The Alchemist (Portuguese: O Alquimista) is a novel by Paulo Coelho published in 1988 and became a worldwide bestseller. Published in over 117 countries, translated into 81 languages, including High Valyrian. The novel is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the best-selling book in the history of Brazil and the most translated book in the world.The author began his research in the field of alchemy in the mid-seventies. But not seeing the results of his hard work and enthusiasm, he stopped research in 1973. In 1981, the author met a teacher who divided alchemists into three types: some who like ambiguity because they don't know their subject; others know it and understand that "the language of alchemy is aimed at the heart, not the mind"; still others don't know about chemistry, "but in their lifetime they managed to discover the Philosopher's Stone." About the second kind of alchemist and the story continuesThe main character of the book is the Andalusian shepherd Santiago. One day, he has a dream that calls him to visit the pyramids of Egypt and find the treasure hidden in them. A certain gypsy agrees to fulfill his dream in exchange for a tenth of the treasures found in the future. He meets the old man Melchizedek, king of Salem, who convinces him to go to Egypt and gives Santiago two stones, the Urim and the Thummim, which will help him overcome the trials, in exchange for a tenth of his cattle.The hero sells his sheep, sails to Africa, loses all his money. He works as an assistant to a crystal merchant and still goes to the pyramids with the money he earns. On his travels, he meets an Englishman who reveals the knowledge of alchemy, and then finds the Alchemist in the Al-Fayyum oasis. The Alchemist teaches him about the "Spirit of the World", talks about alchemy, and helps him follow the path of his destiny. He falls in love with Fatima and eventually finds a treasure, but not in Egypt, but in his native Spain, where fate has passed all the tests that fate has prepared for him.