The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

 Detailed summary

The Alchemist a fascinating novel by Paulo Coelho, first published in 1988. It is a mystical fiction story of a shepherd named Santiago. He takes his herd of sheep across boundaries and explores new places. He sometimes sits along and wonder about his sheep and their behavior towards him, it was not difficult to understand that the sheep depended on him, they would wake up when he woke up, follow him everywhere. Sometimes, it made Santiago think about what kind of life these sheep led.

Santiago was a son of a priest, his father expected him to become a priest as well but, Santiago wasn’t convinced by this logic, he wanted to be a free bird, to travel the world and visit new places. The only profession which seemed legit to fulfill his dream was that of a shepherd, and so Santiago decided to be a shepherd.

Everything was going well for a year and so, until Santiago had this weird dream. He dreamt of a small boy playing with his sheep and later the boy took him to the pyramids of Egypt, where a treasure was hidden. Santiago struggled to interpret this dream so, he decided to visit an old lady in Tarifa, she was able to interpret dreams. After narrating the entire dream to the old lady, she asked Santiago to swear that he would give her 1/10^th of his treasure. At first Santiago found it funny and swore, but the lady told him to visit the pyramids of Egypt and there he would find that treasure.

Later that day Santiago sat peacefully on a bench near a plaza, reading his new book. Suddenly out of nowhere, an old man appeared next to him, he was trying to make small talk with Santiago. He called himself the king of Salem. Somehow, he convinced Santiago to realize his destiny, and that his destiny lied in searching the treasure. The old man’s speech was so convincing that Santiago was actually thinking of going to the pyramids of Egypt looking for the hidden treasure. But, everything in life has a price and if he wanted to know how to find the treasure, he will have to give 1/10^th of his flock to the old man.

The very next day Santiago sold all his sheep to of his friend in the town, and took 1/10^th of the flock to the old man, where he received directions from the old man. He asked Santiago to look for good omen, and that the omens will lead him in his journey further. That afternoon he boarded his ship to Africa.

The day he reached Africa, a young fellow fooled Santiago and robbed him. He was left without any money. He had no choice but to work at a crystal shop until he had enough money to move further to Egypt. For almost a month Santiago worked for the crystal merchant, he also came up with various ideas to increase the sale and those worked. He saved enough money to go further to Egypt.

Santiago started his journey toward Egypt with a caravan, amongst them was a wannabe alchemist, searching his master. Days passed and the routine continued, to travel during the day time and rest during the night. Until, one day the caravan reached a small village Al-Fayoum amid the dessert. Where he met Fatima, incredible young girl, Santiago had fallen for her the minute he saw her. The caravan was struck in this dessert because a battle was going on in the nearby dessert. That evening as Santiago was thinking about Fatima and his love for her, he saw something cynical in the sky, hawks were flying in such a way as if trying to warn about the army troop heading towards the village. He then warns the head of the village about the attack and these villagers prepared to defend themselves. This surprising vision of Santiago, gets him an invitation form the alchemist. He asks Santiago to accompany him on a trip through dessert to Egypt.

This trip teaches Santiago lot of meaningful lessons, the alchemist imparts his philosophy about the Soul of the World to him. Together these two overcome every challenge the dessert throws at them. One fine day, these two are caught by the tribesman, to free themselves the alchemist tells the men that Santiago is a strong alchemist an that he can turn into wind just in three days. This fact fascinated the tribesmen and they decide to give them three days to demonstrate this power. Santiago was in utter confusion, but on the third day he recalled all his learnings about the soul of the world and communicated with the wind, sun and earth to create a huge sandstorm, Santiago disappeared in that mist. All the tribesmen look this scene in awe. And finally, believed in what the alchemist said. They freed both of them.

The trip ends when Santiago reached the foot of the pyramids and starts digging there, but to his surprise there was nothing found, he sat in disappointment when a group of men pass by and ask him what he was up to. One of the men makes fun of Santiago saying that he had a similar dream that, there was treasure buried under an abandoned church somewhere in Spain. Santiago remembered the church and found the treasure there. He later will visit Al-Fayoum to marry Fatima.

This book teaches us to be brave enough to realize our own destiny to follow our dreams and fulfill our wishes, because it takes a lot of heart to follow our dreams.

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

 Oliver Twist, a classic novel by Charles Dickens which evolves around the character of an orphan child, Oliver Twist. The book beautifully describes the hardships which came along the way of poor Oliver.

Oliver was kept at an orphanage, where they would starve all the children, few fled, few were sold and Oliver was taken to work at an undertaker’s place, just when Oliver thought his hardships would end, he found out he was bullied.

One fine day, Oliver gathered all his courage and fled to London. Oliver was looking forward to take charge of his life, work hard and earn for his living, he had all his hopes on this city. But the city did not welcome Oliver the way he expected rather he was deluded into a mob of thieves. Even though Oliver was orphan but, this little kid was gold at heart, he didn’t want to steal anything but was forced to.

