
Santiago has a dream that keeps repeating. (Remember this location, it will be important later!) The roof is caved in and there is a large beautiful sycamore tree growing through the middle of the church. He spends his days wandering with his sheep across the grassy hills of Andalusia, an area of southern Spain.įor the night, he has come to the ruins of an old church in the countryside. The story begin a shepherd boy named Santiago. Listen to Your Dreams: Santiago is a simple wandering shepherd boy who dreams of hidden treasure But it was republished and through word of mouth, the book slowly grew in popularity, until today it is one of the bestselling books of all time. When The Alchemist was published, it sold very few copies and the first published actually dropped the book. So he began an entirely new career, despite nearing the age of 40. During that trip he had a spiritual awakening, which inspired him to go after his lifelong dream of being a novelist. Then he walked a long pilgrimage in Spain, along the route known as Camino de Santiago. He became a songwriter for some popular Brazilian music artists. During his 20’s, he worked various jobs and traveled extensively. Paulo Coelho (Britannica) was born in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. By the end, you’ll understand why many people call it ‘a self help book in disguise.’ About the author In this book summary of The Alchemist, we will quickly explore the most important points, ideas, and takeaways. And for the same reason, I think that is why so many people connect deeply with this story. He was pointing to a deeper invisible spiritual truths. But hidden underneath is a surprisingly deep message.īack when Jesus told simple stories about lost sheep and mustard seeds, he wasn’t actually talking about sheep or seeds. On the surface, The Alchemist story is a simple fable about a shepherd and treasure. And now, you’re reading a book summary about it. Ordinary readers rush to buy it, with over 65 million copies sold in 150 countries. Why do so many people love The Alchemist?įamous celebrities rave about it, including Will Smith, Madonna, Kobe Bryant and Bill Clinton.
