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The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide
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Unlock the more straightforward side of The Alchemist with this concise and insightful summary and analysis!
This engaging summary presents an analysis of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, a charming philosophical novel which tells the story of Santiago, a young shepherd who decides to leave his native Andalusia after he has a dream about treasure that lies buried at the foot of the Pyramids. His journey through the desert leads to encounters with mysterious characters such as a fortune-teller, a king and, most importantly of all, an alchemist who helps him understand the secrets of the universe and fulfil his destiny. The Alchemist is the best-known work by Paulo Coelho, a Brazilian author whose writing is known for its spiritual and esoteric themes. It has been translated into more than 50 languages, and a film adaptation has been planned.
Find out everything you need to know about The Alchemist in a fraction of the time!
This in-depth and informative reading guide brings you:
• A complete plot summary
• Character studies
• Key themes and symbols
• Questions for further reflection
Why choose BrightSummaries.com?
Available in print and digital format, our publications are designed to accompany you in your reading journey. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.
See the very best of literature in a whole new light with BrightSummaries.com!
This engaging summary presents an analysis of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, a charming philosophical novel which tells the story of Santiago, a young shepherd who decides to leave his native Andalusia after he has a dream about treasure that lies buried at the foot of the Pyramids. His journey through the desert leads to encounters with mysterious characters such as a fortune-teller, a king and, most importantly of all, an alchemist who helps him understand the secrets of the universe and fulfil his destiny. The Alchemist is the best-known work by Paulo Coelho, a Brazilian author whose writing is known for its spiritual and esoteric themes. It has been translated into more than 50 languages, and a film adaptation has been planned.
Find out everything you need to know about The Alchemist in a fraction of the time!
This in-depth and informative reading guide brings you:
• A complete plot summary
• Character studies
• Key themes and symbols
• Questions for further reflection
Why choose BrightSummaries.com?
Available in print and digital format, our publications are designed to accompany you in your reading journey. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.
See the very best of literature in a whole new light with BrightSummaries.com!
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Reviews for The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (Book Analysis)
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Book preview
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (Book Analysis) - Bright Summaries
BRAZILIAN WRITER AND LYRICIST
Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1947.
Notable works:
The Pilgrimage (1987), novel
Veronika Decides to Die (1998), novel
The Devil and Miss Prym (2000), novel
Paulo Coelho was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1947. At the age of 23, he left Brazil to travel through South America (Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Chile), Europe and North Africa. He returned to Brazil two years later and began working in the music industry, first as a writer of pop songs, then as a journalist specialising in Brazilian music and eventually as an employee at the American music label PolyGram. However, the lure of travelling and his desire for spiritual fulfilment proved irresistible, and he set off again in 1982.
His first successful novel, The Pilgrimage (1987), was inspired by his own experience on the Camino de Santiago (a popular Christian pilgrimage route in Spain). Coelho has continued to publish regularly in the intervening years, and his work has been well received by the general public and the literary world alike: he won Elle magazine’s Reader’s Choice Award in 1995 and was elected to the Brazilian Academy of Letters in 2002.
A SPIRITUAL QUEST
Genre: philosophical novel
Reference edition: Coelho, P. (2012) The Alchemist. Trans. Clarke, A. R. London: HarperCollins.
1st edition: 1988
Themes: mysticism, journey, religion, identity, quest, coming-of-age
The Alchemist tells the story of Santiago, a young Andalusian shepherd who leaves his sheep and his homeland in search of the treasure he believes is buried at the foot of the Pyramids in Egypt. The young man has many encounters and experiences along the way, all of which lead him towards the treasure he seeks while also helping him to discover himself.
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