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The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is an allegory about the necessity of pursuing one’s dream and ultimately arriving at one’s destiny. Summary Of The Book Through The Alchemist, Coelho helps readers understand the importance of pursuing one’s destiny and how the universe helps one reach their goal. Santiago is the protagonist of Coelho’s story. He is a simple shepherd boy who tends to his flock, and lives in the Andalusian Mountains. Santiago’s tidy and sterile universe becomes unsettled when he starts having recurring dreams about finding treasure at the Egyptian Pyramids. Santiago becomes convinced that these dreams are prophetic. As a result, he travels to Romani. He meets a gypsy who convinces Santiago that there is indeed a treasure to be sought from the majestic Pyramids, and therefore persuades him to go to Egypt. At the start of his journey, Santiago encounters Melchizedek, the King of Salem who convinces him to pursue his deepest desires, or Personal Legend. Spurred on by the old King, Santiago abandons the comforts associated with his shepherd’s life, and continues forward to Egypt. Santiago’s journey takes him from Spain into Tangiers, encountering many obstacles along the way. During the course of his travels he meets Fatima, an exotic Arabian woman who encourages Santiago to follow his heart. Santiago’s meeting with a mysterious Alchemist heightens the climax of The Alchemist. He tries to make Santiago understand that most people are only concerned with the treasure associated with their personal legends and not with the actual legend itself. As Santiago’s journey finally brings him to the treasure, it is the people he encounters, the things he sees, and the wisdom he acquires, that makes him realize the importance of pursuing his destiny. The Alchemist will help readers experience a self realizing moment. They will discover that fear, discouragement, attachment, and guilt prevents many individuals from following one’s path, or Personal Legend. Since the book’s publication in 1988, it has become an international bestseller. The book has sold over 30 million copies, and was translated into 56 languages. The Alchemist won the Guinness World Record title for most translated book by an author. About Paulo Coelho Paulo Coelho is an author and songwriter, who hails from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. He has authored over thirty books. Some of these titles are Brida, The Fifth Mountain, The Zahir, Aleph, The Valkyries, Eleven Minutes, Veronika Decides to Die, and The Pilgrimage. Coelho was born in 1947 in Rio de Janeiro. Before becoming a full time writer, Coelho led a colourful life. In the 1960s, he dropped out of law school, and became a vagabond hippie. After he returned to Brazil, Coelho pursued songwriting, acting, journalism, and theatre directing. Since childhood, Coelho felt his calling was to become a writer, and eventually he left his lucrative song writing career to pursue writing. Paulo Coelho’s literary contributions have earned him the Legion d’honneur from France, and the Crystal Award from the World Economic Forum. In 2007, he was elected as Messenger of Peace by the United Nations. Coelho currently resides Brazil with his wife Christina.