• The Alchemist

  • A Fable About Following Your Dream
  • By: Paulo Coelho
  • Narrated by: Jeremy Irons
  • Length: 4 hrs
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (81,059 ratings)

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The Alchemist  By  cover art

The Alchemist

By: Paulo Coelho
Narrated by: Jeremy Irons
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Editorial review


By Madeline Anthony, Audible Editor

THE STRANGE ALCHEMY OF THE ALCHEMIST, THE NOVEL TURNED SELF-DEV PHENOMENON

At its core, The Alchemist is a spiritual guide. Packed into the form of a short fable, it follows young Santiago, a shepherd boy who travels far and wide in hopes of finding his life’s treasures. Within the simplicity of the story, universal messages are able to unfold in profound ways, ringing true with a newfound sense of urgency—listen to your heart, follow your intuition, and have the courage to walk towards your dreams even when you are afraid of what might happen next.

Far from an expansive, ancient desert, I listened to this story for the first time on the beach. After hearing rave reviews of The Alchemist for several years from friends and acquaintances, I had decided to listen to the audiobook on a rare week off. It was Christmas, and for the first time in a long time, I was not with my family for the holidays. I was spending that lost week between Christmas and New Year's on a bed of white sand in the Hawaiian Islands, on something of an engagement-moon with my fiancé. It was all gorgeous—the sun, the purplish mountains in the distance, the giant sea turtles that gently floated in the water like kids on a perpetual vacation. Taken at face value, there should have been no worries in sight. But secretly, I was worried. In fact, I was extremely worried. I was living with a nagging feeling that I kept trying to push down, and that each time I did, would inevitably rise again. In the end, listening to a story about a young boy in Egypt helped me to tap into my own heart of hearts, inevitably realizing the truth—I did not want to marry this man, and in fact, I wouldn’t.

Continue reading Madeline's review >

Publisher's summary

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

Critic reviews

"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)

Featured Article: 55+ Quotes About Fear—of the Unknown, Change, Love, and More


Looking for a little confidence boost? These quotes about fear from some of literature’s greatest writers can help bolster your bravado. In moments of fear, it’s natural to turn to others—from loved ones to professional counsel—for comfort, encouragement, and advice. But sometimes, it’s most helpful to hear what people you’ve never met have written on the topic. These quotes offer a comprehensive, reassuring portrait of fear and ways to conquer it.

What listeners say about The Alchemist

Average customer ratings
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A must read/listen

Absolutely wonderful fable that touches one deeply as long as one listens to the depth of the story.

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Great Story

I really enjoyed this book. Jeremy Irons did a wonderful job with the narration of the story and the voices.

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One of the best fiction books I've ever read

If you could sum up The Alchemist in three words, what would they be?

Insightful, thought-provoking, relatable.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character, the boy, was definitely my favorite. I felt very similar to him. I have a strong desire to travel and often feel like I'm looking at the world through wide eyes. I was also moved by the words of the crystal merchant, who has grown too comfortable in his life to pursue his dreams, and I can feel the ease of slipping into that in my own life.

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Relevant

I don't know who you are or what you like to read, what feeds your soul. You will find what it is in this book!

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Jeremy Irons voice is perfect for this story

A classic story made wonderful with Jeremy Irons narration. A short book but beautifully bought to life by the narration.

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Amazing

Please don't over look this book . This is a definite life changer for anyone who is stuck at a fork in the road .

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original and new different aspect

very interesting story it's one of the few books who talks about the true God thank you

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One of the greatest stories ever!

Jeremy Irons brings this book to a whole new level. I already loved this book and have read it multiple times but when I saw that he read it, I knew I had to have it. I've played it on speaker while my kids and I have quiet time at home or on road trips. Its perfection!

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Top 5 of all time

From the narrative voice to the story line, this book is incredible. I have listened multiple times and get something new from it with each listen!

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A MUST READ!!!!

& Don’t just read once! Read it once a year; you’ll find your own growth within this book and that’s just remarkable to say about anything =)

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