The Alchemist

A book critique about the novel “The Alchemist”, a book that was first published in the
language of Portuguese in 1988 and later published in English in 1993. It sold well over 32
million copies internationally receiving great praise from its readers. It was authored by Paulo
Coelho a Brazillian lyricist and novelist, he wrote his hit book “The Alchemist” conspiring ideas
in only a span of two weeks in 1987.

The book is certainly likable to read because it conveys true to life lessons that can be impactful
to readers that are lost in life. It focuses on the subject of “Personal Goals” ambitions that every
person and every organism in the world tries to achieve. Exploring the nature of human behavior
with their notion of personal goals. But for me, the most beautiful lesson that I have acquired
while reading this book is about love. Love is mentioned tirelessly throughout the book. But the
love that I would like to focus on is the love that Santiago our main character shared with
Fatima. Their love is something extraordinary and must be critiqued and exercised by people that
are in love, out of love, and looking for love. The love between them exhibits love with no
ownership and love that needs no explanation. Fatima showed unwavering love for Santiago
although she knows that she is a woman of the desert signifying that men around her have to
leave in pursuit of their personal legends. She gave Santiago freedom to pursue his personal
legend, she did not once manipulate Santiago into living with her in the oasis for the rest of their
lives, even though she knew that he already considered it. Instead, she reassured him that she
will forever be waiting for his return. And even when Santiago tried to explain to her in the night
that he will be leaving to pursue his personal legend, she did not request him to further justify his
decision. She stated that love connived by the universe needs no explanation. Pertaining to what
the alchemist said to him about love not hindering a man’s pursuit of achieving his personal goal
in the past pages. In return, Santiago swore to her that he will return just like her father did to her
mother.

Their love has thought us that love must not be suffocating and love is the best concerning each
others’ views and ambition. It was for me the most impactful because I am a fanatic of love
stories and I was delighted that love and relationships were involved in the hook with meaningful
lessons that can be applied to my experience with relationships with other people. Overall, I
enjoyed reading the book and I have never felt disinterested whilst reading the book. Each page
is interactive with its reader because of the multiple lessons that it conveys. I would give the
book a rating of 3.5 out of 5 seeing that it exceeded my expectations despite that it isn’t my
personal preference in books that I usually read in my spare time.