Alchemist

by Coelho, Paulo

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.

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. 

Other Collectible or Notable Editions

Other collectible editions of The Alchemist include a signed limited edition published by Easton Press in 2007, which features leather binding and gilt edges. In 2014 HarperOne released a 25th Anniversary edition. 

Reviews

Review this book!

On Apr 22, 2012, wshaikh22 said
It is a very nice book and worth reading. It describes the struggle of a Sheppard and how successfully he achieved his dreams.

Available Copies

The Alchemist

The Alchemist

by COELHO, Paulo

Condition
Used - Fine
Published
1993
Binding
Softcover
ISBN 10
0062502174
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1
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Gloucester City, New Jersey, USA
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£401.50

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(New York): HarperSanFrancisco, 1993. Softcover. Fine. Uncorrected proof. Translated by Alan R. Clarke. Fine in French-folded wrappers, with Coelho's name misspelled on the cover. The initial print run was only 50,000 copies; remarkable, since the book would go on to reportedly sell 150 million copies worldwide.
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£401.50
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The Alchemist

by Paulo Coelho

Condition
Used - Good
Published
1993-05-28
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0062502174
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HOUSTON, Texas, USA
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£7.61

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HarperSanFrancisco, 1993-05-28. Hardcover. Good.
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The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream
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The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream

by Coelho, Paulo

Condition
As New
Jacket Condition
No Jacket
Published
2007
Binding
Hardcover
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Whitby, Ontario, CAN
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£309.96

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Description:
Norwalk, Connecticut: The Easton Press, 2007. Hardcover. As New/No Jacket. 8vo. SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR. Collector's Edition. Brown genuine leather boards with gilt decoration. Moire endpapers. A.E.G. Gold ribbon marker. x, 174 pp. Fine condition. Laid in are a note about the book and the author, two Easton Press ex libris bookplate stickers, and the Certificate of Authenticity… Read more about this item
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£309.96
The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel
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The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel

by Coelho, Paulo

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Edition
First edition
Published
2010
Binding
Hardcover, quarter brick cloth with gold boards
ISBN 10
0062024329
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1
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Bridgewater , Nova Scotia, CAN
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"The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel." by Paulo Coelho. [New York:] Harper One, [2010]. First edition. unpaginated. fully illustrated in colour. Hardcover, quarter brick cloth with gold boards (bottom corners worn, worn spot to top of back cover, top of spine split, interior clean & unmarked). dw., unclipped (top of spine has couple of short tears). Very good condition. Size: 8 5/8" x… Read more about this item
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The Alchemist: 25th Anniversary ~ SIGNED 25TH ANNIVERSARY

by Paulo Coelho

Condition
New
Jacket Condition
Not Issued
Edition
25th anniversary
Published
2014-04
Binding
Trade Paperback
ISBN 10
0062315005
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Daphne, Alabama, USA
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25th ANNIVERSARY EDITION SIGNED FIRST EDITION FIRST PRINTING Paperback: new. Personally signed by the author to the first front end page, a specially bound Publisher's signature page. Not a bookplate. First edition, first printing, full number line. Photos available upon request. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho continues to change the lives of its readers forever. With more than two million… Read more about this item
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£317.18
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The Alchemist : A Fable about Following Your Dream

by Coelho, Paulo

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Jacket Condition
Very Good+
Published
1993
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0062502174
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dallas, Texas, USA
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£23.29

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Description:
San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1993. Hardcover. Near Fine/Very Good+. Indicates 8th printing, but there is no price on the jacket, so may be a bookclub. Mimics the look of the original edition. Slight crimping to rear jacket panel.
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£23.29
The Alchemist

The Alchemist

by Coelho, Paulo

Condition
Used - Very Good+
Published
1998
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0062502182
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Vars, Ontario, CAN
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Harper Perennial. Very Good+. 1998. Paperback. 0062502182 . A Very Good+ Trade paperback with French Flaps. Pages are tightly bound, bright & unmarked. Moderate cover wear and rubbing. "This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and inspiring wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian… Read more about this item
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£11.19
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The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream

by Paulo Coelho

Condition
Used; Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0722532938
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HarperCollins. Paperback. Used; Good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there’s something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within… Read more about this item
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The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream

by Paulo Coelho

Condition
New
Edition
TENTH ANNIVERSARY ED
Published
2002-01-01
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0062502174
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1
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Leawood, Kansas, USA
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£44.34

