Psychology
The Alchemist Summary & Review: Follow the Dream That Keeps Returning
Paulo Coelho's fable of Personal Legend: why the treasure is often where you started, how a comfortable shop becomes a trap, and…
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Paulo Coelho
"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
Paulo Coelho is a Brazilian novelist whose fable The Alchemist became one of the bestselling books of modern times. After walking the Camino de Santiago he wrote The Pilgrimage, then The Alchemist in 1988. He is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters and a United Nations Messenger of Peace.
Author of The Alchemist·150 million copies·Key themes: Personal Legend, omens, calling
Books by Paulo Coelho
Our in-depth summaries and reviews of his work
Key Ideas & Recurring Themes
Personal Legend
The assignment your life keeps returning to — not every want, the persistent one you cannot argue away.
The crystal merchant's someday
A decent life plus a speech about later is the most respectable way to abandon a dream.
The treasure was always home
You often have to leave in order to recognise what was already under the tree.
Notable Quotes
"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."— The Alchemist
"There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure."— The Alchemist
Related Authors
Book Author Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist Summary & Review: Follow the Dream That Keeps Returning
Paulo Coelho's fable of Personal Legend: why the treasure is often where you started, how a comfortable shop becomes a trap, and a 7-day plan to begin.