Paulo Coelho’s masterpiece has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and soul-stirring wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago, who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a 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 as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.
YEAR OF PUBLICATION:
1988
PAGES:
206
RIGHTS SOLD:
89 languages
“Reading The Alchemist was like getting up at dawn and seeing
the sun rise while the rest of the world still slept.”
- HarperCollins, 1993
“What’s the secret behind such a huge success? The only honest response is: I don’t know. All I know is that, like Santiago the shepherd, everyone needs to be aware of their Personal Legend.”
- Paulo Coelho
When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.
To realize one’s destiny is a person’s only obligation.
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 its dreams.
“From Kobe to Kyrie, how The Alchemist became the book to live by in the NBA.” “Last year Kobe Bryant suggested a book for Kyrie Irving to read: “The Alchemist.” When he finished, he felt tethered to others who also connected with the book on a deeper level.”
- The Athletic
An all-time favourite amount sports champions
- Kobe Bryant
[In response to “Which book has had the biggest impact on you?”]:
The Alchemist.
- Lebron James
“As complex as it is and as deep as that book is – it is so, so deep – I was able to figure out a way to translate it to my life.”
- Aaron Rodgers
“One of my favourite books and the first one I will recommend is The Alchemist, and it has been around for some time.”
- Koki Machida
“The Alchemist gives me a hint on how to live my life.”
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic
[In response to “Which is your favourite book?”]: The Alchemist.
- Manuel Pellegrini
“From that book I learned to always follow my own path through life. I try to make my own story as complete as possible, to meet the challenges that lie ahead of me. And my firm belief is that I do a better job as a football coach if I dedicate myself completely to it.”
- Lewis Hamilton
[In response to “If you could pick just one book to read?”]: The Alchemist.
I can read that quite often.
- Karolina Pliskova
“The Alchemist is the best book I read and I have re-read it several times.”
In a documentary about Kenya‘s marathon legend, Eliud Kipchoge, he showed Paulo’s photo hanging on the wall of his room at the training camp in Kaptagat saying:
“If you want to be successful, respect one rule:
Never lie to yourself.”
Russian edition illustrated by Eva Eller
“I am Santiago the shepherd boy in search of my treasure, just as you are Santiago the shepherd boy in search of your own. The story of one person is the story of everyone, and one man’s quest is the quest of all of humanity, which is why I believe The Alchemist continues all these years later to resonate with people from different cultures all around the world, touching them emotionally and spiritually, equally, without prejudice.”
- Paulo Coelho
A favourite of culture icons
- Chris Martin – ColdPlay
“[The Alchemist gives me] reassurance, restoring of a certain faith, or a certain optimism, or a certain keep goingness. […] It helps me get back on my feet.”
- Oprah Winfrey
“Paulo Coelho has been one of my great teachers. I still keep The Alchemist beside my bed and am always meeting others who do the same.”
- Malala Yousafzai
[In response to “What’s the last truly great book you read?”] “The Alchemist. I like it because it is hopeful and inspiring. […] His story tells you that you should believe in yourself and continue your journey.”
- Will Smith
“The Alchemist was my first literary love affair. The book spoke to my soul, and I just
couldn’t put it down. It penetrated me and transformed my way of seeing and being. […]
I felt like I was Santiago, … The Alchemist is probably the most influential book I’ve ever
read.” – Will
- Pharrell Williams
“The Alchemist changed my whole life. I realized of all of the people who had conspired to get me to this place.”
- Shawn Mendes
[In response to “What is a quote you live by?”]: “I really think you guys should read The
Alchemist. I just read it and it changed my life!”
- Uzo Aduba
“The Alchemist is a book that found me. I read it the summer after college, right before moving to NYC and starting out on my own personal legend. The Alchemist has found me every time I’m about to embark on a new path, or during a major transition. I’ve read it each time, and every time there are even more treasures to discover.”
- Russell Crowe
“There are two books that I always recommend. One of them is Siddhartha … and the other is The Alchemist. I’ve used them in other situations as well when teenage sons or daughters of friends of mine have a question or two. They are very basic, rich, philosophical allegories. I
always recommend they take the afternoon off and just read it in one hit.”
- Neil Patrick Harris
“The Alchemist is a brilliant, magical, life-changing book that continues to blow my mind with its lessons. I’ve never ever encountered a book that would so consistently have me read a passage and be so moved and changed that I would just set the book down and think about what I just learned. It’s a remarkable tome.”
- Tiziano Ferro
“I am not a strong reader, but there are a few books I do care a lot about, such as those by
Coelho, The Alchemist, which I have read and reread, and The Manual of the Warrior of Light.”
- Madonna
“The Alchemist is a beautiful book about magic, dreams, and the treasures we seek elsewhere and then find at our doorstep.”
- Julia Roberts
“The Alchemist is like music, really, the way he writes, it’s so beautiful. It’s a gift that I envy
above all others.’
- Gisele Bündchen
[Recommending The Alchemist]: “I love this book because it is a story that is filled with lessons. It is a book that is a perfect gift because you will hold on to it for life to reread and share with others. The story builds faith and encourages the reader to follow their dreams like the young shepherd who discovers his true destiny. We all can relate to searching for
our true purpose and then reflecting on that journey.”
- Tom Fletcher – McFly
“The Alchemist is amazing.”
- Russ
“The Alchemist changed my life. It made me realize that the journey itself is where the real
value lies. It taught me that trusting the process and believing in my own path are the keys
to manifesting my dreams.”
Russian edition illustrated by Eva Eller
