A Book & A Blog: The Alchemist

I've read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho a long time ago, the book was lent to me by my friend MK. I even remember impressing my Chemistry teacher for doing a The-Alchemist-Chemistry-related reaction paper. 

I can remember the moral of the book but not the story. So I think it is very apt for me to reread. 

By just reading the introduction, one can surely get encouraged reading the book right away. And I quote "reading The Alchemist was like getting up at dawn and seeing the sun rise while the rest of the world still slept." O, diba? Bongga! 

2014 have been a whirlwind to me, kaya introduction pa lang ng libro I felt like Coelho's talking to me, which is good because I can't sleep or nagiilusyon ako dahil umaga na at gising pa ang diwa ko. 

The Alchemist tells a story of a shepherd boy named Santiago

Not Amy Santiago of Brooklyn Nine-Nine

ANYWAY, initially, his parents wanted him to become a priest. He was in a seminary for awhile, but ever since all he wanted was to see the world and so to do that he became a shepherd.

Santiago had a dream (that occurred twice) which involves the Egyptian pyramid, a Child, and a Treasure that was interpreted by a Gypsy woman for Santiago to go to Egypt and look for that treasure. 

Santiago had a conversation with an old man named Melchizedek, who was said to be the King of Salem, about a book he was reading. The old man said that the book speak of the world's greatest lie. 

They began talking about the "Personal Legend", which I understood as one's life purpose. 

"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it." Can this book be more direct or what? 

After his encounter with the old man, Santiago began his journey. After arriving at Africa and meeting a one year setback, he continued his journey now with an Englishman, in search for a two-hundred year old Alchemist, at a caravan to Al-Fayoum. 

"The desert is a capricious lady, and sometimes she drives men crazy." Wala lang naalala ko lang yung "The law is a jealous mistress."

"Why do they make things so complicated?"

"So that those who have the responsibility for understanding can understand. Imagine if everyone went around transforming lead into gold. Gold would lose its value." 

On Santiago asking the Englishman why alchemy needs to be complicated. 

I love this line, relate kunyari. #idontdeservethem

The story ended with Santiago discovering his Personal Legend and with a hope that he will go back to the love of his life- Fatima.