The Alchemist

Title : The Alchemist
Writer : Paulo Coelho
Year : 1988
Language : translated into Indonesian

This is the first time I read Paulo Coelho’s work after being curious about him for almost this year. I wasn’t so sure to read this book, anyway. But then I decided to be brave to read it, and I got the point.

It’s about a shepherd named Santiago wandering around Andalusia to take care of his sheep. He knows that what he wants is only being a wanderer, and this is the best job to be so. He suddenly gets a dream at night, the same dream in a row. After talking to a forecaster and a mysterious king, he eventually follows his dream to Egypt, trying to find a treasure near the Pyramids, just like in his dreams. He undergoes his journey not without any obstacles, he indeed meets some mysterious happenings and signs…which bring him to the actual path of getting his dream.

Sometimes, Santiago feels hesitated to reach his dreams because he thinks that what he has so far has been enough for him, for his life. He almost surrenders in many ways. But there are always voices in his heart forcing him to keep struggling and stepping forwards to get his dream. He decides to listen to his heart, whatever it takes, to keep reaching his dream even he often believes that his dream is not real.

The way Coelho writes the story is like a fairy tale, sometimes it’s real…sometimes it’s not. However, it’s still an interesting novel. It’s inspiring and implying such a great philosophy. Whatever you want and dream in this life…will certainly drive you to the real destiny, and God will help you in any ways. One thing for sure, I’m amazed by the way Coelho describes Islam religion here and the Muslims there. I can say…he’s right in the surface. At least, he doesn’t put any false stereotypes.

Rating: 3.5