Makhtub. Review on The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

People need not fear the unknown if they are capable of achieving what they need and want. Life really is generous to those who pursue their destiny.

How often do you come across a book that can change your life, your approach towards life? How many books in today’s world that speaks about fate, destiny and tales? How often do you read about magical adventures, hidden treasures and journey that you feel so lost that you start living it? The Alchemist, by Paul Coelho is one such book of tales that has been spun around magical adventures that tells a tale about following ones dream which bears a significance to destiny.

''When you really want something, When you desire it will all your heart, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it''

Santiago is a Shepherd who could read. He is from a small town in Spain named Andalusia. He could read because he was a drop out from the seminary, chose to be a shepherd because he wanted to travel and go places. It was this desire that He stumbled upon an adventure captured in this book.

Santiago finds himself in Tangier, the harbor on the Mediterranean coast in Africa. He is to go to The Pyramids of Egypt crossing the desert. Being robbed of his money in a foreign land, Santiago neither was able to go back to Andalusia to his sheep, nor able to pursue his quest for the treasure in the pyramids.

Every one seems to have a clear idea of how others should lead their lives but none their own

As Santiago proceeds towards his treasure He comes across different people, representing the various aspects of the human soul. The King of Salem who further pushes Santiago to pursue the treasure. He worked with a crystal merchant who dreamt of going to Mecca for Hajj pilgrimage but never did because he gave up on that hope and resigned to his fate. A camel Driver who was well to do before he went for Hajj pilgrimage had lost everything when he returned from Hajj. The Englishman wanted to know the secret of alchemy by meeting the old and wise Alchemist. Then there is the Alchemist himself, who becomes a friend philosopher and guide to Santiago, full of wisdom and foresight to offer his help to Santiago.

One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving. Love is the Force that transforms and improves the soul of the world.

During his prolonged stay in the Oasis due to the war between the Moorish tribes, He comes across Fatima, the desert woman, and is instantly in love with her. He almost gave up his quest for treasure to stay back with Fatima, but then the wise Alchemist with his wisdom and foresight asked him to move along to find the treasure, and then return to Fatima. Fatima knows that it is fate that brought Him to her, ''The desert would bring him a present, one day''. She also knew that it is written that He must go away for his quest, and surely the Deserts would bring him back to her one day.

Makthub - means It is written.

And for The Desert...

The desert is known to be gloomy, dangerous and a deadly force of nature. It isn’t everyone’s dream idea of spending a vacation there. Santiago had to go through the desert. Desert had many things to offer as Santiago was about to find out. Desert puts to test the human spirit, courage and faith in our own destiny. The desert sand dunes change because of the wind, but the desert remains the same.

I hope this book has something to offer you .May the good Lord bless you to find your own treasure in life (give me a 10th of that treasure when you find it)

Comments Welcome

Davieboy