ALCHEMIST BOOK SUMMARY

        

    This blog explains the summary of the book Alchemist written by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho originally written in Portuguese, published in the year1998 and became one of the most translated and international best seller 

   

    The plot is set in Andalusia, Spain. The story revolves around an Andalusian shepherd boy Santiago who sees a same dream every night in which a child says that he will find treasure at the Egyptian pyramids, then he sets his journey to Egypt to find the treasure. On the way he happens to meet many characters and in the end he meets an alchemist who makes him find his true self    

    The novel introduces the protagonist Santiago sleeping near a sycamore tree in an abandoned church having the same dream every night. In the dream a child tells him about a treasure in the pyramids of Egypt. After meeting with the gypsy woman he decides to go to Egypt also an old man named Melchizedek tells him the same thing, this time the man uses the word" Personal Legend to explain what to do next. he also explains him about good and bad omens, also gives him two stones Urim and Thummim After giving some thoughts to it, he decides to make his way to Egypt. He sells his sheep and begins his journey to tangier

    Everyone has a personal legend too, you already know what it is and must have courage to pursue it. "When you want some thing, all universe conspires in helping you achieve it". On arriving tangier a man tells him that he will take Santiago to the pyramids. unfortunately the man robes Santiago's money and leaves him with nothing. Then he finds a job with a crystal merchant. The merchant teaches him several lessons and in turn Santiago makes the man take risk. This paid off him some money and he becomes rich within a year.

    After earning money he decides to continue his journey towards the pyramid to find his treasure. He joins a caravan that was travelling to Egypt. In his journey he meets an English man who was studying alchemy he was travelling to meet the famous 200 years old alchemist who resides in the Oasis of Al-Fayoum.

    The English man tells him about the emerald stone, has the secret of alchemy in it, which contains of a solid, the Philosopher's stone and liquid, Elixir of life. The alchemist could turn lead into gold.

    The caravan stops at Al-Fayoum. The caravan leader informs them that they cannot continue the journey in order to avoid the tribal war. Meanwhile Santiago falls in love with Fatima.

    In the course of time, while walking in the desert he sees two hawks fighting in the sky. H e considers it as a bad omen ,there might be an enemy attack. He informs the tribal chieftain. Consequently he saves Al- Fayoum from the attacks.

    Alchemist hears about this vision, he approaches him and offers to continue the journey with him. He also tells Santiago to leave Fatima and travel to pursue his legend. Fatima tells him to continue his journey and after that they can get married. On the way they happen to encounter the Arab soldiers. The Alchemist gives all the money Santiago had to the soldiers in order to save their lives. He uses the Philosophers stone, turns lead into gold and gives it to Santiago and returns to the Oasis saying Santiago has to continue the journey alone. 

    After reaching the pyramid he starts digging. But he finds nothing. He is again robbed by the thieves. He then explains about his dream. On saying that, one of the thieves says he too had a similar dream. He says he dreamt that the treasure is under a sycamore tree in an abandoned church in Spain. Santiago now knows where his treasure was, he returns to Spain and starts digging there he finds his treasure.