The Alchemist in 100+ Books in 2025

Feb 12, 2009 Dolly rated it really liked it

Shelves: egypt-egyptian, money, africa, spain-spanish-latinx-hispanic, relationships, books-for-living-end-of-your-life, 2014, religion-philosophy, arabic-arabia, greece-greek

I listened to this story narrated by Jeremy Irons and I thought it was a well-told, engaging story. I loved the philosophical undertones of the story, and the ending surprised me some. It reminded me of the picture books The Treasure by Uri Shulevitz and Saint Patrick and the Peddler by Margaret Hodges.

Overall, I really liked this book and I took the time to reread some of the more poignant passages in my paperback copy. I can understand why this is a popular book club choice.

This book was selec I listened to this story narrated by Jeremy Irons and I thought it was a well-told, engaging story. I loved the philosophical undertones of the story, and the ending surprised me some. It reminded me of the picture books The Treasure by Uri Shulevitz and Saint Patrick and the Peddler by Margaret Hodges.

Overall, I really liked this book and I took the time to reread some of the more poignant passages in my paperback copy. I can understand why this is a popular book club choice.

This book was selected as #70 out of 100 on the PBS - The Great American Read list.

interesting quotes (page numbers based on paperback book with ISBN 0061122416 / ISBN13 9780061122415:

"It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting, he thought, as he looked again at the position of the sun, and hurried his pace." (p. 11)

"I'm like everyone else - I see the world in terms of what I would like to see happen, not what actually does." (p. 40)

"...people need not fear the unknown if they are capable of achieving what they need and want.
'We are afraid of losing what we have, whether it’s our life or our possessions and property. But this fear evaporates when we understand that our life stories and the history of the world were written by the same hand.'" (p. 76)

"'That's the principle that governs all things,' he said. 'In alchemy, it's called the Soul of the World. When you want something with all your heart, that when you are closest to the Soul of the World. It's always a positive force.'" (p. 78)

"'When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream,' said the alchemist, echoing the words of the old king. The boy understood. Another person was there to help him toward his Personal Legend." (p. 114)

"'It' s not what enters men's mouths that's evil,' said the alchemist. 'It's what comes out of their mouths that is.'" (p. 115)

"Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure. You've got to find the treasure, so that everything you have learned along the way can make sense." (pp. 115-116)

"'If what one finds is made of pure matter, it will never spoil. And one can always come back. If what you had found was only a moment of light, like the explosion of a star, you would find nothing on your return.'
The man was speaking the language of alchemy. But the boy knew that he was referring to Fatima." (pp. 123-124)

"People are afraid to pursue their most important dreams, because they feel that they don't deserve them, or that they'll be unable to achieve them. We, their hearts, become fearful just thinking of loved ones who go away forever, or of moments that could have been good but weren't, or of treasures that might have been found but were forever hidden in the sands. Because, when these things happen, we suffer terribly." (p. 130)

"Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity." (p. 130)

"When I have been truly searching for my treasure, every day has been luminous, because I've known that every hour was a part of the dream that I would find it. When I have been truly searching for my treasure, I've discovered things along the way that I never would have seen had I not had the courage to try things that seemed impossible for a shepherd to achieve." (p. 130)

"When you possess great treasures within you, and try to tell others of them, seldom are you believed." (p. 134)

"Yes, that's what love is. It's what makes the game become the falcon, the falcon become man, and man, in his turn, the desert. It's what turns lead into gold, and makes the gold return to the earth." (p. 145)

"It's true; life really is generous to those who pursue their Personal Legend, the boy thought." (p. 166)

new word: sirocco, simum ...more

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