i really dont know what the book means..

Its about finding your personal legend, something people will remember you by. It talks about not wanting to change to saying that love should never hold you back if not it wasn't true love. Its a really great book, but you need to do a lot of interpretation. The other theme is everything is everything, alchemy in the book is purifying your self therefore everything else becomes pure and turns lead into gold. It also talks about a listening to your heart not your mind, for it will show the true path. Its got some pretty deep stuff... I love the book I'm reading his other book the Valkyries...

I am sorry kuks, I can't help you with this. I have not read it. PLus the last time I read something was when we last saw each other. I better start reading eh? Anyways... Since I am fond of fables or other stories that seem to be impossible, I find it more interesting when I put myself in the hero or heroine's shoes. Putting myself into it. It's a time for me to forget about my life for a while and be someone and somewhere else. Remember the time we have our regular internalization of the telanovelas we watch. Its something like that. Like whenever we say "That character should of done this or that! If I was the character I would do this!" SOmething like that. NExt time you read a book, just go with it. Try to escape with your imagination. Words are just words but the reader is the one who puts meaning to those words that makes the story deeper and more relatable. Mwah!

Gosh gurl I know you know, I love Paulo's poetic lines and how most of the things he is saying in the book is biblical. He's just not quoting it, but it is biblical and it's not just about finding a gurl and treasure, I think it's really just symbolism and how life is promising with our Creator. I love the lil prince too, and I think they are sort of same, the lil prince is more of laymen's terms but the alchemist is more vast in meaning and wisdom and i sooo love the poetry! ^--^ ciao! read it again with heart! ^^

guess it's not as easy as a simple story of searching treasure.if so,the plot could be kinda simple and boring.It probably tells sth abt making differences and pursuit dream.attention these following scenes: 1the explainationg why santiago chose 2b a shepherd by himself 2at the plaza,the boy meet the king of selam(I fogort the word,correct me if wrong),he asked him 2 sold 1/10 of his sheep,this is a bible story"giving the king 1 tenth " 3when he was cheated in Africa,what he gonna do next 4when he works in the store,what he leanrt,what the boss told him 5what the Englishman said,what did he do at last? this book is not so easy,try 2 read it like a assistant of life but only astory

It is an old thread here but I post my opinion anyway. I reread the alchemist probably 20 times and it is my favorite book so far. Everytime I feel bad about my life or I don't know what I should do, I read the book again. It helps me to understand that everyone has a lot of different choices in his life and most people never take an opportunity because they are too scared what will happem. That's why I like this book so much. He always follows his dreams and doesn't regret his decisions afterwards or sees why he had to suffer before.