Summary

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a book review that describes the story as a Hero's Journey, with Santiago, the protagonist, on a quest to find a treasure and learn valuable life lessons.

Abstract

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a book review that describes the story as a Hero's Journey, with Santiago, the protagonist, on a quest to find a treasure. The review explains that the story can be enjoyed at the surface level or unpacked to reveal deeper meanings and symbolisms. The Hero's Journey is a writing tool that dates back to The Odyssey and has been used in many popular stories, including Star Wars, the Harry Potter collection, and Moana. The review describes Santiago's journey, including his refusal to go on an adventure, meeting mentors, allies, and enemies, overcoming trials and ordeals, and reflecting on how these experiences affect him and his life plan. The review also includes quotes from the book and the reviewer's favorite part of the story. The review recommends the book for readers of all ages and to revisit regularly, as different lessons will be meaningful at different life stages.

Opinions

The reviewer finds the Hero's Journey style of writing inspiring and sees parallels between Santiago's growth and their own.
The reviewer reflects on their own Hero's Journey and the fear of failure that can prevent one from answering the call to adventure.
The reviewer recommends the book for readers of all ages and to revisit regularly, as different lessons will be meaningful at different life stages.
The reviewer includes quotes from the book that they find particularly meaningful.

BOOK REVIEW

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

If you’re searching for Hero’s Journey story, then this is a good one.

Summary

The Alchemist is a lovely story, a fable, about a boy, Santiago, on a quest to find a treasure. It can be read and enjoyed at the surface level or unpacked to reveal all the lessons along the way. There are some life lessons to be gleaned from the deeper meanings and symbolisms used.

There are other stories written in this style, the Hero’s Journey that you may recognize: Star Wars, the Harry Potter collection, and Moana to name just a few.

The Hero’s Journey is a writing tool that dates back to The Odyssey but wasn’t given a name until Joseph Campbell defined it his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces in 1949.

In The Alchemist, Santiago is called to adventure and at first refuses. He has a plan for his life and it doesn’t involve going on an adventure. No.

He meets his first mentor shortly after who plants some ideas of growth and prosperity that will come after the adventure and without meaning to start, Santiago is well on his way.

Along the way to his destination, Santiago meets allies and enemies, overcomes trials and ordeals, and reflects on how these are all affecting him and his life plan.

He is transformed into a better, more mature version of himself, is grateful for all he has been through both his allies and enemies, and returns to home with insight and intent.

Feelings

Hero’s Journey stores are inspiring, as they are meant to be.

How many of our own Hero’s Journeys have we missed out on due to our own unwillingness to step out on faith and go on the adventure?

As I wrote that, it came to me that I’m facing one right now. Will I answer the call and venture forth or pull back and stay with what I know?

Venturing forth is scary. What will others think of me? What if I fail?

True, but what if I SUCCEED? How amazing will that be?

And even if I fail at least I tried. What I learn along the way will make me stronger and better next time.

Quotes

“Remember that wherever your heart is there you will find your treasure.”

and

“Everyone when they are young knows what their Personal Legend is. At that point, in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to year for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives.”

and

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”

Favourite Part

The Hero’s Journey is my favourite style of writing, but I’ve only come to know this recently. As I am learning about this style, I see I’ve read many stories that are Hero’s Journeys.

Seeing Santiago face his challenges and usually overcoming them, but sometimes failing while all the time learning and growing reminds me of my own growth.

Recommendation

The Alchemist is a story for readers of all ages and to revisit regularly. Different lessons will be meaningful at different life stages.

Have you read The Alchemist? What did you like or not like about it?

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