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Interesting book, read it many years ago. Very inspiring, particularly its advice to never give up. “The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.”

r_parker wrote: ↑05 Sep 2014, 12:18 I always felt strange when I head that classic quote, "when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it." I felt angry that this supposed source of wisdom was offering false hope, knowing that it would be accepted as wisdom because it is what people want to hear.

After reading the book, I still feel conflicted about this central idea. It's a book that teaches trying, trying, trying when sometimes we need peace and acceptance. We have to know when to move on, and go in another direction. But at the same time, it's a beautiful book, and the power of trying and intuition is undeniable. The trail of meetings that Santiago has with people he learns so much from is also beautiful, and something I would like to emulate... we can learn so much from the people we meet along the way to our supposed destinations.

Interesting take. I guess it depends on your perspective. Peace and acceptance are often transitory things. Effort is often what is needed to get results. But I agree with you that the quote you cite can be misleading to those who would take it too literally.

Surely it s a great book. Alchemist and eleven minutes are my favorite from this author. Alchemist is a great boost for the reader to take chances in life. Also a book to reread from time to time.

The alchemist is a master piece!
The novel encourages the reader to have faith in their beliefs and only then can they truly succeed.
The author uses the main character who is shepherd setting out from home into the world to show how much the power of faith can get you riches and how you shouldn't give up when life challenges you because of that faith.
"I am coming fatima" (from the novel)

I read this book a few years ago and am encouraged to read it again after reading this thread. In the spirit of Haroun and the Sea of Stories (Rushdie), The Alchemist succeeds beautifully as a fictional spiritual primer: a lovable protagonist learning about life's obstacles and plenty of teachers to model the faith and perseverance needed to overcome them. I can't wait to read it again.

I think that this book would have had a profound influence on me no matter what state (good or bad) my life was in when I read it, and I would recommend it to anyone.

" The Alchemist " is one of my favourite books i have ever read reason being this book makes you jump out of your comfort zone and fills your heart with high spirit. Speciality of this book is that it is written in simple words and quite easy to understand.

The Story of this book revolves around a young shepherd who had to went through a tumultuous journey in order to find a treasure hidden thousand miles away at the base of pyramid in Egypt.

So the theme of the Alchemist is to pursue your dreams by following what your heart desires. During his nascent stage, a young boy learns to listen to the heart. With each obstacle a boy encounters, there is a lesson to learn. each lesson teaches him that he should always go by his heart.
i express humble gratitude to the author. I recommend readers to read this book as this is definitely going to influence your opinion about life long journey.

Really enjoyed this book! Unfortunately didn't like the author's other books, but reading the Alchemist was certainly an experience I'll never forget.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I think this book is a book that everyone should read and re-read at least once (or twice). This book can teach someone a lot of lessons about the value of life and how to appreciate life and what comes our way, both positive and negative. I really loved how the 'unspoken language' part; I feel like that spoke to me the most. I do believe that everyone needs to at least have a spiritual understanding of the unspoken language and how to use it. This book speaks volume and its one of my favorites.

My friend recommended me this book. And when i start reading it i couldn't stop its a spectacular work by Paulo . I loved it and would recommend you all to give it a try .thank you.

Truly transformational. The story itself is so minimalistic that we don't even learn the name of our protagonist. He is just called 'the boy' and it is sufficient to deliver the message that Paulo does so incredibly in less than 250 pages. It is one of my all-time favorites.

The Alchemist whas a pretty good book for beginer readers and also a prety good one for the seasoned ones.

When I first pick the book I had 13 years. It was homework from te higschool. I tougth that it will be a easy read like a long story. But wen i took the book and read it I devoured this masterpiece in an hour. I readeded the spanish version and the english one and compared them.

There is a lot in this book that it is lost beacuse the translation. Like the name of the protagonist:"Santiago". But the essence it is there. The plot goes easy and was not very forced the development. The grow of the character it is steady. The sidecharacters comes and go in the main story whit out a forced or abrupt transition. Easy reading you will finish it and not notice it.

Years lather I pick this book again and read it. The familiar main story was there but the mensaje changed it let me ponder of the life and my focus of it. A book that get you a message that changes wen you grow and let you grow with you.

A true Masterpiece of "Pablo Coello"

I think it's one of the books that are worth rereading a few times, because each time, a new thing of magnificent importance will unfold.

There was so much of a hype around the book that I HAD to read it. But I was seriously disappointed. I did not find the book all that great. It is a light read and short, so I was just glad I did not spend too much time on it. I think it is one of the most over-rated books, so I would not recommend it.

I read this book atleast once a year or two since 2009. There is something unusual about the whole story that I enjoy and feel connected to.