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Harper One, 2002-01-01. TENTH ANNIVERSARY ED. Hardcover. New. 5th printing. A FINE Hardcover with a FINE dustjacket. AS NEW. All dustjackets wrapped in Archival protection, and delivery confirmation with all our orders!
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£44.34
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The Alchemist

by Paulo Coelho

Condition
Used
ISBN 10
0062502182
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1
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Morrinsville, NZL
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Published by Thorsons 1998. Soft Cover. Book Condition: Good. Clean interior. .
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£3.21
Alchemist

Alchemist

by Coelho, Paulo

Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0061233846
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GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
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Paperback. Very Good.
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£1.66
THE ALCHEMIST - 25th Anniversary Edition

THE ALCHEMIST - 25th Anniversary Edition

by Coelho, Paulo (translated by Alan R. Clarke)

Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
Later Printing
Published
2014
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0062315005
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1
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Burlington, Ontario, CAN
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Description:
New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 2014. Book. Very Good. Soft cover. Later Printing. 8vo. 182 pp. Trade paperback with French flaps. Lightly rubbed on the corners with a flat uncreased spine; previous owner's writing on the front endpaper. Santiago is an Andalusian shepherd boy who dreams of travelling the world in search of a worldly treasure as… Read more about this item
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The Alchemist (Anniversary Pocket Edition)
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The Alchemist (Anniversary Pocket Edition)

by Coelho, Paulo (tr. Alan R. Clarke)

Condition
Used - Near fine - slight yellowing on top edges.
Edition
1st thus
Published
2015
Binding
H/b
ISBN 10
0008144222
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Maidenhead, Berkshire, GBR
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London: HarperCollins, 2015. 1st thus. h/b. Near fine - slight yellowing on top edges.. 18mo (170 x 100 / 6_"" x 4""). A special 25th anniversary edition of the extraordinary international bestseller, including a new Foreword by Paulo Coelho. Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic,… Read more about this item
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£15.00
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The Alchemist

by Coelho, Paulo

Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
1st Harper Collins Edition
Published
2002
Binding
Soft cover
ISBN 10
0007155662
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east Sussex, Aberdeen, GBR
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London, United Kingdom: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. Paperback. Translated by Alan R. Clarke. A story that teaches us 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. 177pp. (We carry a wide selection of titles in The Arts, Theology, History, Politics, Social and Physical Sciences.… Read more about this item
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The Alchemist

by Coelho, Paulo

Condition
Used - Very Good
Published
2003-03-18
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0062502174
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Simi Valley, California, USA
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£722.70

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HarperSanFrancisco, 2003-03-18. Hardcover. Very Good. 0.7000 8.4000 5.2000. First thus. Inscribed and signed by the author in the prelims. Additional gift inscription in the prelims. Near fine in like jacket.
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£722.70
Alchemist, The

Alchemist, The

by Coelho, Paulo

Condition
Used - Good
Jacket Condition
Not Applicable
Edition
Reprint
Published
2014
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0062315005
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1
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Buttaba, New South Wales, AUS
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£3.40

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New York, USA: Harper Collins Publishers, 2014. Book. Good. Softcover with Flaps. Reprint. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Medium softcover with flaps, reprint, 188gms, 182 pages. This story, dazzling in its simplicity and wisdom, is about and Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure… Read more about this item
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The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream
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The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream

by Paulo Coelho

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Used
Published
2012
ISBN 10
0722532938
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Portsmouth, Hampshire, GBR
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£4.98

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Reprinted paperback edition with no creasing to spine and minimal wear to cover,appears unread.
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£4.98
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THE ALCHEMIST [30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION]

by PAULO COELHO

Condition
Brand New
Binding
Softcover
ISBN 10
0008283648
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1
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Fort Worth, Texas, USA
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£2.30

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HARPER COLLINS. Softcover. Brand New. We ship fast via USPS/FedEx/DHL/Aramex Express Services. No shipping to PO BOX, APO, FPO addresses. Kindly provide day time phone number in order to ensure smooth delivery. 100% Customer satisfaction guaranteed!" We use Fast Shipping via DHL/FEDEX/UPS
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£2.30
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The Alchemist

by Paulo Coelho

Condition
Used; Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0062502182
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Milton Keynes , Buckinghamshire, GBR
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HarperCollins,Australia. Paperback. Used; Good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there’s something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within… Read more about this item
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The Alchemist

The Alchemist

by Coelho, Paulo

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Edition
First US Edition Thus/8th Printing
Published
1993
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0062502174
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1
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Albany, California, USA
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£12.04

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Description:
New York: Harper Collins, 1993. First US Edition Thus/8th Printing. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. The 10th Anniversary Edition. In blue boards with gilt to type on spine. Bump to head of spine and wear to spine ends and bottom rear corner. Jacket is unclipped with light wear.
Item Price
£12.04