Our book group choice for The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Here is the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found.
It is a story about following your dreams and listening to your heart. It tells the tale of Santiago, a young Andalusian shepherd who dreams of finding treasure at the pyramids of Egypt. He sells his sheep and sets off on a journey, meeting a variety of people along the way who teach him about the importance of following one’s personal legend.
Santiago’s journey is not without its challenges. He is robbed, lost in the desert, and even imprisoned. But through it all, he never gives up on his dream. He learns that the journey is just as important as the destination, and that the universe will always provide what he needs to achieve his goals.
In the end, Santiago finds his treasure at the pyramids. But more importantly, he finds himself. He has learned to listen to his heart and to follow his dreams. He has also learned that the world is a magical place, and that anything is possible if you believe in yourself.
Discussion Questions
- When he talked about the pilgrimage to Mecca, the crystal merchant argued that having a dream is more important than fulfilling it, which is what Santiago was trying to do. Do you agree with Santiago’s rationale or crystal merchant’s?
- Why did Santiago have to go through the dangers of tribal wars on the outskirts of the oasis in order to reach the pyramids?
- At the very end of the journey, why did the alchemist leave Santiago alone to complete it?
- Earlier in the story, the alchemist told Santiago “when you possess great treasures within you, and try to tell others of them, seldom are you believed.” At the end of the story, how did this simple lesson save Santiago’s life? How did it lead him back to the treasure he was looking for?
- What is a Personal Legend? How did Santiago come to understand his own Personal Legend?
- What are the benefits of following your Personal Legend? What are the challenges?
- What is the role of omens in The Alchemist? Do you believe in omens?
- What is the significance of the desert in The Alchemist?
- What is the relationship between Santiago and the alchemist? What do they teach each other?
- What is the meaning of the story of the two sons of Roman emperor Tiberius?
- What does it mean to “follow your heart”? How does Santiago do this?
- What is the importance of love in The Alchemist?
- What is the message of The Alchemist? How has it changed your own life?
- What are some of the challenges of following your Personal Legend? How can you overcome these challenges?