The Alchemist

Part 2: Initiation

The hero heads off on the adventure and enters the unknown. They will be tested many times during the adventure and may meet other mentors/receive help from others along the way. The tests will teach the hero much about themselves and the world around them. In the end, the hero will acquire a treasure/reward/value/skill that will make them better.

Part 3: Return

The hero is changed from their journey. The hero returns to their known land with what they have acquired from the journey. They share what they have learned/gained from their journey with others.

Book Stats

• First published in 1988, 25th Anniversary edition released in April 2014.
• 171 pages long
• Paperback edition costs $8.89 (please support your local bookstore)
• Audiobook costs $14.99 through Apple books (also available on Google Play and Audible)
• Ebooks are $11.99 – $9.99 through Apple books and on Kindle
• Also check out your local library for their hardback, ebook, and audiobook offerings.
• There is also a free audiobook with subtitles for *The Alchemist* available on YouTube.

The Alchemist follows these three main parts. I give a brief outline of the storyline below and how they fit these 3 parts of the hero’s journey.

Separation

The main character, Santiago, is a shepherd who has been caring for his flock for many years. He loves exploring the lands around him with his flock. He knows the best places to take his flock for green, thick grass, to be protected from bad weather, and to find water.

Santiago has a dream about a child coming to play with his flock and then whisking Santiago away to the Pyramids in Egypt. The child tells Santiago that if he goes to the Pyramids, he will find treasure. Santiago seeks the advice of a woman who interprets dreams. She encourages him to follow his dream and travel to the Pyramids.

After this, Santiago meets a king named Melchizedek, who encourages Santiago to pursue his personal legend and go to the pyramids. Melchizedek is the first mentor Santiago encounters. The king teaches Santiago how to follow the omens on his quest and gives him two stones to help him read the omens. The omens are there to guide Santiago and help him succeed. With this, Santiago leaves for Africa to seek his Personal Legend (aka what he is meant to do in life).

Initiation

Santiago arrives in Africa and discovers there are many differences. He doesn’t speak the language and is quickly accosted of all of his money obtained from the sale of his flock. Penniless and friendless in a foreign land, Santiago learns a new way forward.

Santiago meets a crystal merchant and helps him in his shop in exchange for payment. Santiago intends to earn enough money to buy sheep and return to his life as a shepherd. The crystal merchant and Santiago become friends and Santiago helps the merchant improve his shop and his business. Santiago discovers that the crystal merchant always wanted to travel to Mecca on a pilgrimage, but instead, spent all of his time selling crystal. The merchant kept telling himself he would go “someday” and now he’s too old to travel. Santiago is eventually encouraged to continue his journey to the pyramids after seeing how the merchant never realized his Personal Legend*.*

Santiago eventually meets another omen, an Englishman who is headed to Egypt. Both join a caravan headed through the desert. The journey through the desert ends up being one of the most challenging periods of Santiago’s trip. Santiago meets The Alchemist, another mentor who aides Santiago on his journey. Santiago’s trip through the desert also reveals to him what he is capable of and introduces him to an important piece of his Personal Legend, the woman he is destined to love.

Return

Since we already know that the third part of the Hero’s Journey is return, we know Santiago realizes his Personal Legend and obtains his treasure. I won’t tell you how and spoil the ending.

The first time I read this book was about 13 years ago. I was frustrated by the ending (which again, I won’t reveal), but overall enjoyed the story. I recently reread this book. I have a different perspective on the story now. I see the lessons Santiago learned along the way and focus more on the journey he took and less on him actually finding his treasure. I realize now that life isn’t about getting anywhere, but rather the voyage itself.

Santiago learns many, many lessons during his hero’s journey, more than I outlined here. This is a book that will encourage you to sit and take stock of your own life and the Hero’s Journeys you have chosen and not chosen to take. So many of Santiago’s lessons apply to our lives, no matter our Personal Legend. The Alchemist is a story that you can read again and again and come away with something new each time.

We will all hopefully choose to take many Hero’s Journeys in our lives. This book reminds us these times are for our growth.  They allow us to transform the lead in our life into gold.  I recommend you read this book, and return to it time and time again, to find new insights each time.