The Alchemist

Ranked #1 in Facebook, Ranked #1 in Lightsee more rankings.

Paulo Coelho's enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and inspiring wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. What starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts. less

Reviews and Recommendations

We've comprehensively compiled reviews of The Alchemist from the world's leading experts.

Tony Robbins Life CoachRecommends this book

Brené Brown There's a great quote in [this book]: When you're on the right path the universe conspires to help you! (Source)

Anthony Robbins Recommends this book

Eric Ripert Speaks of everyone having an ultimate goal in life, but most of us are too afraid to pursue it. The encouragement to fulfill your dreams is very inspirational! (Source)

Daniel Ek It was fascinating to talk to [the author] about how this book came to be such a hit—he never backed down, and he allowed people to read it for free in order to then boost sales—much like how Spotify’s freemium model was perceived in the early days. (Source)

Will Smith One of my favorite books. (Source)

Kamal Ravikant Entrepreneur & AuthorIt really opened my mind up in a way a book hadn’t done at that point in my life. It’s a beautiful, beautiful fable. I think everyone should read that book at some point in their life. (Source)

Aubrey Marcus Recommends this book

Jeremy Boudinet I read The Alchemist at a crucial point in my life last year. It really reframed how I saw my own life. There's a lot to be learned from the Narrator's quest to find his life's treasure - and the role that love, faith, perseverance, kindness, and experience plays in his journey to find it. (Source)

Ryan Shea [Ryan Shea said this is one of his most-recommended books.] (Source)

Marie Denis I see it as a spiritual guide, it helps me see things differently, with hindsight. What I like the most is that it reminds me that sometimes it’s better to listen to your heart rather than people telling you what you should do. And I think it’s really important, especially in this industry. A lot of people have something to say and advice to give, but in the end it’s different for everyone so it’s important to listen to your guts. I listen to it on my phone, the narrators are really awesome in the French version. It relaxes me and it’s my n°1 technique to get to sleep. (Source)

Roxana Bitoleanu [One of the books that had the biggest impact on ] The Alchemist, because we shouldn't look for happiness further than ourselves. (Source)

Ella Botting A lovely story about how the journey is often more important than the reward. Don’t stay in a job you hate just for the big bucks. (Source)

Peter Vu I have learned a lot of lessons that I often use to reflect today. The book is easy to read, which is an important plus for me as I’m quite busy. During my time as CEO of Unstatic, I felt depressed many times, either because the app experienced some downturns and thus affected my company financially, or because everything in my company just went out of control altogether. At that time, I remember the quote from The Alchemist: “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” I know, it’s nothing compared to motivational speeches on TED Talk or... (Source)

Jules Schroeder The Alchemist talks about "omens" or signs that appear in our lives that are meant to signal we are on the right path or to consider going in another direction. I read it on a sailboat in 4 hours in Boston, MA a few years ago. I couldn't put the book down. It gave me a new perspective on how to interact with life. Instead of trying to force things to happen or make things happen, pause, reflect, receive and wait. That everything is already and always in order if you are willing to pay attention and release attachment to your timeline. (Source)

Ng Rong Xin I’ve read this book more than 3 times at different stages of life and in different languages (English and Chinese Mandarin). I love it, it’s remarkable! (Source)

Daylon Soh There were multiple occasions that books I read helped me but what left a deeper impression was when a friend mentioned how a book I recommended changed his life. The book was The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and that revelation was special because I realised a single idea has the power to change a person's trajectory. From that book, he started looking out for omens in his life and being more sensitive about the opportunities around him. He is now transitioning from being a corporate employee to an entrepreneur. (Source)

Sarissa Rodriguez-Schwartz The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho because it is essentially a bible of life without having religious implications. (Source)

Stephen Lew "The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho is my all time favourite and followed by "Man in Search of Meaning” by Viktor Frankl. The Alchemist speaks of a fable, built on the metaphorical pillars representing life's challenges, particularly on a boy’s narrative of his journey of life. The story is fuelled with lessons of passion, trials of fear and uncertainties, courage, and in many aspects, illustrates the need of driving one’s capacity towards fulfilling their passion and calling. The transformational process of the protagonist brings upon parallel insights to my personal development, sometimes... (Source)

Seth Louey A non-business book that I always read at least once every few years is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. It’s truly helped me to become a better person mentally and spiritually. (Source)

Mehdi Kajbaf I think that every career path begins with an understanding of who you are and what matters to you. In that light I will suggest some self discovery books. And of course some great business books. (Source)

Henry Medine I promote range and diversity. Thus, I recommend readers to expose themselves to as many different topics as possible. I usually have 2-4 books I refer back to at any given time. They range in topics from management, art, spirituality and philosophy. Trying to get the engineering thing going but don't much of a mind for science. (Source)

Mike Benkovich Lastly, honourable mention for The Alchemist. Because sometimes what you're searching for is under your nose the whole time ;) (Source)

Joel Gascoigne Reading The Alchemist the first time was a very liberating experience for me. It helped me to dream big and keep following my gut, and not settle - which is what the story, about a shepherd boy named Santiago, is all about. It's a simple and short book and has stook in my mind ever since I read it. The Alchemist conveys a powerful idea: that the world will help you if you just choose to follow your dream, that often times our upbringing and environment lead us to believe dreams are impossible to realize, and that it won't be a smooth journey and that is fine. (Source)

Ola Olusoga There was a moment where I was on a quest for self-discovery. I felt lost and wasn't sure if I was who I was because I made the decision to be me, or if my identity was programmed by culture, society and setting. Because of that, I started reading self-help books to reconstruct identity and mold who I wanted to be. This book helped me. (Source)

Sonia Satra Paulo Coelho said in his book, The Alchemist, that “It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” https://t.co/7RHif3ZDox (Source)

Harrison Faigen @jeaniezk @AnthonyIrwinLA @LakerFilmRoom I do honestly love that book (Source)

Dhariana Lozano Nyc Social Media Consultant "People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of." – Paulo Coelho I love this quote from the book “The Alchemist”. And I fully believe that at this time, more than ever, the statement above is true. In your hand you hold such such a powerful tool & https://t.co/AkN2Nq60CQ (Source)

Gabby Reece It’s that reminder that as you go out in the world and you’re looking for all these things, sometimes it is within us. (Source)

Big Sean Will help you implement ways of applying successful traits to your life that will take you up. (Source)


Rankings by Category

The Alchemist is ranked in the following categories:


Similar Books

If you like The Alchemist, check out these similar top-rated books:


Learn: What makes Shortform summaries the best in the world?