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The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Paulo Coelho (Author), Jeremy Irons (Narrator), HarperAudio (Publisher)
4.6 out of 5 stars 168,422 ratings
#1 Best Seller in Metaphysical & Visionary Fiction
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.
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  1. Listening Length
    4 hours
  2. Author
    Paulo Coelho
  3. Narrator
    Jeremy Irons
  4. Audible release date
    December 26, 2004
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    HarperAudio
  7. ASIN
    B000BO2D3C
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length 4 hours
Author Paulo Coelho
Narrator Jeremy Irons
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date December 26, 2004
Publisher HarperAudio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B000BO2D3C
Best Sellers Rank

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
168,422 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book dangerously inspiring and appreciate its simple yet profound writing style, with one customer noting how it connects on many profound teachings. Moreover, the story reveals great adventures, with one review describing it as a beautiful fable about taking the risk of following one's dreams. Additionally, the characters are interesting, and customers consider it a great gift to give, particularly for young children. However, the pacing receives mixed reactions, with some finding it fast-paced while others find it boring, and customers disagree on the sentence length, with some appreciating the wise words while others find the writing overly preachy.

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Inspirational contentReadabilityAdventureCharacter developmentGift valuePacingSentence lengthAge range
2,541 customers mention "Inspirational content"2,445 positive96 negative

Customers find the book dangerously inspiring, describing it as a tale of mystic wisdom with a timeless message of self-discovery.

"...of a shepherd named Santiago, but beneath the surface is a deep exploration of purpose, intuition, and the quiet wisdom of the universe...." Read more

"...The story itself is pure magic: a timeless reminder to listen to your heart, chase your dreams, and trust the journey...." Read more

"...book has made me ponder how i can better live in the moment and achieve goals, no matter how small, sooner rather than later...." Read more

"...I loved it! It spoke to me spiritually. Thank you, Amazon customer service rep!" Read more

1,157 customers mention "Readability"1,020 positive137 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, appreciating its simple syntax and profound writing style, making it a decent quick read.

"...Santiago, but beneath the surface is a deep exploration of purpose, intuition, and the quiet wisdom of the universe...." Read more

"...Paulo Coelho’s writing is simple yet profound — every line feels like a hidden gem...." Read more

"...For the most part, I did like THE ALCHEMIST. I enjoyed the simple style of writing and the stripped-down nature of the tale...." Read more

"...It’s easy to see that the journey was a treasure as well. Great short read." Read more

399 customers mention "Adventure"296 positive103 negative

Customers enjoy the adventure in the book, describing it as an enchanting fable that reveals great adventures and helps readers chase their dreams, with one customer noting its many twists and turns.

"...is pure magic: a timeless reminder to listen to your heart, chase your dreams, and trust the journey...." Read more

"...And one more thing: while the twist at the end was clever, it disappointed me for two reasons: the first, for point I made above, but the second is..." Read more

"...You could. I attributed it to a boring story. There were no twists, no turns. Nothing interesting really at all...." Read more

"...characters that propel the protagonist towards a profound and satisfying ending...." Read more

77 customers mention "Character development"58 positive19 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them interesting and noting that the main character encounters various challenges throughout the story.

"...The characters also see quite tolerant of other religions and of foreigners...." Read more

"...He meets a cast of fascinating, fun characters who share their wisdom, experience, and misadventures with the young shepherd...." Read more

"...The syntax made it easier for me to follow the story and follow which character was speaking and what they where feeling or doing...." Read more

"...there are some minor flaws in the novel including a lack of character development and a lack of commentary/analysis of some of the worldly concepts..." Read more

70 customers mention "Gift value"70 positive0 negative

Customers find the book makes a great gift, particularly for young children.

"...and the pages have a beautiful quality feel to them, making it perfect for gifting or keeping in your personal collection...." Read more

"I really enjoyed this book. Great book to gift to a friend or significant other!" Read more

"...The perfect gift for every child and grandchild." Read more

"...If you're looking for a thoughtful and cherished present, "The Alchemist, 25th Anniversary" edition is undoubtedly a fantastic choice." Read more

256 customers mention "Pacing"146 positive110 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it fast-paced and others describing it as boring.

