The Alchemist is one of those books that changes everytime you come back to it. It stays with you and alters how you think about the world around you.
Great art does that. It doesn’t take away, it gives back. It unlocks the very soul inside you. By which I mean that Great Art inspires; makes you feel things. It’s the origin of the #influencer.
I’m going to be the nth person to suggest the Alchemist to you. Some weird rule of the universe says if you’ve got the vibe, your friends/acquaintances who see it are going to recommend the book. The story will keep coming back at you in your life. Kind of like a questline item that keeps popping up. Or from whispers in the tavern after a few meads. Maybe some encounter via very-average-self-entitled-blog post. Or just spotting it in the hands of a fellow commuter, barreling through the underground on the raucous A train, by the flickering light of the crowded morning car.
For some people, of course will have this be the first time they’ve heard of it.
My hypothesis is certain types of people get it more often. If you’re the sort to keep asking questions. If you have this nagging belief that there’s something out there. If you’re constantly curious but never satisfied. If you’re willing to be open. To be wrong. If you’re a Seeker. Consider this a worthy part of that journey.
The Alchemist works like an epic poem; it’s a fun adventure, spiraling through his massive quest at a gallop. But like any epic, the beauty is when this story is taken as a careful, intricate parable; describing now only how the boy undertakes the heroes journey, but how you can, will, and should too.
I don’t want to say more than that. This is a responsibility each individual must choose themselves. Once it starts, it continues until you will it to end, or when it ends.
I’m intrigued at what else I will garner from this book on different read throughs. Right now, I’m envisioning my backpacking trip, so the wanderlust really resonates with me. I like reading the boy’s reason to be a shepherd is because shepherds travel. I am, in my own life, currently at the glass crystal store, trying to polish the glasses and learning much from my mentor.
But I’m excited. I’m excited for the next step, as I save money and become more experienced; taking advantage of the time I still am here on the grind. I’ve got lots of irons in fires, and I’m willing to hammer creations out of sweat and metal.
I’m constantly striving. If nothing else, come follow me. I’m working on it, and I’m down to hold the lantern and lead the push into the unknown. Who knows what’s out there! Treasure! Scarabs! Traps or Bandits! I’m all in
It's a beautiful, inspiring, brilliant, and brief book. I highly encourage everyone who wants to read it, to read it. Savor it slowly, come back to it often. 5.00/5.00 [I have heard concerns from women that they may approach the book differently and find the flaws. Unsure how true it is in the general public, but offering the plausible counter opinion. It is a boy shepherd. Not many women characters.]
Cheers, Love,
Winston