Recommended Reads – The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is an excellent book that I can’t say enough about. I first discovered it as an audio book when I used to have a long commute to work. There were some amazing passages in it that made me want to pull the car over and jot them down but I didn’t want to interrupt the excellent story. 

After I had listened to it, I went to the bookstore and found a special 10th anniversary edition of the novel. I quickly bought it and reread the entire thing with a pencil by my side. I underlined the passages that spoke to me and wrote notes in the margins. I wanted to interact with the thoughts put forth by the main character and the author.

The novel deals with finding your place in the world and realizing the connections we have with the world itself. This story is very touching and it tells us to follow our hearts. It is almost like having a debate on philosophy and the meaning of life. It’s a powerful tale that has stuck with me all these many years later.

Here are some great passages that I highlighted.

“Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is. At one point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives. But, as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their Personal Legend.”

“To realize one’s Personal Legend is a person’s only real obligation. All things are one. And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

What a great message. It deals with the purpose we all have in life. It tells a great story and teaches us important rules about how life actually works in the real world.

That is why I needed to add this book to my Recommended Reads. I have given it as a gift several times just because I believe it is such an amazing story and so beautifully written that anyone can appreciate it.


2 responses to “Recommended Reads – The Alchemist”

  1. Hi Chase! I am so glad you wrote about this! I only recently discovered Paulo Coelho. I just picked up The Alchemist from the library yesterday. Your article makes me even more excited to get started on it! Thanks!