The Alchemist - Podcast Shows - Bookish Discussion

The book tells the story of a shepherd named Santiago and his journey to find his personal treasure.
The foreword to "The Alchemist" recounts how the book was initially unsuccessful in Brazil, with only one copy sold in the first week. The original publisher canceled the contract, but Coelho never lost faith in the book. He believed it was a part of himself and that he had to share it with the world. Eventually, another publisher gave it a chance and through word of mouth, it started to sell. An American visitor to Brazil helped bring the book to the United States, where it gradually gained popularity. The book eventually became a bestseller and has been translated into more than eighty languages, making it the most translated book by a living author. According to the foreword, the core message of The Alchemist is that when you want something, the whole universe conspires to help you achieve it. Coelho believes that everyone is like Santiago the shepherd, on a quest to find their own treasure. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding one another’s stories as a way to build bridges between different cultures.
The prologue introduces the story of Narcissus, not as a figure obsessed with his own beauty, but as someone whose beauty was reflected in the lake where he drowned, this is a different take on the classic myth. The story begins with Santiago, a shepherd, arriving at an abandoned church with his flock. He has a recurring dream and feels a mysterious energy connecting him with his sheep. He talks to his sheep, sharing his thoughts and stories. Recently, he has been thinking about a merchant's daughter he met in a village.