It's an excellent novel. In fact, a master piece by Paulo Coelho.

I read it some 2 years back, but still the astonishing influence of that particular novel over my memory rules. The most attractive line, from the book, that revolves in my mind till date is,
"Whoever you are and whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it's because the desire originated in the soul of universe. It's your mission on earth."

Dear friends, you won't believe, but once I completed the reading of novel, my entire previous life memories, from childhood (3,4 years of age when I was) to the my then age, which was perhaps 23 years at that time, started revolving in my mind. I spontaneously started comparing my ex-life experiences to that of Paulo Coelho's sayings, and to the most extent I found them in accordance with each other.

In a nut shell, The Alchemist is extremely motivational writing and a great deal of lesson is hidden in it.

Regards . . .

i read the novelette more than 3 times till date and every time i get different things out of it and had different feelings after finishing it.

firstly,when i read it some 2 years back.it really felt like i am reading some fairy tale which my grandmother and Other elders used to tell us at night.
The only difference was that those tales were about princes,fairies,demonic creatures etc whereas this is based upon the life of the common and ordinary person and his struggle to know his destiny.

i really admired Paulo's way of story telling and his ability to create a gem out of an ordinary story.

After sometime,i came to know about the symbolism present in the Novel.It made me curious enough to go through the book once again,this time from a different perspective.
I became really fascinated that how he coated those common things and day to day activities in the beautiful symbolism.Although i couldn't understand all yet it was really a remarkable experience to read it.And i enjoyed it more than i did on first occasion.

Now whenever i read it i try to ponder over the hidden meanings and symbols and motives behind things.
i am stuck at one symbol particular:the scene where Santiago sees some eagles on the sky,snatching food from each other and attacking.

I wish Paulo could write this in English himself.It would have been a great treat to read it in his words rather than in translation.

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Work until your idols become your rivals.

I also read it thrice or more. It is a marvelous "spirtual journey" indeed. Every line of the book is my favorite line but here are some jewels:

“In his pursuit of the dream, he was being constantly subjected to tests of his persistence and courage. So he could not be hasty, nor impatient. If he pushed forward impulsively, he would fail to see the signs and omens left by God along his path.”

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

“The boy and his heart had become friends, and neither was capable now of betraying the other.”

Thanks to xaara~hussain for starting the thread.

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“There is no God but You (Allah Almighty), You are far exalted and above all weaknesses, and I was indeed the wrongdoer”. AL-QURAN

I read it many years ago..It was superb piece of writing..I'll also recommend members to read this author's other book too.

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A clean dwelling place is the sign of a disturbed mind.

i read this novel when i just started css preparation and i got a lesson in one line

There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve:the fear of failure!

really inspiring novel...