For anyone who wants to discover their inner self. Review on The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

Inner self - sounds like a load of bull. My sentiments exactly. At one point I wanted to know what this was all about and I read a few books, but it was more like reading a textbook, and you know how text books are. The moment you open it, your brain either goes in full gear thinking of a lot of other things, or just completely shuts off and you fall asleep. But Paulo Coelho excels on this topic. Although it sounds more related to a science subject, Paulo brings a dimension which cannot just be brought about by a fiction author, but through out the book you feel as if the author really lives and believes in his stuff.

And to say about alchemy - I thought it was something about the elixir of life and turning stuff into gold. But this book gives a whole, different angle to the science. It is more of the science of knowing nature and the world around you, and being one with it.

I was introduced to this book by one of my friends, at a roadside at bangalore (I normally pick fictions). He told me that it was a real good book (and all that blah), but it was only after I bought the book that he told me he hadn't read it, but a friend of his read the review and liked it (God spare me!). Anyways, I thought I might as well give it a try.

But right from the beginning I knew I was going to spare my friend for what he did to me. All through the book, you feel you should embark on a journey (although not physical) but atleast on a conscious realm, so that you can find your true self.

The book shows us characters who are not living but just existing because of their fear of the unknown, people who have lived life fully, but have only advises in the end, and people (like the alchemist) who helps you find what you're looking for. And the best part is you know you are capable of greater things in your life, but you never have the courage to 'jump off the cliff'.

But what I feel the key point which is being driven home through out the book (in a subtle way, of course) is the quote by the old king ''when you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true''. I'm not commenting any more on the book, cos I want those who read the book to be the same way as I was when I read it - no clue :)

Paulo Coelho presents the whole thing you find in textbooks of this subject, in a clear way through a story which keeps you involved all through. His style of writing is crisp, and there is a flow through out which keeps you absorbed. Some may find this highly unrealistic, but just pause and look inside ourselves, be truthful to yourself, and no one else. Don't we longed to find out how we fit in the whole universe, and what our role in it is?

The author has a series of other books (i've started a collection of his books), although the ones i've read aren't probably this powerful. 'The pilgrimage' is a good book, which provides exercises to reach inside you to reach outside (shucks, I love confusing people). I haven't tried these as yet (maybe sometime i'll really get to it), but as you read through, you know that these are things you really need to develop. I wouldn't call them skills, but its more of knowledge.

There is a story of course, so don't think its just a manual. 'The fifth mountain' is an incident in the life of Elijah (a prophet in the bible), and its presented really well. But when you read through try to relate it with your life, otherwise it just ends up as a good story.

Ok ok, I know this is not the place to write about other books (I get carried away at times), but the alchemist is a must read for people who really want to know what they really are, what they are made of. For others, I promise its a real good read.