This novel from HarperCollins is an English medium (अंग्रेज़ी माध्यम) book by Paulo Coelho, meant for readers of modern classics and inspirational fiction (प्रेरणादायक कथा-साहित्य). < cite index="150-1">Written by the Brazilian author and lyricist, it was first published in 1988 in Portuguese as O Alquimista and follows Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy driven by a recurring dream to travel to Egypt in search of treasure. Uncommonly for a shepherd, Santiago can read and loves both books and travel; the same dream about hidden treasure and the pyramids of Egypt comes to him every time he sleeps beneath a sycamore tree growing out of the ruins of a church. What follows is a journey of self-discovery, and the book's message about following one's dreams has moved a great many readers. < cite index="155-1">From his home in Spain he travels to the markets of Tangiers and from there into the Egyptian desert, where a fateful meeting with the alchemist awaits him — a story told in the author's blend of spirituality, magical realism and folklore. < cite index="147-1">Its own publishing history mirrors its theme. The first Portuguese print run was 900 copies and did not sell out; after a year the publisher returned the rights to Coelho, who kept believing in his own destiny as a writer and went on looking for a publisher. HarperCollins brought out the first English translation in 1993, it quickly became a bestseller, and the book has since sold over 65 million copies worldwide in more than 80 languages, making it one of the best-selling books in history. The whole book is written in English in the Roman script.
Key Features:
English medium book — complete content written in English (Roman script)
Written by Paulo Coelho, published in English by HarperCollins
Translated from the Portuguese original O Alquimista (1988)
Over 65 million copies sold; translated into more than 80 languages
Follows Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy, from Spain to the Egyptian desert
Central idea — the Personal Legend, and the courage required to pursue it
Themes of destiny, omens, love, fear and self-discovery
Written as a fable — short chapters, simple language, layered meaning
Blends spirituality, magical realism and folklore
Widely quoted and among the most gifted books in the world
Short enough to finish in a sitting or two, and often re-read
Accessible English suitable for non-native readers and students
A frequent choice for book clubs, school reading lists and first-time readers of fiction
One of the best-selling books in publishing history
This printing is marked as available exclusively in the Indian subcontinent
पाउलो कोएल्हो द्वारा लिखित 'The Alchemist' विश्व की सर्वाधिक बिकने वाली पुस्तकों में से एक है। मूल रूप से यह उपन्यास 1988 में पुर्तगाली भाषा में 'O Alquimista' नाम से प्रकाशित हुआ था, और 1993 में इसका पहला अंग्रेज़ी अनुवाद आया। यह कहानी है सैंटियागो नामक एक अंदालुसियन गड़रिये की, जिसे बार-बार एक ही सपना आता है — मिस्र के पिरामिडों के पास छिपे ख़ज़ाने का। उसी सपने के पीछे वह स्पेन से निकलकर तांजियर के बाज़ारों और फिर मिस्र के रेगिस्तान तक पहुँचता है, जहाँ उसकी मुलाक़ात 'अल्केमिस्ट' से होती है। यात्रा के दौरान वह ख़ज़ाने से कहीं अधिक अपने स्वयं को खोजता है। लेखक ने आध्यात्मिकता, जादुई यथार्थवाद और लोककथाओं के मेल से इसे एक ऐसी दृष्टांत-कथा (fable) का रूप दिया है जिसकी भाषा सरल है पर अर्थ गहरे। अब तक इसकी साढ़े छह करोड़ से अधिक प्रतियाँ बिक चुकी हैं और यह 80 से अधिक भाषाओं में अनूदित हो चुका है। ध्यान दें: यह संस्करण पूर्णतः अंग्रेज़ी भाषा एवं रोमन लिपि में है, हिन्दी में नहीं।
