book review : THE ALCHEMIST

Santiago is a shepherd in the rolling hills of Andalucia. He loves his flock, but can't help but notice the limited nature of their existence. They live in beautiful Andalucia, which attracts tourists to its quaint villages and rolling hills, but for them, it is no place of dreams.Santiago, on the other hand, can read and wants to travel. He goes into town one day to sell some of his flock and encounters a tramp-king and a Gypsy woman.The Gypsy points him towards the Pyramids of Egypt, where she says he will find treasure. Crazily, he believes her. He sells his flock and sets sail. Sure enough, disaster is met early on when a thief in Tangier robs him of his savings. He is now living a different life, in which every day is new and satisfying. He keeps reminding himself of what he was told in the market before he left: 'When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.'

Following the dream
The idea of following your dream is a marvelous one, a support for anyone embarking on a major project. But is it a hope based on nothing? If you think about the energy you put into something once you are committed to it, probably not. The 'universe conspiring' to give you what you want is, more precisely, a reflection of your determination to make something happen. In reading The Alchemist, we are reminded of Goethe's demand: 'Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it - boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.'

Love
The Alchemist is remarkable for being a love story that renounces the idea that romantic love must be the central thing in your life. Each person has the destiny to pursue that exists independently of other people. It is the thing you would do, or be, even if you have all the love and money you want. The treasure Santiago seeks is, of course, the symbol of the personal dream or destiny, but he is happy to give up on it when he finds the woman of his dreams in a desert oasis. Yet the alchemist tells him that the love of his oasis girlfriend will only be proved real if she is willing to support his treasure search.

conclusion
The Alchemist weaves self-empowering and spiritual truths into an irresistible story, complete with an enchanting ending.

rating 4/5

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