The Alchemist Video Summary
Visit us at www.gradesaver.com/the-alchem... to read the full video transcript and our study guide for this novel, which includes a full list of characters, themes, and much more.
The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, is a story about a young shepherd named Santiago who is able to find a treasure beyond his wildest dreams and feelings of self-doubt. In this fable, the author uses magical realism to portray Santiago’s physical and spiritual journey, as he learns to listen to his heart and realizes that his aspirations belong not only to him but to the universe as well.
Living in Andalusia, Spain, Santiago is a humble shepherd who wants only to roam with his sheep, enjoy wine, and read a good book. Fate intervenes, however, in the form of a recurring dream about a great treasure hidden at the base of the Egyptian Pyramids.
Santiago meets Melchizedek, a strange wise man and king from a far-off land. Melchizedek appears to those who are seeking their Personal Legend, or deepest life-long goal. This ambition comes from the Soul of the World which conspires to help everyone reach their deepest desire. Unfortunately, fear and routine often get in the way.
Soon, Santiago decides to sell his flock and seek his treasure. Melchizedek gives Santiago two stones, a black stone called Urim, meaning "yes," and a white stone called Thummim, meaning "no.” Santiago is to consult these if he cannot understand the omens. He sets sail for Africa to seek his treasure and “Personal Legend.”
Santiago’s first day in Tangiers, Morocco, he is robbed and left completely alone. Unable to speak a single word of Arabic, Santiago contemplates giving up and turning around. But he remembers the words of the wise man and carries on. Eventually, he finds work at a crystal shop for one year, where he
earns enough money to buy a new flock of sheep and return home. Instead, he joins a caravan crossing the desert to Egypt, thus moving closer to his dream.
On the caravan, Santiago meets an Englishman who has come all the way to Africa to seek a renowned alchemist. His new travel companion carries two stones just like Santiago’s and believes it is not accidental that the two of them have met. Santiago finds the Englishman's ideas to be similar to Melchizedek's. They both speak of a Soul of the World to which we are all connected. The Englishman also reveals that the goal of alchemy is the “Master Work,” which includes a liquid called the Elixir of Life and a solid called the Philosopher’s Stone.
When they finally arrive at the Al-Fayoum oasis-the home of the titular Alchemist-Santiago meets a beautiful girl named Fatima with whom he immediately falls in love. He soon discovers that love, like the Personal Legend, comes directly from the Soul of the World.
While walking in the desert, Santiago has a vision of an upcoming battle. He rushes back to warn the elders at the oasis. The next day, 500 armed tribesmen enter the oasis as Santiago has predicted. The men, duly warned, kill all of the intruders. The chieftain of the oasis awards Santiago 50 pieces of gold and offers him a position as a counselor.
Santiago considers staying at the oasis with his new-found love Fatima, instead of seeking the Pyramids. Fatima, however, tells Santiago that she understands his need to realize his goal. The women of the desert, she explains, are proud of their men's freedom. This confuses Santiago, who is unable to separate love and possession.
The Alchemist finds Santiago and tells him that he will lead him to his treasure. While on the move, the Alchemist teaches Santiago that hearts can be treacherous, but the best way to keep them from fooling you is to listen to them intently; one must listen to the Soul of the world to find one’s treasure. Everything on earth, even minerals, has a Personal Legend. This is why alchemists can change any metal into gold: they are simply helping the metal achieve its Personal Legend.
When the two travelers are taken prisoner by a warring tribe, the Alchemist-in an effort to save their lives--claims that Santiago is a magician who can turn himself into wind. Santiago has no idea what he is doing, but eventually starts to pray with acknowledgement that his heart and the Soul of the World are one. Immediately, the wind whips up, and Santiago disappears and reappears on the other side of the camp. The tribal chiefs are so impressed that they let the travelers go.
The next day, the men arrive at a monastery. The Alchemist uses his piece of the Philosopher's Stone to turn lead into a quantity of gold and gives some to Santiago and some to a monk. Santiago continues on to the Pyramids alone. There he is overwhelmed with joy realizing he can turn back now-that the real treasure is not gold or jewels, but the wisdom he has gained from his journey and his love for Fatima.
His heart tells him to dig in a spot where he sees a scarab beetle.
Пікірлер: 155
The piece of wisdom that stuck out for me at this point of my life was the alchemists answer to the fear of suffering while pursuing your legend - “the fear of suffering is far worse than the suffering itself”… for so long I’d been afraid to start the journey of going after what I wanted because of the fear of losing my job or possessions I’d worked so hard to obtain… I felt like I’d rather just remain living a mediocre life like the merchant… but I don’t want too. No we don’t know what’s ahead and the stumbling blocks we might hit. It’s different for us all but we always end up coming out on top.
