The Alchemist An Adventure By cursedsoul on Feb 14, 2009 - Updated Oct 15, 2011

The Alchemist is one of Paulo Coelho's most popular books. The book is based on the theme of destiny, upholding the idea that when you really want something, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true. I do not know how many people believe in destiny, symbols and signs but this fable is more of reading an adventure than anything else..the adventure of a boy named Santiago who dreams of a hidden treasure in Egypt and braves several odds to realise his dream. Along the course of the journey, the reader is revealed several truths of life, one of which I truly appreciated was a line Santiago's father tells him before he sets off to Egypt- "Travel the world until you see that our castle is the greatest, and our women the most beautiful."

The purpose of the book is to not simply spin a ficticious tale but to make it uphold the complexity and the intricateness of human thinking- our beliefs, the entire process of decision making and more importantly, courage. The Alchemist is a book that can be read when you are low to get your spirits up..or even when you are overwhelmed with joy, to make your spirits even.