The Alchemist - Paul Coelho

“To realise one’s destiny is a person’s only obligation.” I have had people recommending this book to me for many years and for various reasons have just never got around to it until now. May I suggest that you do not put off indulging yourself in such a wonderful fable with such an entrancing message. To live ones destiny and to trust is the message that resonates so strongly.

We can all relate to being on life’s journey and wanting to stay where it's safe, not wanting to explore beyond the known for fear of the unknown. The fear that if we step beyond the boundaries we may lose what we have, that it is better not to wish for too much and just be content with what we have. The Alchemist is such a beautiful story of trusting our intuition and not settling for partial redemption of our dreams. “When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream,” said the Alchemist. Paul Coelho’s writing style is easy and enjoyable and my instant response at the end was to go and buy The Pilgrimage and The Devil and Miss Prym.

Review by Kathy McKenzie