@e-ben616
Жыл бұрын
The book is filled with many such lines. But this has stuck with me for many years.
@bmj927
Жыл бұрын
I've just literally finished the book. Maktub that I came to this comment.
@goseemekah
5 ай бұрын
Beautifully said
@youresoold1216
4 ай бұрын
It is a curse when you don’t recognize the omens
@pujithkumarg8857
3 ай бұрын
amazing line
Finished the whole thing in one day. Loved it. All the simple things in life.
@janreyigros4973
3 жыл бұрын
WOW .speed reader
@alantisgreen7011
3 жыл бұрын
It's 117 pages you can finish in 2 hours
@shibhily6340
3 жыл бұрын
Legend
@harry9238
3 жыл бұрын
Me too. I completed it today. In around 6-7 hours.
@user-ef2ki9kl1u
2 жыл бұрын
I just spent 5 hours and i was done with the book..... rest of the day i spent in thinking about the book's lesson.
Why do we have to listen to our hearts?" the boy asked. "Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you will find your treasure.
@TheSevda
9 күн бұрын
This is actually from the Bible, cool
The last part really touched me. He was beaten but he never gave up. Like in real life, we can be in pain, hurt , rejected and unloved, we should not give up for our dreams. We fight!!❤❤❤
Literally, I just finished reading this book around 6am on September 5, 2020, and I WANTED MORE!!! This book just spoke to my heart, mind and soul........and I even got teary-eyed (happy tears) for certain words of wisdom that resonated with me so deeply. Absolutely FANTASTIC BOOK, and a GREAT VIDEO SUMMARY. I LOVE IT!!!!
@jakegregory6477
3 жыл бұрын
You should read Siddartha by hermann Hesse it’s very similar
@levana4418
3 жыл бұрын
aaaaa u read it on my birthday lmao
@POKETBOOKS
2 жыл бұрын
Nice thought s throughout book.
@HotChocolate2070
2 жыл бұрын
ikr ! i loved the part where Santiago "becomes the wind"
@joegogan7709
Жыл бұрын
I found it goofy
This book is timeless. Seeking one's legend these days, people think it's about riches and fame. But there is something deeper in life. The soul of the world connects us all to the dream of the world. Every time I listen to the story, I learn something new.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I just finished reading this book like 30 minutes ago. I cried at certain parts. And I never cry.
This book was given to me as a gift when I was in Hong Kong, where I ended up living for five years. Initially, I thought I would only stay for a few months, just before the handover from England back to China in 1997. I was a young Brit with a dream of finding my way, enthusiastic and excited to follow my dreams. Eventually, I moved to Japan, where I have now lived for over 23 years. Ten years ago, I began to feel that the treasure I had been seeking was back in my home country of England. At that time, I was a struggling English teacher in Japan, married to a Japanese woman, and felt my dream of returning was impossible. Despite having been given "The Alchemist" many years before, I hadn't read it yet. I picked it up a few times, urged by my intuition, but procrastinated due to my dyslexia. Now, at 50, I finally read the book and found my answers. I run my own online business and quit my English teaching job over a year ago. I am now quite stable, more than enough to support my return to the UK. After a divorce in 2017, I am in a perfect situation to return since I work 100% online. However, being 50 and more conservative, I find it harder. What holds me back isn't the practicalities, as I have the freedom and am now single. It's something inside me. My next big move is to go back to the very roots of where I belong. I've had an amazing life so far, but I need to muster the courage to make the big move back to the UK. My heart tells me to do it, but my brain reminds me that I don't know the UK like I used to, having spent most of my adult life in Asia. It's comfortable in Japan, but the UK is my home and my treasure. The message I want to share is to love your roots and be grateful. If it means traveling the world to realise how special your homeland is, then do it. Had I stayed in the UK all this time and never gone to Hong Kong, I wouldn't have found my treasure and wouldn't be in the financial situation I am in today. The journey gave me drive and perspective. "The Alchemist" is giving me all the answers.
No disrespect to this summary of the book but you have to read the story to actually feel it’s impact
It's just looks like a simple story but the journey and the conversation gives more than an advice.
This book has always been so magical to me that every single time I read its pages, I end it in 2 days.
