when it comes to books, i’m the literary equivalent of a light snacker. short stories like “senyum karyamin” and joko pinurbo’s poetry? bite-sized bliss. but novels? they’re a full-course meal when i’m more of a snacks-and-coffee person. who even has the patience to not skim half the pages?
but then came the little prince, which didn’t just nudge me out of my skimming habit—it slapped me with feelings i didn’t know i had. apparently, even lazy readers need a soul recharge sometimes.
now it’s time for book two in my “how to survive reading long books” journey: the alchemist. armed with my newfound patience and slightly less eye-rolling, i cracked it open, ready to see what all the fuss was about.
paulo coelho introduces us to santiago, the og dreamer who swaps sheep-herding in andalusia for treasure-hunting in egypt. why shepherding? it’s his ticket to freedom—a life on the road, no office politics, and plenty of time to ponder the mysteries of life (and his crush on a merchant’s daughter). his recurring treasure-dream keeps him restless, though, hinting at a destiny much bigger than sheep and sunsets.
being a sensible lad, santiago visits a gypsy fortune-teller to interpret the dream. naturally, he’s skeptical because, well, gypsies and treasure maps sound like a scam. but when she confirms he needs to go to egypt, he’s intrigued enough to consider it. along the way, santiago bumps into melchizedek, the self-proclaimed king of salem, who pulls a total plot twist. this guy knows all about santiago’s dream and introduces the concept of a “personal legend”—basically, your life’s ultimate purpose. after some cryptic advice and a couple of magical rocks (urim and thummim) to guide him, santiago takes the plunge and sells his flock to fund his adventure.
next stop: tangier, morocco. santiago’s adventure takes a sharp nosedive when he gets scammed by a so-called “friend.” tough break, but it’s all part of the character-building package. while regrouping, he lands a job with a crystal merchant who’s stuck in his own dreams of visiting mecca but is too scared to act on them. here, santiago learns life lessons about persistence, fear, and the concept of مَكْتُوب (maktub)—“it is written.”
refueled and a bit wiser, santiago joins a caravan heading to egypt. on this leg of the journey, he befriends an englishman who’s obsessed with alchemy. while the englishman is buried in his books trying to crack the secret to turning lead into gold, santiago learns by observing the world around him.
now, i know you’re waiting for the juicy bits—does santiago find the treasure? what’s the deal with the alchemist? but sorry, no spoilers here. you’ll need to read the book for the twists, turns, and mind-blowing symbolism.
what i will say is this: the alchemist isn’t just a story—it’s a ’s a philosophical slap in the face disguised as a novel, sprinkled with life lessons, and served with a side of mysticism. it doesn’t just nudge you to chase your dreams (i know, you’re too busy doom-scrolling or waiting for a sign from the universe). it practically grabs you by the shoulders and yells, “stop settling, go live your life!” but in a poetic way, of course. it’s not just about treasure or pyramids or destiny; it’s about you: your fears, your triumphs, and your messy, beautiful journey. so, whether you’re looking for inspiration, a reality check, or just a good story to make you feel slightly less unaccomplished, this book delivers both—and then some.