“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho

Welcome to Beach House Center for Recovery’s Monthly Book Club! Each month, a member of our community recommends a book that inspired them, changed their life, helped a loved one through a tough time, or is simply too helpful to overlook. This month, Robert Lovett, one of our admissions counselors, recommends “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho.

What is the name of the book and who is the author?

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

How did you hear about the book?

A friend recommended it to me during a particularly rough patch of my life

Who is the book’s intended audience?

Anyone with a goal or passion or someone that feels lost without purpose

Is there a chapter or passage that is particularly meaningful to you? Can you briefly describe it?

Two quotes in particular always stood out to me when reading through:

• “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
• “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”

As I mentioned, I was going through a particularly rough patch when I read these passages and they inspired me to pull myself up and get better; if not for myself than for my family.

What do you think is the most effective pace to read or listen to the book? Small parts like a chapter a day, read the whole book in a few days, or doesn’t matter?

The story is told from a young man’s perspective and it is a story with wisdom interwoven. When I read it the first time I read the whole book in a few days so as to enjoy the story. Since then I’ve gone back and I’ll read it in segments so that I’m reading at a slower pace and absorbing more of the wisdom.

Why would you recommend it?

The story’s protagonist is very relatable in that he THINKS he knows exactly what he wants for his life but as it progresses he realizes how much of the world he was missing by staying put. Often times it is easy to grow complacent and the story invites us to reach outside our comfort zone and chase the adventures around us.

Is there anything else you would like to add to your review?

One character that stood out was a man wanting to become an alchemist (not the namesake of the book) and he is quoted as saying something to the effect of “It took me 10 years to start, but better 10 than 20.” It’s never too late for progress.

The Alchemist can be purchased on Amazon, if you’d like to purchase this book for you or a friend in recovery.