Book Review: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

I’ve read an amazing book last weekend – The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

It’s hard to imagine someone not having heard about it – it’s been out for quite some time, and seems to be quite a publishing phenomenon, but just like everyone else who was really impressed, I feel compelled now to share my own thoughts and recommendations.

The Alchemist is a story of a shepherd boy following his dream. It’s a tale of faith, hope, power, courage, and, above all, wisdom one needs to fulfill his own dreams.

To realize one’s destiny is a person’s only obligation – this was said a few times in this book, and Paulo masterfully shows why and how this is true.

Reaching your Personal Legend is never easy. Life has its challenges for every one of us, and its most difficult tests are saved for the last moments before we truly succeed.

Many people put all their efforts towards reaching a dream and spend years in hard work, only to face a desperation and give up one day. Give up just a few inches from the breakthrough, just a few moments from seeing the light of their personal victory. I think most of us can relate to such experience – we all have had a few points in our lives when we were ready to give it all up because all efforts seemed to be futile. Yet, some of us persistent and became successful. Others regret having failed to achieve their original goal and continue their search for another one.

I found The Alchemist to be most motivating. I believe it to be a classic tale of personal growth and pursuit of your dreams. It teaches you to be honest with yourself, kind with others, wise with your own decisions. It serves as a guiding star to your dream – showing that you’re not the only one who feels lost at times and who thinks about giving up. The book promises that it will be totally worth it when you overcome fears and obstacles and eventually make your dream come true.

The storytelling is very simple and easy to read. In fact, most sentences are so simple and open that it amazes you how thought-provoking they are. I’ve greatly enjoyed reading this book, and think that everyone should read this book at least once.

It takes courage to fulfill your Personal Legend, and when you’re young it’s easier to see it. You’re powerful and naive, abmitions and self-sure, and it’s very importat to use such years to achieve something in your life. As you grow older, various complications show up and make your Personal Legend seem less and less possible, until one day you realize that you can’t do anything about it because it’s just too late.

Go get the book, read it in just a few hours and give your very best to achieving the dreams of your life! Try really hard, believe in yourself, and you will most certainly succeed.