The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

DEVI ITSNAINI NUR ANGGEANI (30802300045)

"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." This inspiring quote is one of the most interesting quotes from Paulo Coelho's philosophical novel, The Alchemist. This book explores themes of life, dreams, and spirituality through the journey of a young shepherd named Santiago. Through his story, readers are invited to reflect on the true meaning of a search in life.

Santiago is a young shepherd who repeatedly dreams of finding treasure near the Pyramids of Egypt. His journey is full of challenges, new encounters, and life lessons that help him understand the true meaning of a quest. The language used in this novel is not commonly used in everyday conversation, but that is precisely where its beauty lies. Each sentence gives readers room to interpret its meaning more deeply.

Through Santiago's experiences, Coelho conveys that every human being has what is called a "Personal Legend," which is our true purpose in life that whispers in our hearts and makes us wiser in understanding why we are alive in this world. However, humans often feel afraid and hesitant to pursue their dreams. I personally feel very connected to the message in this novel. Sometimes I also ask myself, "Can I do it?" "What if I fail?" This book seems to help me understand that doubt is part of the process, and that the courage to step out of our comfort zone is the first step towards big changes, just like what Santiago did when he left his peaceful life as a shepherd.

The most interesting thing about this book is the combination of life lessons and spiritual values. Coelho reminds us that when we believe in God, there is nothing to fear. Every difficulty has its own meaning, and even failure can be a path to bring us closer to our destiny. Another powerful message is that the fear of suffering is often worse than the suffering itself. The novel also emphasizes that God often gives us guidance through our conscience, but we often ignore it because of fear or anxiety.

Overall, The Alchemist is a book that is not only entertaining but also enlightening. The story is relatable to our lives, yet its meaning is profound and universal. In addition, this book has been translated into several languages, such as Indonesian, Portuguese, Arabic, American, etc. This book also holds the Guinness World Record as the most translated book by a living author. I highly recommend this book to teenagers and adults who are searching for direction in life, courage, and faith in destiny. This novel will make us realize that God and His creation, the universe, are always working silently to guide us toward the dreams that have been destined for us.