THE ALCHEMIST

I just finished reading a book that I would recommend to readers of this blog. It is THE ALCHEMIST , written by Paulo Coelho. The book was originally published in 1988 in Brazil, and is a symbolic story that urges its readers to follow their dreams.

The copy I picked up from a catalog house that sells "remainders" is a beautifully bound book. The cover and it's companion slipcase are antiqued with a leather feel. It has a very good binding and a ribbon marker. This edition contains many beautiful watercolor illustrations. The book includes a separately printed note from the author, handsigned by him. Amazingly, I paid just a few bucks for the volume.

But aside from the aesthetics, the book is a very good read. It is a parable about a young boy attempting to find and complete his "Personal Legend". One of the most notable passages for me was when the boy speaks of "love without ownership"........... being able to love someone or something without having to possess the object of your affections.

Researching the book I found out that it has been translated into 56 languages and has sold more than 40 million copies in more than 150 countries, making it one of the best selling books of all time. Where the heck was I that I hadn't heard of it??

Paulo Coelho was born to a middle-class Brazilian family. The family was very upset when Paulo expressed a desire to be a writer rather than going into business ....... upset to the point that the family had him given electro-shock therapy to try to "cure him" of his passion for books and writing. Obviously, to our benefit, it didn't work!

In any event, try to pick up a copy. It will be worth your time and effort