneath the Egyptian pyramids. His encounter with a gypsy woman for consulting his dream gives story a new turn. He gets to know from her to follow omens. As the story moves the events get connected impeccably. Santiago’s quest for treasure, soon his lucky encounter with old King who strengthens his beliefs about living his destiny, coming across mishaps and encounter with Fatima, a desert girl; all this leads him to personal legend that converges the idea of ‘conspiring universe’. Personal legend is the key to living a successful and satisfying life as it is the destiny which one dreams of. He receives assistance from an alchemist who helps him understand his quest for accomplishing his dream. By time his belief grows and satisfaction nourishes as he is on right path. He comes to know “when you want something all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”.
Story deals with an internal conflict between his love and personal dreams but this novel ends up showing love as a supporting tool for achieving his dream. This is a beautiful idea that true love can prove to be a great stimulus when time comes. According to Coelho dreams have a price but not living your dreams has even a bigger price. The idea of seeking dreams is marvelous. Pursuing your dream and commiting to it makes the whole universe conspiring to give you what you want.
One of the dangerous hindrance described in the novel is fear. The fear of failure which stops us living our destiny. Overcoming this is a great victory as Coelho quoted “tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of dreams because every second of the search is a second encounter with God and with eternity”.
When Santiago is in desert he comes to know that he can turn base metals into gold. (Although the idea is not true in reality). It is also a bit overrated when alchemist turns lead into gold. It is not necessary that you agree each and every thing which Coelho has put into the novel. Instead your reason and rationale may oppose many things. But one has to have the ability to read between the lines. In spite of being very unreal it is a beautiful fable which has delighted millions around the world because of its thought provoking ideas of spirituality and destiny. Santiago while travelling understands the relation between man and nature. His quest and how he overcomes the obstacles of violence, confusion and despair is an encouraging pleasure for reader. The setting of novel is real but events are magical.
Some may find it a good piece to escape reality and some to understand reality. I highly recommend it to young readers as its conclusions directs it solves the purpose to make reader understand having faith in destiny which ultimately leads to achieving it.

K. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars It is written…
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2013
Verified Purchase

We are told how people perish for a lack of vision/ goal/ dream/Personal Legend, where the
magnitude of the dream is irrelevant. However, what’s imperative is that a person possesses one. Why do I say this? Because dreams are the language of God. We’re all placed here with a purpose and Personal Legend (what we’ve always wanted to accomplish), with our only real obligation being to realize our destiny. However, as with all things, to whom much is given, much is required. There is a process that one must endure before attaining their dream. The important thing to do is to start, which always entails choices. We must decide, whether we’re going to continue with what we’ve been accustomed to (stay in our comfort zone) or pursue what it is that we really want (expand our territory).  The way one thinks always plays an integral part in the process as well. We can either view ourselves as a poor victim or an adventurer on a quest. There are other contingencies involved as well. However, the thing I do know is that when a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person realize his/her dream. God has prepared a path for each to follow, and everyone on earth has a treasure that awaits them. In order to find the treasure we must realize that the only thing holding us back is ourselves , as wells as read and follow the signs/omens left for us.

If you’re reading this review, I’m sure that you have a dream that’s close to your heart or one that has been deferred, or buried. Well, now is the time to exhume that dream, dust it off, and remove it from the shelf. One of the signs that the Creator often gives us before embarking on a great task is a messenger. Well, in this case the messenger is Paulo Coehlo, with his book entitled, The Alchemist, being the Magnus Opus. The book is simple, yet brilliant as it tells the story of a young man in the quest of his dream. It explains the obstacles that inevitably obstruct one’s path, and the requisite qualities to face and pursue our dreams, as well as the qualities developed when following our dream to the end. From time immemorial some of the most sublime truths have been communicated to man via myth/ allegories, with The Alchemist being no different. It is chock full of spiritual and
practical gems that can be applied to our everyday life. The journey in the book is much like an initiation, where one is constantly subjected to tests of patience and courage. It will remind you that in pursuing one’s Personal Legend, it’s not about the destination, but lessons accumulated throughout the journey, that we don’t have yesterday or tomorrow, only today, how life is generous to those who pursue their Personal Legend, the importance of simplicity, listening to your heart because that’s where your treasure is, how the people who love you will never stand in the way of your dream, and that if the Creator brought you to it, He’ll bring through it because everything under the sun has been written by One hand. When one is traveling to the promised land, it’s inevitable to take a detour through the desert. However, on this particular trip we have Paulo Coehlo conducting us each step of the way. So if you’re ready to start on or resume the journey towards your dream/ Personal Legend, I highly recommend picking up a copy of The Alchemist. This book contains something for everyone from high school on up. The only
thing left is to observe the signs, rise, follow your conductor, and fear no danger!

Aly Jamal
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story, inspirational and easy to read.
Reviewed in Canada on March 30, 2017
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I bought this book after seeing an interview with Will Smith who highly recommended the book; it’s pretty funny because the host mentioned that sales on amazon would go up from his endorsement, just as I was about to make the purchase. I would highly recommend this book to everyone! It’s a wonderful story that will motivate you, inspire you and make you look at things in a different, more positive light in everyday life. It’s also a real easy read, I got through it in a day and I’m not a big reader.

Pat
5.0 out of 5 stars First from Paulo Coelho, not the last!
Reviewed in Canada on February 14, 2015
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I don’t read “story” books very often, but I enjoyed this one from Paulo. The book has a simple style, but you still need to put some thought on some of the idea’s evoked in it. I believe it to be a great book for teenagers. The alchemist also introduces any beginner to the world of spirituality. From an objective stand-point I would consider that the idea’s proposed to this book should be considered, but not consumed, take the bits you like and make your life better than it was. Don’t read it with expectations, I think that the flaw of this book is it’s status. The book is nicely printed and I enjoyed my experience.

mady
5.0 out of 5 stars A real jewel
Reviewed in Canada on May 24, 2013
Verified Purchase

This is a great, great book. It is filled with wisdom and life lessons and though the story is fictional, one can easily related with the main character’s desire to fulfill an almost “impossible” dream. The reviewer who said that this book is about chasing things and worldly possessions has completely missed the mark. I think a reader who views this story solely about a boy/shepherd chasing after material treasures has any depth, dimension or wisdom. There is a deeper message to this book and if one has an open heart and mind, one will be touched by it.

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