He failed in his very first pocket picking, and was taken home by Mr. Brownlow. Oliver wanted to serve Mr. Brownlow and wanted to live a life of pride but, was kidnaped again by those thieves. In his second attempt at robbery Oliver was badly injured, pitying the poor child Miss. Rose took care of him, little did Oliver knew Miss. Rose was his very own aunt.

In the later chapters of the book, a huge conspiracy unfolds itself, to everyone’s surprise Oliver’s half brother had planned all of this to keep him away from inheriting his father’s wealth. Oliver’s good nature and patience had finally paid him by reuniting him with his aunt and, Oliver was never an orphan again.

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Becoming, a heartfelt autobiography by the former first lady of United States. Even though it’s a book by an extraordinary person, I bet each and every woman can relate with her. Becoming is not just about becoming the first lady, it is about every role a woman plays in her life.

On a personal note, Becoming is the first inspiring book that I have read, every time this question strikes my mind that am I good enough? But, to my surprise even the first lady had this question cross her mind several times. While chasing our big dreams and trying to become what we have dreamt, we sometimes ignore what we have already become, growth is always happening it’s just us who forget to pay attention to it. After reading this book, I somehow realized that may be, I am good enough. Coming from a black background living in Chicago with her family, this girl amazes the readers in every way possible. An extraordinary thinker and most importantly courageous little girl turns into strong and determined woman.

This book inspires me in every way possible and taught me, to make a bold decision when it is time, to stand by our own principles, to sometimes stop for a minute and look around everything is changing and most importantly to chase that what our heart desires.

Her high school teacher once told her that she does not have that what it takes to get into any Ivy league, but her determination and hard work proved her teacher wrong, it was her brother’s wedding which she could not enjoy. Well, there is always something we all have to sacrifice in order to reach our goals. This is something that made me think am I good enough to sacrifice?

When she got into Princeton, she had to breakup with a sweet and perfect boyfriend. Yes, life gives you tough choices. Am I good enough to make the right decision?

She quit her job at a high-end law firm where she earned in 6 digits to work at mayor’s office, because that felt right. And I admire her for that.

The later part of the book puts light on her life with Barack Obama, even after becoming the first lady she tried to make her own individual identity apart from that of her husband’s, which will inspire the generations.

Michelle worked for various issues faced by the community like obesity in children, more plantation drives etc.

To put it in a nutshell, this book beautifully describes Michelle Obama’s journey from a young girl from Chicago to the first lady of the United States and this journey wasn’t easy.

 

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Animal farm a classic legend with a buried message, draws the reader’s attention the moment we start reading it.The book which changed the views of regime during World War II.

The story starts with a brief description of Manor farm and its residents, owned by a vicious farmer who would harass all the animals in every way possible. Getting sick of all the torture the animals started to become rebellious and then dawned the idea of taking over the Manor farm and turning it into Animal farm, as they say,” Animal farm is the farm for animals by the animals”.

The dawn period of this new democracy went very well, certain commandments were issued so that the law and order is maintained and no animal is lured to the wrong side. Every kind of work was divided considering the capabilities of every animal. The pigs specially were termed as the high IQ animals and were the ones using their brains in every way possible.

Soon animal farm gained publicity and every animal in the country side farm wished to be a part of this, folks of the animal farm were getting better by each passing day as they grew their own food, stored their food and consumed it equally.

But nothing lasts forever! And soon the pigs started considering themselves as the rulers, internal politics was heated up, the good animals were either dead, helpless or abandoned. The wise pig trying to help was accused of a crime and was chased out of the farm, slowly the health and happiness of the farm seemed to fade away, the commandments issued earlier were changed in convenience of the new president pig, anyone who tried to raise a voice against this cruelty was punished.

Soon, there was no difference left between the farmer earlier and the president later, and all the animals were again miserable.

The book encounters endless twists and turns, and as we move forward, we get engrossed in it. The author excellently presents to us his views on the political system in an indirect way.

My takeaway from this book is that nothing is impossible if we are brave enough to raise our voice against the wrong and try to change the circumstances, leaving behind the herd mentality.  

 

Anne Frank: The diary of a young girl.

The diary defines the strong and independent character of young girl, Anne. The victim of world war II, hiding in the Dutch province along with 7 others (family and friends).

The diary is being dated from June 1942 to August 1944, in this course of time we witness the growth of Anne both physically and emotionally. The book also shows the war through a teenager’s point of view. Although the book depicts the incidents of the war and the facts as well but the book mainly revolves around Anne’s life.

Like every other young adult, she had her own problems to deal with, say her unfulfilled expectations from her mother or ignorance from father or dealing with comments made by the other extended family etc.

The diary also describes the snags of living in hiding, not enough food supplies and sanitation problems etc. There were times when she would give up, but again manage to put herself together, smile at the problems and go on.

In spite of all the adverse situations Anne still inspires us with her different approach towards life, way ahead of her time.