Review on the Alchemist

Dream.Believe.Survive.

(A reaction paper on The Alchemist)

The Alchemist is a thrilling novel that spurts with sanguinity; the story tells you that everything is possible as long as you really want it to happen. It’s like spiritual truth or ultimate reality can be attained through experience but as Coelho states "simple things are the most valuable and only wise people appreciate them".

The story of the treasures of 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 disseminated along the roads of life and, of course, realizing and following our dreams. This emblematic masterpiece clearly encourages people that we should not avoid our destinies, do not let trials and hindrances stop you in pursuing what you want to do because our mission on Earth is to find our Personal Legend and the first way to find it, is to search for God who gives happiness, fulfillment, and strength.

Coelho also suggests that those who do not have the courage to follow their Personal Legend are sentenced to a life of emptiness, misery, and discontentment. As the crystal-merchant regrettably confesses: "I am afraid that great disappointment awaits me, and so I prefer to dream". Fear of failure seems to be the greatest obstacle to happiness. This is where Coelho really conquered the spotlight as he let the readers realize that a man, who knows he can achieve greatness but denies doing so, ends up struggling and living an empty life.

It is quite trivial but fascinating to see that the author depict the person who denies following his dream as the