SUCH A GREAT BOOK!!! 10/10 AMAZING. Literally brought tears to my eyes, I didn't wan't the book to end. 😢🔥
This is my favorite book of all time, I just finished it and glad I did. Definitely gave me better perspective about my own life and the wisdom, experience, and people you will meet and potentially will never see again ever while you pursue into your journeys in life. That’s just for starters 2023
This book hits differently when your name is Fatima..😂❤
@Luxurylivingdubai-w1h
2 жыл бұрын
😂😂😂😂😂😂
@mdadnan1630
2 жыл бұрын
😂😂😂
@abdulraheem5292
Жыл бұрын
😁
@blazingstar9638
Жыл бұрын
😂🏆
@sabrinax4575
Жыл бұрын
Lucky girl
I just finished reading the book, and it’s definitely worth reading! The book is full of wisdom and emotion, and it even changed my perspective of the world!! Great Video Summary, btw! I really enjoyed watching it :D Started reading book at the age 13; 7th February 2021 Finished reading it: 9th February 2021
"What you seek is seeking you" ~ Rumi
@yesubabub7918
Жыл бұрын
Wow, what a line
Melchizedek is a mysterious character in the Bible that translates to ‘king of righteousness’ in Hebrew. I wish I had known that when I read this book years ago. Melchizedek met Abraham while he was traveling and Abraham gave him a tenth of all his animals. That is the biblical beginnings of the custom of tithing. He was both king and priest and was connected to Jerusalem as well. Fascinating. I may have to read this book again.
@melaniefuentes7429
Ай бұрын
Wowowowowowowow
For all those who are coming here without reading the whole book please read first. It's really something we must know. And most importantly one should know about the direction in which he or she should run the life. And you will find beautiful learnings throughout the book. It's worth reading then come and watch the summary!
@Obito.Uchiha07
Жыл бұрын
Hey Can you please suggest me some more awesome books
@md.mirkashem6596
7 ай бұрын
My thought exactly. 🍀
this man deserves the name "gradesaver" , you saved me and earned my sub
I just finished reading it. Many words of wisdom that i knew , i just didn't know they were from this book. :)) I read his book Maktub when I was a teenager or in middle school in the 90s. It was very short and extremely powerful . I remember that it had all these wisdom teachings like fables and I went back and reread the book probably 4 times. When I got it in my hands it was like glue. i couldn't put it down because all those stories were fascinating. Now I can't find it. I remember it was 54 pages only so i would read it in a a couple of hours. I want to read it ago now after 20+ years.
Just finished reading. I knew it! That was his personal legend.
It's nice how each time he gets his way out.
Read this book in one sitting over a 5hr period. incredible book
Thank you. I've been.. And still am on the journey... And it has been the best adventure...
Gradesaver has a KZread channel 😮😮😮I've been reading in the website for years❣️
excellent narration
I remember reading it so long ago, I loved itttt
@miss8306
2 жыл бұрын
El Búho!
I just finished the book because of a summer assignment and I’m so glad I had to read it! It’s really good I really recommend it!
THANK YOU
Thank you very much.Im supposed to retell this book tomorrow,but didnt have time to read it fully.This really helped,and the animation is the best.
@needlessyew
6 ай бұрын
if you still havent read the book, it is highly recommended that you find the time to do so. Guaranteed you wont regret it.
Amazing story
finished twice and looking to read it again and again ✌️
My favorite book must of read it twice each year since I was 15
Thank you
wow well told! great book and one of the deepest lessons we learn
@skcpeezy9282
3 жыл бұрын
which is
@thabang2832
3 жыл бұрын
I learned that no treasure is worth more than life, your life.
I'm in love with this book
This was great! Thank you so much!
This is one rereadable book
Just finished reading this book.
In The Alchemist, the idea of a Personal Legend is vital to the plot, because it's what helps to keep Santiago moving throughout the story. We learn that a Personal Legend is a destiny that propels people toward what the universe thinks is best for them, and that to ignore it could lead to ruin. 🕊️
i read the book, istg it's so good ! y'all gotta read it. The story is so amazing ! and there's a big twist in the end-
This is the only book I’ve read, and finished in 1 day
@Yxkenzor
10 ай бұрын
Same , it's so interesting
As a man with the name Santiago, I see this as an absolute win.
@hisqueen1441
8 ай бұрын
You should meet fatima from the top comment
Just finished the Book 📖 ( Interesting ) !!
I just read this book… And to be honest, I didn’t really like it that much. The way it was written was hard to follow well, and it was overly spiritual for my taste. But it wasn’t a bad book, just not my sort of thing. I’m actually someone that does follow my heart and my dreams, so maybe it was already quite obvious to me, but for those who are afraid to follow their dreams, don’t be! The journey is an amazing one 😊
@nazurahaziz1424
Жыл бұрын
This book bores me…
@iskander07
Жыл бұрын
I read it and I didn't learn anything new except the author playing with fake philosophy
"I hope you realize that this is not the practice run, this is not the preview. This is it. There is nothing to do but leap. There is nothing to do but allow yourself to exist as boldly and honestly as you can."
