The Alchemist
Author: Paulo Coelho
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 1993
ISBN: 9780061122415
Have you ever thought about what your destiny is? We often spend so much time thinking about our future, and about our roles in life. We also live in fear of our future. What if it doesn’t turn out the way we expected? We also fail to take risks. So we live ordinary, somewhat satisfactory lives.
In ‘The Alchemist’ Santiago is an ordinary shepherd, with an ordinary life. But he’s content with his life, he likes being with his sheep. That is until he has a dream. He pays attention to it when it recurs to him again. He meets a disguised king, who tells him about achieving one’s Personal Legend, and about the Soul of the World. He tells him that few actually achieve it. Santiago’s Personal Legend is going to the pyramids from his dreams and finding his treasure. Santiago decides to give up his current life, and embark on his journey to fulfill his Personal Legend.
He’s taught valuable lessons along the way by people he meets. He’s taught to live out his Personal Legend, because if he doesn’t he’ll live in the past, he will keep thinking about what could have been. He’s taught to be fearless, because giving up over fear will make him unhappy in the end. He’s taught to at least try.
His knowledge expands, he develops a deeper understanding for things around him, and he encounters so much more. But will he find his treasure? Was it worth giving up everything?
This book will encourage you to live your dreams. Also take risks because those who take risks are the ones that turn out to be the happiest, because they know that even if they failed, they tried, which few can say. Don’t settle for less, live out your dreams!
Find this book in the GW library! FIC COE