inspiredbyactualevents.com

I may be the last person on the planet to have read Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. It’s sold a gazillion copies, I understand, in its 20 year run. I’m trying very hard to like it. The Alchemist is just not my kind of book.

It’s a fable, full of inspirational, follow-your-dream, pursue-your-Personal-Legend storytelling. It tells the pleasant story of Santiago, a poor Andalusian shepherd boy, who is told by an old man (Melchizedek, the King of Salem, believe it or not) to go to the pyramids to find his treasure. Santiago is perfectly happy being a poor Andalusian shepherd, but after several odd messengers encourage his quest, embarks to Egypt to find his treasure. He travels across north Africa, stopping in Tangiers, where he makes a bundle for himself and his employer selling crystal and turning the crystal shop into a smash success. He amasses enough gold to return to Spain a rich man, but is once again compelled to chase his Personal Legend.

Santiago and his caravan reach a popular oasis boasting “three hundred wells, fifty thousand date trees, and innumerable colored tents spread among them,” a welcome sight after long, dry weeks in the desert.
This oasis is also a safe haven for the many tribes warring in its environs. Santiago, since he is committed to his dream (still faithful, of course, to chasing his Personal Legend) becomes the oasis’ much needed spiritual guide and finally learns the secrets of the alchemist which I will not reveal here because I didn’t exactly understand them. In short, on his quest, Santiago finds material and spiritual wealth, overcomes daunting obstacles and impresses the hell out of everyone he meets. But...he must travel on, to the pyramids, to his treasure, to his Personal Legend.

Along the way, wise voices speak to Santiago, sharing truths, which he gradually understands, after considerable repetition. “No matter what one does, every person on earth places a central role in the history of the world.” “No heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dream.” “When you are loved you can do anything in creation.” And my favorite, “When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person realize his dream.” Cue Oprah.

Doubtless, you can hear my enthusiasm for paper-thin sentiments like these. Eventually Santiago finds his treasure, and I won’t spoil the end for you. You already know it. Really.

I liked The Alchemist. The characters are flat, the dialogue is biblical, and the themes are hardly challenging, but it’s well written, unpretentious (a rarity in profound-spiritual-truth books), and the story is engaging. The book’s Hallmark moments take on welcome weight with the unfolding of its simple and seductive narrative. It also has a quality often lacking in thematically-challenged books - it’s short. Take a few hours and read it. It’s better than a sharp stick in the eye.