The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel

By Paulo Coelho

Andalusian shepherd boy Santiago travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within.

Since its first printing The Alchemist has been translated into seventy-one languages and sold forty million copies worldwide, establishing itself as a modern classic that will enchant and inspire readers for generations to come. Beautifully rendered, The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel is a must have for any collector's library.

Acclaimed illustrator Daniel Sampere brings Paulo Coelho's classic to new life in this gorgeously illustrated graphic novel adaptation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: May 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9780063055391

Paulo Coelho

One of the most influential writers of our time, Paulo Coelho is the author of thirty international bestsellers, including The Alchemist, Warrior of the Light, Brida, Veronika Decides to Die, and Eleven Minutes. He is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters and a United Nations Messenger of Peace. Paulo is the recipient of 115 international prizes and awards, among them, the Chevalier de l'Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur (Legion of Honor). Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1947, he soon discovered his vocation for writing. He worked as a director, theater actor, songwriter, and journalist. In 1986, a special meeting led him to make the pilgrimage to Saint James Compostela (in Spain). The Road to Santiago was not only a common pilgrimage but a turning point in his existence. A year later, he wrote The Pilgrimage, an autobiographical novel that is considered the beginning of his literary career. He lives in Geneva, Switzerland.

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Reviews for The Alchemist

[Rajah “G” Freeman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

With an exciting life lesson wrapped in a mystery bundle, the book shows that a man's path toward his destiny is always covered with challenges. Along the journey, there are enlightened ones who assist us to find stay and find our own personal treasures.

[adelajad9 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It captures and adds to the essence of the original novel, a must read to complete the story in your mind.

[dzulka ., · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow, open minded? i was enjoing this from first page

[Cutloos · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful book full of gems of wisdom. I would read it again Ave again

[Aaron Cheung · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great! Love the art style :)
Would definitely recommend to anyone

[alpha sekou Diallo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So much depth, history and spiritual WISDOM written in a format easy to read and visualise. amazing book by Paulo Coelho now written in a format that I can give to my children to read and re-read.

[juliecracchiolo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This short novel was recommended to me by a friend. I’d had it on my shelf for many years, but had never gotten around to reading it. But based on my friend’s endorsement, I grabbed it and started reading. It was nothing like I expected. I imagined a traditional novel, not a fable. The Alchemist is the story of Santiago, a young Andalusian shepherd boy. He travels from his home in Spain to Morocco and across the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried at the Pyramids. Along the way he meets many spiritual advisors who are represented in such forms as a camel driver and a well-read Englishman. It’s in one of the Englishman’s books that Santiago learns the definition of an alchemist---one who believes that if metal is heated for many years, it frees itself of all individual properties.Along his journey, Santiago does meet an alchemist who helps him find the true meaning of finding the treasure. It’s a story of becoming self-empowered and believing in your dreams.I found this book very similar to Joan Brady’s God on a Harley. I didn’t relate to it as much, but it was still a wonderful read. I give it four out of five stars.

[carmenere_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

In all honesty, I own Coelho's novel in fiction form but have yet to read it and after reading this Graphic Novel, I'm not sure I even want to read it. Yet the fact that the original is one of the top selling works of all time may have me deciding in its favor. Without having read the original I find it difficult, if not impossible to compare. But, truthfully, I do not feel this graphic novel puts the best selling original in a good light. I think it is difficult to give Santiago's journey the depth it deserves in this medium and it often seems nonsensical. Back story and development of characters is just not there. Things happen too quickly nor given the time to properly be developed and explained leaving me a bit befuddled at times. I think the message is very simple however and for people that have read the 1988 novel you may want to take a look at this version. For everyone else, I really can't recommend it.Edit | More

[lucy3107_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

While this is a good adaptation, as far as graphic novels go, I'm glad I read the "traditional" novel first, because there is definitely something missing from this version. Also, is it that hard for graphic novel illustrators to draw normal-looking women? Do they all have to look like superheroines with ridiculous, comical proportions? These small gripes aside, this is one of the better adaptations that I've seen and it maintains the plot and basic premise of the original. I look forward to studying the illustrations in more detail to see all the little things I missed the first time through.

[sairawrites · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The graphic novel of this popular book was a fast read with lovely artwork that enriched the reading experience. This book is aligned with similar themed books which I enjoy reading. Following our personal legend is a powerful and important theme.

[thealternativeone · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Book Review – The Alchemist (Graphic Novel) by Paulo CoelhoThe Alchemist Paulo Coelho Illustrations by Daniel Sampere Hardcover 208 pages Publisher: Harperone Publication Date: November 15th, 2010 ISBN-13: 978-0062024329 The Alchemist (Graphic Novel) by Paulo Coelho and illustrated by Daniel Sampere is a visual study in life’s lessons expressed as a fable and tells the story of a boy named Santiago who has the imagination and resolution to follow his “Personal Legend.” While Coelho’s story is compelling and spiritual Dan Sampere’s art and design brings it to life. Each of Santiago’s guides are beautifully drawn (one in the likeness of Coelho himself) and help enhance the lessons being taught. The Alchemist embraces a number of important messages, lessons that have been told and re-told in literature countless times. However, that does not make this particular story any less valid (or enjoyable) then those that have come before it. In fact, the art enhances every aspect of the story. As a matter of fact, the story depicted in graphic novel form tells the story better, I think, than the novel. Where a thousand words might suffice in fiction, ten words and an image need to deliver the same message graphically. That paring down helps highlight the many morals the protagonist encounters in his journey. Coelho points out the emotions encountered when something urgent is desired and how, for some, that need often manifests its way in a universal realignment to point us in the direction of that goal. Coelho explains how a true hunger and passion for something can, and often is, rewarded by success and that every one of us has a “Personal Legend” inside us waiting to blossom. The story reminds us that those who love us encourage and inspire us in so many ways to follow our dreams, to pursue our ambitions, and how simply reaching for our goals will take us to places we might never expect. File with: Parables, philosophy, life lessons, and spirituality.4 ½ stars out of 5The Alternative One Southeast Wisconsin

[minjung_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have this book (the regular novel), but I hadn't been able to get into it. I thought reading the graphic novel first might help.The first thing that struck me about the graphic novel is the amazing artwork. Each page featured colourful, detailed, mini-masterpieces. The story itself is both deep yet simplistic.A shepherd called Santiago has a dream one night as he's tending his sheep. When he goes to the village to sell the wool, he meets a Gypsy woman and gets the dream interpreted. Soon after, he meets a King. So begins Santiago's journey to the pyramids in Egypt. As he's travelling, he meets of characters, all with various lessons to teach him (or lessons that he happens to learn along the way.Throughout his travels, we also learn the story of how he became a shepherd, which isn't as obvious as it may seem. He's actually a well-educated young man who decided to become a shepherd as a way to travel and see the world.This book on which this graphic novel is based was recommended to me long ago by a friend, and as I came to the end, I understood why. This is one of those stories, though, that I think ten different people could each get different things from the story depending on what's going on with them, which is also what makes this story special.

[bellydancer_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Santiago, a young shepherd, travels to the Pyramids in Egypt to discover the treasure he believes is buried there. Along the way he meets different people who unknowingly change the course of Santiago’s fate.The journey for the discovery of the treasure becomes a journey of self-discovery for Santiago.The original of this book is one of my top 10 books ever. However I feel a lot of the meaning to the story is lost in the graphic novel medium. Although the artwork is superb and the colour palette mesmerizing, I would still choose the book as I felt the feelings and anticipation of Santiago did not come through.