Best book ever written
Finished the book and realised how foolishly I’m leading my life
i'm only halfway in the book and i have to finish by tmr, but i'm too lazy, so i just watched the summary and the ending caught me off guard.
@aaronsamano369
3 жыл бұрын
So did u pass?
@jacobangers
3 жыл бұрын
Same this book bores me too much to finsish
@betzan05
3 жыл бұрын
Aaron Sámano shoot sorry I never responded I never noticed but the assignment was pretty short and yes I passed, but If you’re doing a bigger project it’s much better to actually read the whole book and I know that if I got a harder assignment I wouldn’t have passed but yaaa
@betzan05
3 жыл бұрын
Jacoby Bryant same :/ it isn’t the most boring book, but it isn’t that interesting either. I did not like the ending and the story in general. The ending gave such a 😐 moment
@aaronsamano369
3 жыл бұрын
betsy oof lol no worrries I passed it by just watching this vid 😌 💅
Ima use this to write my Essay caus I forgot what was in the Bock thx Man 👨
@sammyvillano9502
2 жыл бұрын
How’d the essay work out?
This is how I imagined
I just finished reading The Alchemist. That’s why I’m here
My 8 1/2 finished the book in 2 to 3 days.I didn’t realize it . Now I’m eager to read now😊
Middle part sounds like Harry Potter and the philosopher stone
@lailaasif7738
3 жыл бұрын
the idea of finding the philosopher stone has been around for years, way before harry potter.
@zaffiruddin6808
3 жыл бұрын
@@lailaasif7738 Interesting to know indeed. Thanks
In the book didn't he dig at the sycamore tree in the monastery?
Does anyone know who actually put the treasure there?
So the treasure is indeed the friends we made along the way.
I hve read this book but couldn't under it properly,thank alot
@Lala-nm3qr
3 жыл бұрын
Me 2 didn’t get it at some points
I’ve already graduated university and high school I am no sophomore but gosh I wish when I was in high school I read this book when I was a sophomore I was too busy having fun still making honor roll A+ so I mean obviously the book was unnecessary but now I’m intrigued and quite bored due to Cove -19 But I’ll be listening to it on audiobook 🎶🎵🎶 Everyone says it’s going to change my life I doubt it
@egidesimba
3 жыл бұрын
If this book does not change your perspective on life then you are not truly engaged and reading the words. It takes a certain level of depth to truly capture the message
@pong6377
3 жыл бұрын
@@egidesimba agreed, I just finished it and tbh I didn't feel that much change of perspective,probably because I didn't took in the wisdom (which the book is mostly comprised of imo) and I just read through the story because for me it felt slow and I just wanted to see Santiago's journey . I'm definitely gonna do a second reading to fully understand the things in the book because there's definitely a lot of good shit in there that I've missed .
People who have watched/ read FMA: “Amateurs.”
Reading now 16/11/2020
This book read me more than i read it
Recommend some similar books
Im as free as a butterfly
My class finnished it but I didn’t and I’m way behind
@jaydamcdonald5677
3 жыл бұрын
me
Whys this video so quiet. Im maxed out on my note 20 ultra and it sounds like a whisper
@Yxkenzor
10 ай бұрын
It isn't might be your devices problem
Sound is low
Kises on the wind😘
Wassup freshmen in college
Russ really paid homage🤔
Is it worth reading y’all?
@UniversalAnimeFreak
3 жыл бұрын
Yes , I implore you to read it your self. This video , yes while it does summary the story. It will not ever evoke the feelings you get from reading the book
@genia662
3 жыл бұрын
Yess! It really is :)
@zachvizion
2 жыл бұрын
Yes
@ashtirasoolmm9670
2 жыл бұрын
I totally recommend. 😁
@resmny9
2 жыл бұрын
Absolutely!
Who else is here because of the GOAT RUSS!!!!! @russdiemon
Write please
Fatima Diame
if the treasure is in spain,, then the treasure is Fatima Diame
Elixir = Chrism 🤔
The other day I read this book called "The Alchemist" and ended up making 💊 😢😢😢🚨🚨🚨
Roșcata vrei sa fii 👩❤️💋👨mea
@Yxkenzor
10 ай бұрын
Weirdo
i dont understand all the hype about this book
There is no wisdom here lol 😂 wtf why is everyone so shocked and in awe of this trash book? I really dont get it It is just such a badly written story
this book is mad dumb
I just finished it tonight, when the Boy starts speaking about his love for Earth 🥲🥰 that was my fav part