By Paolo Coelho
What a book of self awareness. This is a masterfully crafted book of never giving up on your personal journey. This really is about remaining true to yourself and your dreams or goals, even when fate puts very large hurdles in your way. How else would a simple shepherd boy sell his flock and head to the pyramids in search of a treasure. He is faced with many hardships, but learns to listen to the omens and the world around him to further his dream.
Meet Santiago a shepherd in Spain, he is unusual in that he was studying to become a priest, but his dream was to travel and to see the world around him. His parents, gave him some money to help him buy his sheep and his journey began. He became adept at reading the signs of the hills to keep his flock safe and well fed. When he begins to have a recurring dream, he decides to seek help from a gypsy. She tells him that he is to go on a journey and find a treasure. Of course, he scoffs at this and does not believe her, but after meeting an old "king" and discussing the possibility, he decides to hint down the treasure. He sells his sheep and sets sail for Africa. After being robbed of all of his money and feeling deserted by the fates, he decides the only way to better his situation and survive would be to help himself. He begins to help an old crystal dealer. He learns about the crystal and befriends the old man that runs the shop. With his help the shop soon becomes a destination and thrives. Santiago knows that it is time for him to move on and joins up with a caravan heading to Egypt.
The rather large caravan is full of many different people. The boy meets an Englishman that is heading to the oasis in search of The Alchemist, a man that can make gold. Santiago reads of the wonders of alchemy and learns to love the desert. He continues to be open to the omens around him and to continue understand the language of the universe. He befriends a camel rider that lives in the moment and never takes anything for granted. He had been married and wealthy, but lost everything, now is happy and content where he is in the moment. he doesn't begrudge the past or fear the future but looks at the now as a blessing.
As the caravan approaches the oases, tribal tension mounts and war surrounds them. Tensions among the travelers escalates, as the sounds of their surroundings become ominous. When they finally reach their destination, they discover that the warring tribes have called a halt to the progression. It is safest to stay within the safe zone of the watering hole. The head chief, offers hospitality to the travelers, but they must relinquish their weapons and be willing to stay with residents of the oases. Santiago maintains his friendship with his traveling companions, and helps the Englishman find the Alchemist. He also meets the girl of his dreams, and falls in love. As the days of waiting stretch on, Santiago continues to look for omens and listen to the language of the universe. After saving the oases, he is offered the job of being a counselor to the Chieftains, but he knows that this is not his personal treasure, wealth yes, but not his ultimate goal. After some guidance from the alchemist, he becomes an apprentice, and he continues on his personal journey, into the desert.
As the Alchemist and his young apprentice move forward into the desert, Santiago learns to listen to his heart and to remain true to his intent. He does eventually move forward without the Alchemist, to the location of where his treasure is supposed to be, what he discovers is more than he even suspected. Treasures come in all different forms, some of them are very surprising. Sometime an unexpected journey with all of its hardships is the treasure that was needed.
This is definitely a worthwhile read. I loved all of the symbolism. This is a very interesting story, and really think that many upper middle school students would enjoy the tale. I do think that younger students would have difficulty accessing the nuances of the story, and the poetic nature of some of the passages. I am giving this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars, and strongly suggesting it for all students in seventh grade on up. This is a great book of self realization.
LInks
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