First published in 1988, “The Alchemist,” by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, still tops countless bestseller lists. It has sold more than 65 million copies globally, with editions in 67 languages. In 2009, it landed Coehlo a spot in the 2009 Guinness Book, as the world’s most translated living author.
Why all the hype? Timeless simplicity. It speaks to the kid in each of us who still longs to hear that we can be anything we want to be in this crazy world. It blurs the lines between self-help and literature, love story and fairy tale. It’s one of those rare novels that just strikes a chord with humanity.
Santiago, a shepherd boy, repeatedly dreams of a distant treasure. He sets out from his homeland in Spain and encounters a series of messengers along the way who guide him on his journey. The most influential is an alchemist who takes Santiago under his wing and ultimately teaches him that turning his daily life into a crowning achievement is alchemy in its truest form.
If you are a seeker of any age, read “The Alchemist,” then pass it along to a friend.
Keena KimmelOwner of White Rabbit Books and Curiosities
