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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 869.342
EAN num: 9780061122415
ISBN number: 0061122416
Label: HarperCollins
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 208
Printing Date: May 01, 2006
Publishing house: HarperCollins
Release Date: April 25, 2006
Sale Popularity Level: 104
Studio: HarperCollins
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Product Description:
My Heart Is Afraid that it will have to suffer,' the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up at the moonless sky.'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.'Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. The Alchemist is such a book. With over a million and a half copies sold around the world, The Alchemist has already established itself as a modern classic, universally admired. Paulo Coelho's charming fable, now available in English for the very first time, will enchant and inspire an even wider audience of readers for generations to come.
The Alchemist is the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found. From his home in Spain he journeys to the markets of Tangiers and across the Egyptian desert to a fateful encounter with the alchemist.
The story of the treasures Santiago finds along the way teaches us, as only a few stories have done, about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, above all, following our dreams.
Amazon.com:
Like the one-time bestseller Jonathan Livingston Seagull, The Alchemist presents a simple fable, based on simple truths and places it in a highly unique situation. And though we may sniff a bestselling formula, it is certainly not a new one: even the ancient tribal storytellers knew that this is the most successful method of entertaining an audience while slipping in a lesson or two. Brazilian storyteller Paulo Coehlo introduces Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who one night dreams of a distant treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. And so he's off: leaving Spain to literally follow his dream.
Along the way he meets many spiritual messengers, who come in unassuming forms such as a camel driver and a well-read Englishman. In one of the Englishman's books, Santiago very first learns about the alchemists--men who believed that if a metal were heated for many years, it would free itself of all its individual properties, and what was left would be the 'Soul of the World.' Of course he does eventually meet an alchemist, and the ensuing student-teacher relationship clarifies much of the boy's misguided agenda, while also emboldening him to stay true to his dreams. 'My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer,' the boy confides to the alchemist one night as they look up at a moonless night.
'Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself,' the alchemist replies. 'And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity.' --Gail Hudson
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Rated by buyers 
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There are some simple and nice ideas in the book which perhaps would work for kids under 10. For adults the concepts discussed are naive and the storyline is simplistic and character development is thin. I was very disappointed.
Rated by buyers -
I do agree that the author can be quite redundant. This could be due to the fact that it has been translated. Had the original been written in English, I am sure the author would be able to spice up the diction a bit.
Even though it was simply written, it evoked such imagery; I found that I could not put the book down. It was quite entertaining, and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. I have a feeling that I will read it again in a few years, and have an even better understanding of its meaning, and its reflection on my life as well.
Rated by buyers 
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After reading "The Alchemist", I gave the book to both my children. My son has just graduated from college, and my daughter is a sophomore, and in many ways this book distilled a message I have been trying to teach them in one way or another since they were very young. Although the setting and the story is exotic for many of us (the story is about a young Andalusian shepherd boy who leaves everything familiar to go in search of a "treasure" in Egypt) the message is universal, eternal and very simple. That message is to live your Life consciously and thoughtfully in order to determine the path your Life should take.
My own life has been amazing. Like the young shepherd, I left everything that was familiar to me and I allowed myself to be guided by my own strong yet inexplicable feelings, signs and omens, doors that opened unexpectedly, and people I met along my path. As a result, I met and married my Soul Mate in a country not my own, and have two children who have brought immeasurable and unspeakable joy to me.
But you have to be willing to have faith, to believe in yourself and the voice of your heart. You even need to occasionally disregard the so-called good advice of people close to you in order to do something which at very first makes no sense, something not entirely easy to do, and that is discussed in "The Alchemist" as well. For me, this book was astonishing and affirming because I immediately appreciated the Truth of it. I felt compelled to pass it on, hoping that all my "teaching moments" could take the form of a simple parable, to be remembered and renewed, for years to come.
As others have demonstrated, this is not the book for everyone, just as there is no universal religion or view of the world. Because it was written by a Brazilian, there are language traits, cultural perceptions and beliefs which are alien and might bring discomfort to many people who live in the United States. But for others who really believe they are here for a purpose, this little book is nothing but encouraging.
Rated by buyers -
..that is, if you have one (I'm surprised by some of the reviews on here). If you have a soul, imagination plus depth and life experience, you will find this book delightful. If you don't not possess these qualities you will be lost. You definitely have to had your share of dark moments in your life to understanding the message that the book portrays: one of hope,struggle,patience and faith. Overall, very easy read and well worth your time. Your soul will thank you.
Rated by buyers -
Maybe this book is somehow better read quietly on your own. We heard so many good things about it that we read it as a family. We were rolling on the ground laughing at the lame conversations with the boy, his heart, the wind, etc. If you are seeking good life advice, read Ben Franklin's autobiography and his selected writings. But life is far too short to waste any of it on this silly tale.
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