Alchemist : A Fable about Following Your Dream

by Coelho, Paulo

• ISBN13: 9780061122415
• ISBN10: 0061122416
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-04-25
• Publisher: HARPERTRADE

About This Book

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a timeless and enchanting novel that has captivated readers worldwide since its publication in 1988. This book tells the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who dreams of a treasure hidden in the Pyramids of Egypt. His journey is filled with spiritual and philosophical insights as he navigates through various challenges and encounters mystical beings.

Who Uses It?

Primarily, The Alchemist is used by students and educators in literature and philosophy courses at the high school and college levels. It's also a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring themes of self-discovery, spirituality, and the power of following one's dreams. The book's universal appeal makes it a favorite among readers of all ages.

History and Editions

First published in Portuguese as "O Alquimista," The Alchemist has been translated into over 80 languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide. The book's enduring popularity can be attributed to its rich storytelling, profound themes, and Paulo Coelho's unique writing style. The novel has been widely read and discussed in various educational settings, fostering critical thinking and reflection.

Author and Other Works

Paulo Coelho is a Brazilian novelist known for his thought-provoking and often mystical writings. Some of his notable works include Veronika Decides to Die, Eleven Minutes, and The Pilgrimage. Coelho's writing often explores themes of spirituality, love, and self-discovery, resonating deeply with readers from diverse backgrounds.

Detailed Information

ISBNs and Formats

Hardcover: ISBN-13: 9780061122415

eTextbook: ISBN-13: 9780061122422 (The ebook for "The Alchemist" is available right here on eCampus.com!)

eTextbook: ISBN-13: 9780061122439 (The ebook for "The Alchemist" is available right here on eCampus.com!)

Paperback: ISBN-13: 9780061122446

Audiobook: ISBN-13: 9780061122453

Publication Details

Publisher: HarperOne

Publication Date: 1993

Number of Pages: 224

Language: English

Rental Options

Rental options are available through eCampus.com with various rental durations.

Other Editions and Formats

• Paperback: ISBN-13: 9780061122446
• Audiobook: ISBN-13: 9780061122453
• E-book: ISBN-13: 9780061122422 (The ebook for "The Alchemist" is available right here on eCampus.com!)
• E-book: ISBN-13: 9780061122439 (The ebook for "The Alchemist" is available right here on eCampus.com!)

This detailed information section provides a quick reference for all the available formats and sources for The Alchemist, making it easier to find and access the book in the preferred format.

Excerpts

The Alchemist

Chapter One

The boy's name was Santiago. Dusk was falling as the boy arrived with his herd at an abandoned church. The roof had fallen in long ago, and an enormous sycamore had grown on the spot where the sacristy had once stood.

He decided to spend the night there. He saw to it that all the sheep entered through the ruined gate, and then laid some planks across it to prevent the flock from wandering away during the night. There were no wolves in the region, but once an animal had strayed during the night, and the boy had had to spend the entire next day searching for it.

He swept the floor with his jacket and lay down, using the book he had just finished reading as a pillow. He told himself that he would have to start reading thicker books: they lasted longer, and made more comfortable pillows.

It was still dark when he awoke, and, looking up, he could see the stars through the half-destroyed roof.

I wanted to sleep a little longer, he thought. He had had the same dream that night as a week ago, and once again he had awakened before it ended.

He arose and, taking up his crook, began to awaken the sheep that still slept. He had noticed that, as soon as he awoke, most of his animals also began to stir. It was as if some mysterious energy bound his life to that of the sheep, with whom he had spent the past two years, leading them through the countryside in search of food and water. "They are so used to me that they know my schedule," he muttered. Thinking about that for a moment, he realized that it could be the other way around: that it was he who had become accustomedto their schedule.

But there were certain of them who took a bit longer to awaken. The boy prodded them, one by one, with his crook, calling each by name. He had always believed that the sheep were able to understand what he said. So there were times when he read them parts of his books that had made an impression on him, or when he would tell them of the loneliness or the happiness of a shepherd in the fields. Sometimes he would comment to them on the things he had seen in the villages they passed.

But for the past few days he had spoken to them about only one thing: the girl, the daughter of a merchant who lived in the village they would reach in about four days. He had been to the village only once, the year before. The merchant was the proprietor of a dry goods shop, and he always demanded that the sheep be sheared in his presence, so that he would not be cheated. A friend had told the boy about the shop, and he had taken his sheep there.

"I need to sell some wool," the boy told the merchant.

The shop was busy, and the man asked the shepherd to wait until the afternoon. So the boy sat on the steps of the shop and took a book from his bag.

"I didn't know shepherds knew how to read," said a girl's voice behind him.

The girl was typical of the region of Andalusia, with flowing black hair, and eyes that vaguely recalled the Moorish conquerors.

"Well, usually I learn more from my sheep than from books," he answered. During the two hours that they talked, she told him she was the merchant's daughter, and spoke of life in the village, where each day was like all the others. The shepherd told her of the Andalusian countryside, and related the news from the other towns where he had stopped. It was a pleasant change from talking to his sheep.

"How did you learn to read?" the girl asked at one point.

"Like everybody learns," he said. "In school."

"Well, if you know how to read, why are you just a shepherd?"

The boy mumbled an answer that allowed him to avoid responding to her question. He was sure the girl would never understand. He went on telling stories about his travels, and her bright, Moorish eyes went wide with fear and surprise. As the time passed, the boy found himself wishing that the day would never end, that her father would stay busy and keep him waiting for three days. He recognized that he was feeling something he had never experienced before: the desire to live in one place forever. With the girl with the raven hair, his days would never be the same again.

But finally the merchant appeared, and asked the boy to shear four sheep. He paid for the wool and asked the shepherd to come back the following year. And now it was only four days before he would be back in that same village. He was excited, and at the same time uneasy: maybe the girl had already forgotten him. Lots of shepherds passed through, selling their wool.

"It doesn't matter," he said to his sheep. "I know other girls in other places."

But in his heart he knew that it did matter. And he knew that shepherds, like seamen and like traveling salesmen, always found a town where there was someone who could make them forget the joys of carefree wandering.

The day was dawning, and the shepherd urged his sheep in the direction of the sun. They never have to make any decisions, he thought. Maybe that's why they always stay close to me.

The only things that concerned the sheep were food and water. As long as the boy knew how to find the best pastures in Andalusia, they would be his friends. Yes, their days were all the same, with the seemingly endless hours between sunrise and dusk; and they had never read a book in their young lives, and didn't understand when the boy told them . . .

The Alchemist. Copyright © by Paulo Coelho. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.

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Excerpted from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.