“To realize one’s destiny is a person’s
only obligation.”
The Alchemist
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Paulo Coelho was born August 24, 1947.
He attended a Jesuit school as a boy.
His parents wanted him to become an engineer; he wanted
to be a writer.
His opposition to follow a traditional path led to his parents
committing him to a mental institution from which he
escaped 3 times.
He was released at the age of 20.
At his parent’s wishes he attended law school, however, he
dropped a year later.
Before dedicating his life completely to literature, he
worked as theatre director and actor, lyricist and journalist.
About the Author
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In 1982 Coelho published his first book, Hell Archives, which
failed to make any kind of impact.
In 1987 he wrote The Alchemist and published it through a small
Brazilian publishing house who made an initial print run of 900
copies and decided not to reprint.
He subsequently found a bigger publishing house, and with the
publication of his next book Brida, The Alchemist became a
Brazilian bestseller.
In total, Coelho has published 26 books. Two of them -- The
Pilgrimage and The Valkyries -- are autobiographical, while the
majority of the rest are fictional, although rooted in his life
experiences.
according to the magazine Publishing Trends; he was the most
sold author in the world in 2003 with his book Eleven Minutes –
even though at the time it hadn’t been released in the United
States, Japan or 10 other countries!
Career
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The Alchemist has gone on to sell more than 65 million
copies.
It became one of the best-selling books in history.
It has been translated into more than 67 languages,
winning the Guinness World Record for most translated
book by a living author
The Alchemist
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Messenger of Peace for the UN
Ambassador of European Union for Intercultural Dialogue for the
year of 2008
Member of the Board of the Shimon Peres Institute for Peace
UNESCO special counsellor for “Intercultural Dialogues and
Spiritual Convergences”
Board Member of the Schwab Foundation for Social
Entrepreneurship
Member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters
Member of the Board, Doha Center of Media Freedom
Member of INI International Advisory Council - HARVARD
INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATION INICIATIVE
Paulo Coelho is...
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Elle - Best International Writer Spain 2008
“Wilbur Award”, presented by the Religion Communicators Council
(USA 2006)
Kiklop Literary Award for The Zahir in the category "Hit of the
Year" (Croatia 2006)
DirectGroup International Author Award (Germany 2005)
"Goldene Feder Award" (Germany 2005)
"The Budapest Prize" (Hungary 2005)
"Order of Honour of Ukraine" (Ukraine 2004)
"Order of St. Sophia" for contribution to revival of science and
culture (Ukraine 2004)
"Nielsen Gold Book Award" for The Alchemist (UK 2004)
"Ex Libris Award" for Eleven Minutes (Serbia 2004)
And many more.
Major Prizes
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In 1980, Coelho walked the five hundred-plus
mile Road of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain
He once said that following your dream is like learning
a foreign language; you will make mistakes but you
will get there in the end.
One Defining
Moment... One Alchemist.
Paulo Coelho
The Gypsy Woman
The old King
Fatima
Santiago
The Alchemist
Characters
The Crystal Merchant
The Englishman
Thesis:
Although most of the characters in the novel teach
Santiago life lessons, there are three main characters
who willingly teach him valuable lessons for his long
journey; Santiago could not have been successful in
finding his treasure if it wasn’t for these characters’
profound knowledge and overall existence.
First Group Journal...
She interpreted Santiago’s dream.
 Asked for one tenth of the treasure.
 Told Santiago to pay attention to little things in life:
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“It is the simple things in life that are most extraordinary.” (pg.15)
While riding on the caravan, Santiago was one of the few
people that noticed the desert’s fine sand, rocky areas or
the salt of ancient dried-up lakes.
The Gypsy Woman
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Introduces Santiago to the concept of one’s Personal Legend and
the Soul of the World.
“To realize one’s Personal Legend is a person’s only real obligation.” (pg. 22)
• Tells him about omens and their purpose in life.
“In order to find the treasure, you will have to follow the omens. God
has prepared a path for everyone to follow. You just have to read the
omens that he left for you.” (pg. 29)
• Gives him Urim and Thummim; a black stone that signifies
“yes” and a white one that signifies “no”, to help him read the
omens when he is unable to do so.
• Tells him that there is always a price to be paid if he doesn’t
make his own decisions.
“But if you can, try to make your own decisions. I had to insist on the
payment of six sheep because I helped you to make your decision.” (pg.
30
The Old King
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Tells him the story about a shopkeeper's son:
When asked by a wise man to wander around the palace carrying
a spoon with oil, without spilling the oil, the son began climbing
and descending the many stairways of the palace, keeping his
eyes fixed on the spoon. But when asked by the wise man if he
saw the Persian tapestries, the gorgeous garden or the beautiful
parchments in his library...
He was then asked to return and observe the marvels of his
world. After observing all of the works of art, the garden and the
beauty of flowers, he returned and was asked where the drops of
oil had gone.
“The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world,
and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon.” (pg. 32)
“A shepherd may like to travel, but he should never forget about his
sheep.” (pg. 32)
Furthermore...
“When you want something, all the universe
conspires in helping you to achieve it.” (pg. 22)
Tells Santiago to buy a horse instead of a camel, as horses did
not die unexpectedly.
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“Tomorrow, sell your camel and buy a horse. Camels are
traitorous: they walk thousands of paces and never seem to tire.
Then suddenly, they kneel and die.” (pg. 116)
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Teaches him how to find life in the desert.
“Life attracts life.” (pg. 117)
• Convinces Santiago to continue his journey when he wanted
to remain at the oasis with Fatima.
“Let me tell you what will happen. You’ll be the counsellor of
the oasis. You have enough gold to buy many sheep and many
camels. You’ll marry Fatima and you’ll both be happy for a
year... Sometime during the second year, you’ll remember
about the treasure... During the third year, the omens will
continue to speak of your treasure and your Personal Legend...
And many times you’ll walk the sands of the desert, thinking
that maybe you could have left...(pg. 119)
The Alchemist
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The Alchemist tells Santiago to listen to his heart.
“Listen to your heart. It knows all things, because it came
from the Soul of the World, and it will one day return there.”
(pg. 127)
“Wherever your heart is, that is where you’ll find your treasure.”
(pg. 128)
“If you pretend not to have heard what it tells you, it will always be
there inside you, repeating to you what you’re thinking about life and
about the world. You will never again be able to keep it quiet.” (pg.
129)
• Tells him that “every search begins with the beginner’s luck and
every search ends with the victor’s being severely tested.” (pg. 132)
“Your money saved us three days. It is not often that money saves a
person’s life.” (pg. 141)
Furthermore...
“Everything that happens once can never happen again, but
everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.”
(pg. 156.)
-The Alchemist