"The Alchemist isn't just a novel—it’s a quiet, powerful conversation between your dreams and your doubts...." Read more

"...It stretched credulity, reducing Nature to a kind of repertory theater. I will speak further on this scene in a second...." Read more

"...This book came into my life in perfect timing. And if you're considering reading the Alchemist, it's come to you in perfect timing as well." Read more

"...It kind of fell flat for me." Read more

150 customers mention "Sentence length"98 positive52 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the sentence length of the book, with some appreciating the wise words and amazing quotes throughout, while others find the writing overly preachy.

"The Alchemist isn't just a novel—it’s a quiet, powerful conversation between your dreams and your doubts...." Read more

"...a part in the story where it goes from page 35 to page 38 with very little dialogue, which I felt stopped progress of the story...." Read more

"...There were many lines worth highlighting and remembering, especially when one might need some motivation...." Read more

"...Her hands never touched me and her words remained kind, but her eyes clouded with anger. I fell back. I ran from the temple...." Read more

101 customers mention "Age range"64 positive37 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's age range, with some finding it great for all ages, while others note it is required reading for 8th grade.

"A simple coming-of-age parable which, by means of its straightforward style, achieves profundity. This book has been touted for years...." Read more

"A bit juvenile, but a good read nonetheless. A fun story about a boy seeking something he’s not sure of." Read more

"...This story is in many ways the typical passage of adolescence into adulthood ...." Read more

"...Also, it is certainly suitable for children. I am sure middle-schoolers and high-schooler could take to this...." Read more

A Life-Changing Story, Even More Beautiful in This Special Edition
5 out of 5 stars
A Life-Changing Story, Even More Beautiful in This Special Edition
The Alchemist is the rare type of book that grows with you — each time you read it, you discover new wisdom that feels handpicked for the season of life you’re in. This 25th Anniversary Edition makes the experience even more special. The cover is gorgeous, and the pages have a beautiful quality feel to them, making it perfect for gifting or keeping in your personal collection. The story itself is pure magic: a timeless reminder to listen to your heart, chase your dreams, and trust the journey. Paulo Coelho’s writing is simple yet profound — every line feels like a hidden gem. If you’ve never read The Alchemist, this edition is the one to start with. If you have, it’s absolutely worth adding to your shelf as a treasure you’ll revisit again and again.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • In Good Company
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must in your library
    Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    The Alchemist isn't just a novel—it’s a quiet, powerful conversation between your dreams and your doubts. Paulo Coelho weaves a deceptively simple tale of a shepherd named Santiago, but beneath the surface is a deep exploration of purpose, intuition, and the quiet wisdom of the universe.

    What makes this book magical isn’t just the setting or the language—it’s how it finds you wherever you are in life. Each time I return to it, a different line stays with me, like the book knows exactly what I need to hear.

    It’s not heavy with plot, but heavy with meaning. You feel it more than you read it. It reminds you that the journey really is the treasure, and that listening to your heart—even when it’s uncertain—is the first step to something extraordinary.

    A modern fable with ancient soul. If you’ve ever wondered whether your life has a deeper path, this book is a quiet nudge to go looking.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Jen
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite books
    Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    One of my most favorite books. It is translated to English from I believe Portuguese. Even so, it’s still a great story with several layers. An easy read. I think this would be a good book to read to let elementary school kids. They could follow along. But, there’s lots of life lessons in here and it’s still a great book for anyone above the ages 11 or 12. Much younger they may not follow along or have the attention span for it.
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  • Selcuk
    5.0 out of 5 stars Even better the second time
    Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I remember reading this book when I was in my late teens and it inspired me a lot. I never forget the part ‘of you follow your personal legend all the universe conspire to help you realize your dreams’
    Lately, after 30 years my friend needed some encouragement in order for him to pursue his dreams and I used the same verse.
    Than it got me to read it again, now with much life experience and it felt so much better this time.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Motivating, fun, easy read!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The Alchemist was quite short, but filled with inspiration. There were many lines worth highlighting and remembering, especially when one might need some motivation.

    The plot deals with a young boy who has a reoccurring dream about treasure near the pyramids in Egypt. He bravely embarks on a journey to seek this treasure, which ends up mainly being the journey itself.

