One of the most recommended books to read is the fable about following your dream, The Alchemist — Brazilian author Paulo Coelho’s masterpiece. As a whole, to categorise, it is to be counted in fictional philosophy, spirituality, myth, history, magic, power, persistence and dream.
It’s sticking as well a first-read book to be completed in one sitting. The book instils a persistence to stand and never sit then in the journey of dream and destiny.
It was first published in 1988 by Editor Loco Ltd and since then, the book has been translated into different languages, transforming millions of lives. As an alchemist does, The Alchemist has motives to turn lives of earth into gold — failure into success and unbearable complexities into “The Universal Language” or “Soul of the World”. That’s “Maktoob” when the heart lively speaks with dreams.
The story goes on the dream-following journey of an Andalusia boy searching for a treasure hidden under the Pyramids of Egypt, listening to the route of hearts through the searing sands of African deserts and roaring conflicts of tribespeople. Then with a destiny counter, the boy discovers that the dream treasure was in his own “fields of Spain”.
Throughout the story, the author picks up some spiritual and philosophical thoughts which take a reader for its fact check contemplation. He would try to listen to the “Universal Language” and become a part of the “Soul of the Earth” with a possible criticism of mythical lines as though it’s philosophical, not logical.
The reader would voluntarily think of the “Master Work” having sceptical speculation about the “Philosopher’s Stone” and “Elixir of Life”.
Coelho’s piece connects each event to the main theme of a life dream. Even the boy’s love for Arab girl Fatima entrenches his mission to the treasure discovery. Inwardly, the book opens before its audiences a vast land of Arab culture in deserts. As the boy learns everything about success, he teaches readers its senses.
The book has life-changing effects on every reader, even though till the time of reading.