May 26, 2003 02:32 PM
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(Updated May 26, 2003 02:36 PM)
Some books leave their marks so, that they are unforgettable. Symbols, Dreams, signs, and adventure encapsulates the reader in ''The Alchemist'', a masterpiece which is a mixed melody of mediveal mystic atmosphere and the unsung tail of deserts. Coelho through his work says that one should never avoid his destinies and inspires people to follow their dreams.
Welcome to the world of santiago, a boy who has a dream and an exceptional courage to follow it. After listening to ''the signs'' the boy starts his journey of exploration and self-discovery and a search for a hidden treasure in egypt. Starting with the journey , the boy's father has only one advice for his only son- ''Travel the world until you see that our castle is the greatest, and our women the most beautiful''. During his dramatic eventful journey, Santiago sees the real greatness of the world, and meets variety of colourful people like kings and alchemists. However, by the end of the novel, he discovers the true treasure which is- ''treasure lies where your heart belongs'', and he learns that the whole journey was a treasure in itself with the wisdom and knowledge he acquired .
Bursting with inspiration and optimism ''the alchemist'' is an exciting novel overall.Coelho rightly says- ''simple things are the most valuable and only wise people appreciate them''.it is the kind of novel that tells you that everything is possible as long as you really want it to happen ,an oversimplified version of new-age mysticism and philosophy.
some of the quotes are so beautiful in their fullness that you will remember them forever , such as when Alchemist meets santiago in the form if an old king, he says- ''when you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true''. This is the secret of Coelho's success: coelho tells people what they want to hear.The real motive behind this novel lies in a rock solid principle that coelho wants to convey to its readers.
Coelho clearly marks that 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 seems to be the greatest obstacle to happiness. As the old crystal-seller confesses: '' I am afraid that great disappointment awaits me, and so I prefer to dream''. Now here coelho captures the real drama of life of a man, who sacrifices fulfillment to conformity, who knows he can attain greatness and be noble, but denies to do so, and ends up living an empty and meaningless life.
It is truly astonishing to go through the book, which tells an eventful learning experience. Coelho presents a man who denies to follow his dream as the person who denies to see God, and that ''every happy person carries God within him''. However, only few people choose to follow the road that has been made for them, and find God while searching for their destiny.
Consequently, is Coelho suggesting that the alchemists found God while searching for the elixir of life and the philosopher's stone? What is certain is that the symbolism of the text is a parallel to the symbolism and the symbolic language of alchemism, and similarly '' God's language'' is presented as symbolism of dreams.
Another symbolic act happens when Santiago finds his soul-mate, and the secrets of wisdom in the wilderness of the desert. In the desert, Santiago meets his ''twin-soul'' and discovers that love is the core of existence and creation. Coelho brilliantly says , when we love, we always try to improve ourselves, and that's when everything is possible. The subject of love inspires a beautiful lyricism in Coelho's writing: '' I love you because the whole universe conspired for me to come close to you.''
This novel is simple in its teachings and it shall appeal to everybody, because we all dream and all of us have a santiago inside us. Dreams are the foundation stone of our aspirations, but what we really need are the bricks of inspiration, to make our dreams come true. This book should not be read as a pure philosophy, but an inspiring story of a man, which is symbolic to our real lives.
Coelho with his extraordinary writing skills have written other masterpieces such as ''Paulo Coelho By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept'' and ''Veronika Decides to Die '' which are a must read.