    I hesitated in reading this book because I’ve known it to be very religious and spiritual, of which i am neither. Nevertheless, the book did not seem to promote a specific religion, with mentions of both Catholicism and Islam. The characters also see quite tolerant of other religions and of foreigners. Although it can sometimes come off as preachy, I appreciate that the book is not trying to necessarily indoctrinate the reader to either religion.

    Instead, it seems Coelho is mainly trying to inspire readers in following their dreams or life purpose. One of my favorite lines is, “When he’s an old man, he’s going to spend a month in Africa. He never realized that people are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.” This line he made me teary eyed, and grounded me in the present. In that moment, i sat back and thought about all the plans i have once i have more money, time off from work, a better schedule, after im done potentially raising a family one day, etc. Of course I’ve always known life is short and i could theoretically go on a plane tomorrow. Yet, i dont, even if i want to.

    The risks in following one’s dream can make taking that leap impractical. The Alchemist appears at times to be idealistic. It tries to address the practical concerns by having Santiago work for his funds, which takes almost a year, and facing life threatening situations. Still, there are much more factors in reality such as taking care of loved ones, maintaining a career, nourishment, etc. Other factors such as poverty and danger are not really addressed in the book in a way that would quell one’s fears.

    But, i understand this is merely a tale and not an instructional manual. Despite issues rooted in realism, the book has made me ponder how i can better live in the moment and achieve goals, no matter how small, sooner rather than later. Relatedly, the line, “people not need fear the unknown if they are capable of achieving what they need and want,” did help calm my uncertainty and criticisms. There may be many unanswered questions in how to attain my goals, but i know i am capable! :)

    Overall, this was a nice, uplifting read.
    9 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Danielle Katrina
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Life-Changing Story, Even More Beautiful in This Special Edition
    Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    The Alchemist is the rare type of book that grows with you — each time you read it, you discover new wisdom that feels handpicked for the season of life you’re in. This 25th Anniversary Edition makes the experience even more special. The cover is gorgeous, and the pages have a beautiful quality feel to them, making it perfect for gifting or keeping in your personal collection.
    The story itself is pure magic: a timeless reminder to listen to your heart, chase your dreams, and trust the journey. Paulo Coelho’s writing is simple yet profound — every line feels like a hidden gem.
    If you’ve never read The Alchemist, this edition is the one to start with. If you have, it’s absolutely worth adding to your shelf as a treasure you’ll revisit again and again.
    Customer image
    Danielle Katrina
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    A Life-Changing Story, Even More Beautiful in This Special Edition

    Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2025
    The Alchemist is the rare type of book that grows with you — each time you read it, you discover new wisdom that feels handpicked for the season of life you’re in. This 25th Anniversary Edition makes the experience even more special. The cover is gorgeous, and the pages have a beautiful quality feel to them, making it perfect for gifting or keeping in your personal collection.
    The story itself is pure magic: a timeless reminder to listen to your heart, chase your dreams, and trust the journey. Paulo Coelho’s writing is simple yet profound — every line feels like a hidden gem.
    If you’ve never read The Alchemist, this edition is the one to start with. If you have, it’s absolutely worth adding to your shelf as a treasure you’ll revisit again and again.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    6 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Ronnie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Searching for my Personal Legend
    Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    For some reason, an Amazon customer service rep asked if I read this book. I looked it up and then downloaded the kindle version. I loved it! It spoke to me spiritually. Thank you, Amazon customer service rep!
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Anonymous
    5.0 out of 5 stars Classic
    Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on June 3, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Classic novel
    Report
  • Carmen María Oca
    5.0 out of 5 stars El libro supera mis expectativas...Excelente calidad !
    Reviewed in Mexico on December 12, 2024
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Pedi el libro anoche a las 10 de la noche y lo recibo hoy por la mañana !!! Que hace AMAZON para dar un servicio impecable ? GRACIAS !!!
    Report
  • Manuel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Davvero consigliato!
    Reviewed in Italy on April 30, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Davvero consigliato come libro per entrare nel mindset giusto!
    Report
  • June Jane
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good looking book for a gift & highly praised
    Reviewed in Spain on June 9, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Bought as a gift - lovely quality book to keep
    Report
  • Janessa
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books a I’ve ever read
    Reviewed in Canada on May 17, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Such a beautiful cover. The details are perfect. I will read this book over & over again. Worth the money to have this book on your shelf. Arrived in immaculate condition with plastic protection.
    Report