Motivational Book Introduction -1

A Travel In Chase of Dreams -The Alchemist By Paulo Coelho

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”

Often the name Magic Realism is associated with the Latin American writers for incorporating magical elements in the realistic platform though the genre is broadly on any art form which portrays fantastical events in a realistic settings. Even though The Alchemist by the Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho is considered as the classical example of the genre, I would like to consider those elements are of pantheism throughout as magic elements in this story symbolizes good fortunes that occur through luck during the chase of dreams. The reader cannot be convinced the presence of fantasy till the desert episode of Wind and Sun at the climax.

It’s a travel of an young intrepid Andalusian shepherd who travels all the way from South Spain to Egypt following his personal legend risking everything he has. On the journey he finds the way to communicate with the nature and its omens. It is a spiritual journey for Santiago in quest of life. Once he decides to go along with his personal legend, all the universal forces come to make him find the treasure for him and teaches him all the skills and techniques required as personal power for this particular mission.

On a broader perspective, it is travelogue of the journey to destiny. All the more, it is highly noticeable that author’s own biographical elements are the thread to story and it became the best selling Brazilian book ever and then an international best seller since it’s first publish in 1988.

As a matter of fact, the story is a motivational one meant for everybody and I would recommend this mainly for teenagers and the people who are suffering from mild depression during their 30’s to 40’s. You may keep this book in your library as it’s a worth companion whenever you feel demotivated.