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The Alchemist

A Fable About Following Your Dream

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The Alchemist

Written by: Paulo Coelho
Narrated by: Jeremy Irons
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About this listen

Paulo Coelho's enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its simplicity and wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an Alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a meditation on the treasures found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is art eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.©1988 Paulo Coelho (P)2005 HarperCollins Publishers Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Middle East Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Feel-Good Dream Fantasy Magic Wisdom Classics Career Change New Age Spirituality

What the critics say

"The story has the comic charm, dramatic tension and psychological intensity of a fairy tale, but it's full of specific wisdom as well, about becoming self-empowered, overcoming depression, and believing in dreams." (Publishers Weekly)

"It is short, but certainly packs a wallop. What makes the story even better is Jeremy Irons's unforgettable narration.... Irons's voice is crystal clear, and every word is given its own starring role in the text. He creates wondrous characters, male and female, that stay with us." (AudioFile)

Editorial Review

The Alchemist tells the story of Santiago, a young shepherd who quests through the desert to find a treasure. He runs into many obstacles during his journey, but what if the treasure was inside him all along? Santiago learns important life lessons through his hurdles, and inspires listeners to follow their dreams and change their lives forever.

The Alchemist takes place in an indistinct period of the past, but clearly in a pre-modern era. The main plot is set in the Spanish pastures, the Spanish city of Tarifa, the city of Tangier in North Africa, and the Sahara Desert. The Alchemist has been translated into 67 languages and has won the Guinness World Record for the most translated book by a living author. Paulo Coelho has written over 25 titles in all and is one of the best-selling writers in the world. Besides The Alchemist, his other best sellers include Eleven Minutes and The Pilgrimage, which are also available for download on Audible.

Jeremy Irons narrates The Alchemist in a captivating, silky voice, with a flawless pacing that brings unexpected dimensions to Santiago’s journey. The award-winning film, television, and stage actor has narrated many other world-renowned audiobooks, such as Lolita and Brideshead Revisited.

The Alchemist was not an instantaneous international success, selling just 900 copies at first. Yet now with more than 85 million copies sold worldwide, it is one of the best-selling titles in history. The literature classic has won several international awards, including the 2004 Nielsen Gold Book Award for outstanding sales in the UK, and Germany’s 2002 Corine International Award for best fiction.

Featured Article: Best Audiobook Narrators for an Immersive Experience

Audiobooks have revolutionized the literary world, opening up classic books to a whole new generation of listeners. It isn't just as simple as committing a great story to tape and letting the tale do the rest, of course, it isn't. In this new and exciting world, an audiobook is only as good as its narrator. A bad voice can drag a good story down, while a great voice can lift good stories. Luckily for listeners across the world, there is no shortage of fantastic voices in the Audible library, filling classic and contemporary stories with character, charm and glee. These are the very best audiobook narrators going today.

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Unreal, great reading, great book! I have listened to it over and over again...A great way to reset and refocus when things need to slow down and be simplified!

unreal

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Loved it almost meditative! need to listen quite a few times to cement some ideas!

hitting replay again! best for driving!

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This book was recommended in another book I listened to "The 5 Second Rule" by Mel Robbins and I am so glad I tried it because the book is amazing. It kept me interested the whole time and the story was beautifully written. I could feel this book was special shortly after I started listening to it. I strongly recommend this book to be inspired, to appreciate life's journey and to simply be entertained #Audible1.

I Am So Glad I Listened To This Book

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This book took me through the dangerous "Highway From Hell" Coquilahla during a snow storm. I don't remember the drive, but I do remember the incredible story playing over my carplay. Paulo Coelho was touched and through him came this incredible story which felt as though I was privy to some unearthly spiritual text, it helped that the classical trained English actor Jeremy Irons was reading it. It is not a long story, but it is divine! I loved every minute of it! #Audible1

Life Changer

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I've been wanting to read this book for a long time considering i've read almost all other paulo coelho books. I was skeptical of audio books but i honestly love the narration. It really brings the book to life and it is great when you are on the bus or driving and you can really read a book. #Audible1

Great book with amazing narration

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this book, this story.

it's the tipping point, it's the push and the leap that many of us in life need, but sadly. most won't take.

Adventure and curiosity is the basis of this book.

Reader/Listener beware, it can change your life!!..


SO LISTEN TO IT!!!

Dangerous Book......It will have you quit your job

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a story that takes you on a journey of life, and from which you come out seeing things in a different perspective

do give it a read

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For those who believe! It was truly a beautiful story to read and listen to. It lets your imagination run wild. I would recommend this book. If anything it makes you wonder...

A great story!

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Nice short story. Narration was expressive and "animated". Even at 1.5x the speed, the words were coherent and narration was still easy to follow.

Great Story, clear narration

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THIS book is fantastic and it has changed me. I began listening to this book when things were not going my way. now I realize I am near the end where I can realize my own personal legend.

A Dream Fulfilled

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