Why it's essential
This classic parable about following your dreams is the perfect self-development story, rich in inspiration and encouragement.
Featured in The Top 100 Well-Being Listens of All Time.
What is The Alchemist about?
The Alchemist is a classic tale about a young sheep herder, Santiago, who embarks on an international journey to seek out his life’s treasure. Along the way, the boy learns the importance of following his heart and trusting in the power of the universe.
Editor's review
Editor Madeline loves memoir, literary fiction that tackles the existential, and all the sapphic stories she can get her hands on.
At its core, The Alchemist is a spiritual guide. Packed into the form of a short fable, it follows young Santiago, a shepherd boy who travels far and wide in hopes of finding his life’s treasures. Within the simplicity of the story, universal messages are able to unfold in profound ways, ringing true with a newfound sense of urgency—listen to your heart, follow your intuition, and have the courage to walk towards your dreams even when you are afraid of what might happen next.
Far from an expansive, ancient desert, I listened to this story for the first time on the beach. After hearing rave reviews of The Alchemist for several years from friends and acquaintances, I had decided to listen to the audiobook on a rare week off. It was Christmas, and for the first time in a long time, I was not with my family for the holidays. I was spending that lost week between Christmas and New Year's on a bed of white sand in the Hawaiian Islands, on something of an engagement-moon with my fiancé. It was all gorgeous—the sun, the purplish mountains in the distance, the giant sea turtles that gently floated in the water like kids on a perpetual vacation. Taken at face value, there should have been no worries in sight. But secretly, I was worried. In fact, I was extremely worried. I was living with a nagging feeling that I kept trying to push down, and that each time I did, would inevitably rise again. In the end, listening to a story about a young boy in Egypt helped me to tap into my own heart of hearts, inevitably realizing the truth—I did not want to marry this man, and in fact, I wouldn’t.
Did you know?
Now a modern classic that spent more than 315 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list, The Alchemist was first published by an obscure Brazilian publishing house and largely unread. Another publisher eventually re-published Coelho's book, but it remained obscure and barely sold. It wasn’t until an American tourist found the novel and helped Coelho to translate the book into English that it became the literary phenomenon it is today.
Of his journey to success, Coelho has said, "I was 41 and desperate. But I never lost faith in the book or ever wavered in my vision. Why? Because it was me in there, all of me, heart and soul. I was living my own metaphor."
What listeners said
"No better choice to read this magnificent book by Paul Coelho than Jeremy Irons. It is exceptionally well read, with great expression, and wonderful adaption of voice to characters ... profound yet told simply with grace and depth." –Linda, Audible listener
"This book was a life changing read for me. I was moved and spiritually uplifted by this remarkable story. I can't say enough about this book other than the fact that my children will hear it over and over again." –Daniel, Audible listener
"The Alchemist is hands down the best writing I have ever heard. In a light-hearted story, Paulo Coelho embedded the meanings of life, love, intention, and truth. Anyone with an open mind and an expansive heart will find this book profoundly life changing." –Sisi, Audible listener
Listen if you loved
Quotes from The Alchemist
"Don't give in to your fears. If you do, you won't be able to talk to your heart."
"When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too."
"Everyone on earth has a treasure that awaits him."
About the author
Paulo Coelho was born in 1947 in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Having written more than 30 books that have sold over 320 million copies in 170 countries, he has become one of the most widely read authors in the world today. Coelho has been a United Nations Messenger of Peace since 2007 and this has allowed him to continue to promote intercultural dialogue and to focus on the needs of children. He is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters and the recipient of more than 115 awards and honors.
About the performer
Jeremy Irons is an English actor and activist. After receiving classical training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Irons began his acting career on stage in 1969 and has appeared in many West End theatre productions, including the Shakespeare plays The Winter's Tale, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the Shrew, and Richard II. Irons made his Broadway debut in Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing, receiving the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.
