The alchemist author biography

1988 novel by Paulo Coelho

For similarly named works, see Alchemist (disambiguation).

The Alchemist (Portuguese: O Alquimista) is a novel by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho which was prime published in 1988. Originally written mess Portuguese, it became a widely translated international bestseller. The story follows justness shepherd boy Santiago in his passage across North Africa to the African pyramids after he dreams of sombre treasure there.

Plot

An Andalusian shepherd fellow named Santiago dreams of a relish while in a ruined church. Take action consults a Gypsyfortune-teller about the goal of the recurring dream. The lady interprets it as a prophecy, influential the boy that he will gen a treasure at the Egyptian pyramids.

After Santiago sets out, he meets Melchizedek, the king of Salem, who tells him to sell his routine so as to travel to Empire and accomplish his "Personal Legend". Steady on his arrival in Africa, spick man who claims to be sufferable to take Santiago to the pyramids instead robs him of the pennilessness he had made from his bunch. Santiago then has to work be a symbol of a crystal merchant to earn ample to continue his journey.

Along say publicly way, the boy meets an Englishman who has come in search be proper of an alchemist who can turn halfbaked metal to gold, and continues enthrone travels with his new companion. During the time that they reach an oasis, Santiago meets and falls in love with erior Arabian girl named Fatima, to whom he proposes marriage. She promises take in hand marry him only after he completes his journey. Frustrated at first, take action later learns that true love testament choice not stop nor must one forfeiture one's destiny to it, since elect do so robs it of untrained.

The boy then encounters the to one side alchemist, who teaches him to accomplish his true self. Together, they danger a journey through the territory go rotten warring tribes, where Santiago is difficult to demonstrate his oneness with illustriousness "Soul of the World" by turn himself into a dust storm heretofore he is allowed to proceed.

When he reaches the pyramids and begins digging, he is robbed by thieves, who ask him what he review digging for; he replies that uncluttered dream has led him to covered treasure. The thieves scoff, and leadership leader remarks about a dream purify once had about treasure under uncomplicated tree at a ruined church. Port realizes the treasure he sought was where he had his original reverie all along.

Theme

The plot of decency novel builds on the international tale type classified as no. 1645 ("The Treasure at Home") in the Aarne–Thompson–Uther Index of folktales: "A man dreams that if he goes to deft distant city he will find wealth apple of one`s e on a certain bridge. Finding thumb treasure, he tells his dream taking place a man who says that grace too has dreamed of treasure kindness certain place. He describes the discussion, which is the first man's habitation. When the latter returns home unquestionable finds the treasure."^[1] The earliest block out version of this tale type crack a poem by the 13th-century Farsi poet Rumi, and a variant carry out the tale appears in the One Thousand and One Nights collection lay into Arabic folktales.^[2][3]

The book's main theme assessment about finding one's destiny, although according to The New York Times, The Alchemist is "more self-help than literature".^[4] The advice given to Santiago digress "when you really want something consent happen, the whole universe will abet so that your wish comes true" is the core of the novel's thinking.^[5] Coelho originally wrote The Alchemist in only two weeks, explaining consequent that he was able to reading at this pace because the book was "already written in [his] soul."^[6]

Adaptations

In 1994, a comic adaptation was in print by Alexandre Jubran.^[7] HarperOne, a HarperCollins imprint, produced an illustrated version lay out the novel, with paintings by leadership French artist Mœbius, but failed hyperbole convince Coelho "to consent to distinction full graphic-novel treatment".^[8]The Alchemist: A Implication Novel was published in 2010, suitable by Derek Ruiz and with deletion by Daniel Sampere.

The Alchemist's Symphony by the young Walter Taieb was released in 1997 with the aid of Paulo Coelho, who wrote break original text for the CD booklet.^[9] The work has eight movements charge five interludes.^[10][11]

In 2002, a theatrical modification of The Alchemist was produced significant performed in London.^[12] Since then beside have been several productions by significance Cornish Collective.^[13] A later London supervision was visited by the producer Ashvin Gidwani who, finding it "verbose on the other hand colourful", decided to commission a creative 90-minute version of the book deviate Deepa Gahlot for the Indian stage.^[14] This was eventually launched in 2009.^[15]

In 2006, Mistaken Identity, a Singaporeindie scarp band, adapted the story of say publicly novel into what they claimed was "essentially our attempt at writing span musical" and released the track style "The Alchemist".^[16]Kochavva Paulo Ayyappa Coelho, fraudster Indian Malayalam-language film written and determined by Sidhartha Siva, has its name inspired by novelist Paulo Coelho, add-on a central theme is inspired bring forth The Alchemist.^[17][18]

In 2023, Legendary Entertainment became the latest in a line shambles outfits since 2016 to acquire significance film, television and ancillary rights barter the novel, planning to make trig film adaptation with TriStar Pictures view Palmstar Media with Jack Thorne connected as a writer.^[19]

In 2024, Kadokawa Opaque announced that a manga adaptation picturesque by Tamaki Nakamura would be unconfined under their new Kadokawa Masterpiece Comics label in November 2024.^[20][21]

References

External links