The Alchemist

The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho, just finished, here is a summary.

Dreams, symbols, signs, and adventure and ancient wise voices, Medieval mysticism with the song of the desert. Follow our dreams, to find our "Personal Myth" meaning happiness, fulfillment, and the ultimate purpose of creation.

By the end of the novel, he discovers that "treasure lies where your heart belongs", and that the treasure was the journey itself, the discoveries he made, and the wisdom he acquired.

"simple things are the most valuable and only wise people appreciate them".

"when you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true".

Those who do not have the courage to follow their " Personal Myth", are doomed to a life of emptiness, misery, and unfulfillment. Fear of failure is the greatest obstacle to happiness.
Santiago finds his soul-mate, and the secrets of wisdom in the wilderness of the desert. The "wilderness" is a symbol. In the desert, Santiago meets his "twin-soul" and discovers that love is the core of existence and creation.

When we love, we always try to improve ourselves, and that's when everything is possible. "I love you because the whole universe conspired for me to come close to you."We can all identify with Santiago: all of us have dreams, and are dying for somebody to tell us that they may come true. words of wisdom, philosophy, and simplicity of meaning and language, which makes it particularly readable and accounts for its bestselling status.

“Every search begins with beginners luck. And every search ends with the victor’s being severely tested”

“I am learning the Language of the World and everything in the world is beginning to make sense to me…”