Skip to content

The Alchemist
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Alchemist Paperback - 2005 - 1st Edition

by Paulo Coelho; Alan R. Clarke (Translator)


About this book

The Alchemist is a novel by Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho that tells the story of a young shepherd named Santiago who dreams of a treasure hidden in the Egyptian pyramids. The book follows Santiago's journey as he sets out to pursue this treasure, encountering a series of obstacles and learning valuable lessons along the way. Santiago meets various characters who guide him on his journey, including an alchemist who teaches him the secrets of the universe.The novel explores themes of destiny, personal legend, and the power of following one's dreams. 

First published in Portuguese by a small press in Brazil, the first print run of the Alchemist was 900 copies and did not sell out. After a year the publisher returned the rights to Coelho. Believing in his own destiny as a writer and the message of following your dreams portrayed in the book, Coehlo continued to search for publishing opportunities, and in 1993 HarperCollins published the first English translation of the book. It quickly became a best-seller, and since that publication The Alchemist has sold over 65 million copies worldwide and has been translated into over 80 languages, making it one of the bestselling books in history.

Summary

"My Heart Is Afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up at the moonless sky."Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams."Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. The Alchemist is such a book. With over a million and a half copies sold around the world, The Alchemist has already established itself as a modern classic, universally admired. Paulo Coelho's charming fable, now available in English for the first time, will enchant and inspire an even wider audience of readers for generations to come.The Alchemist is the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found. From his home in Spain he journeys to the markets of Tangiers and across the Egyptian desert to a fateful encounter with the alchemist.The story of the treasures Santiago finds along the way teaches us, as only a few stories have done, about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, above all, following our dreams.

From the publisher

Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. The Alchemist is such a book. With over two million copies sold in English and twenty-one million copies worldwide, The Alchemist has established itself as a modern classic that will enchant and inspire readers for generations to come.

First Edition Identification

The first edition of The Alchemist was published as O Alquimista in Portuguese in 1988 by Editora Rocco Ltd, a small Brazilian publishing house. The first English-language edition, The Alchemist: A Fable about Following Your Dream, was published by HarperCollins in 1993. It had an initial print run of 2,000 copies, which include a full number line to 1, and 'FIRST EDITION' on the copyright page. 

Details

  • Title The Alchemist
  • Author Paulo Coelho; Alan R. Clarke (Translator)
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition number 1st
  • Edition 1
  • Pages 197
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher HarperLargePrint, New York
  • Date November 1, 2005
  • Large Print Yes
  • ISBN 9780060834838 / 0060834838
  • Weight 0.65 lbs (0.29 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 in (22.61 x 14.99 x 1.52 cm)
  • Reading level 910
  • Library of Congress subjects Large type books, Alchemists
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

The Alchemist
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Alchemist

by Paulo Coelho

  • Used
Condition
UsedGood
ISBN 13
9780060834838
ISBN 10
0060834838
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Lynden, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$9.73
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood. Book is in good condition and may contain underlining or highlighting and minimal wear. The book can also include library labels. May not contain miscellaneous items (toys, dvds, etc). We offer 100% money back guarantee and fast customer support.
Item Price
$9.73
FREE shipping to USA
The Alchemist
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Alchemist

by Paulo Coelho

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780060834838
ISBN 10
0060834838
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Kingwood, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$9.86
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Thorndike Press, 2005-12-15. paperback. Acceptable. 5x0x8.
Item Price
$9.86
FREE shipping to USA
The Alchemist
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Alchemist

by Paulo Coelho

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used: Good
Edition
1
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780060834838
ISBN 10
0060834838
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$20.05
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Thorndike Press, 2005-12-15. 1. paperback. Used: Good.
Item Price
$20.05
FREE shipping to USA
The Alchemist

The Alchemist

by Coelho, Paulo

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780060834838
ISBN 10
0060834838
Quantity Available
1
Seller
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$29.89
$10.81 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Paperback. Good.
Item Price
$29.89
$10.81 shipping to USA
The Alchemist
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Alchemist

by Paulo Coelho

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used:Good
Edition
1
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780060834838
ISBN 10
0060834838
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$27.54
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Thorndike Press, 2005-12-15. 1. paperback. Used:Good.
Item Price
$27.54
FREE shipping to USA
Thorndike Distribution - Large Print - The Alchemist (Thorndike Distribution - Large Print)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Thorndike Distribution - Large Print - The Alchemist (Thorndike Distribution - Large Print)

by Coelho, Paulo/ Clarke, Alan R.

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780060834838
ISBN 10
0060834838
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$50.85
$12.61 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Harpercollins, 2005. Paperback. New. large print edition. 197 pages. 8.75x5.75x0.75 inches.
Item Price
$50.85
$12.61 shipping to USA
The Alchemist
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Alchemist

by Paulo Coelho

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780060834838
ISBN 10
0060834838
Quantity Available
1
Seller
San Diego, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$66.75
$5.45 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Thorndike Press, 2005-12-15. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
Item Price
$66.75
$5.45 shipping to USA