> Which 1988 novel includes the sentence, "When you want something, all theuniverse conspires in helping you to achieve it"?And the answer: The Alchemist.Photo credit: GoodReads.comWritten by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist tells the story of anAndalusian shepherd boy, Santiago, who has a recurring dream about findingtreasure in the pyramids of Egypt. The book's overarching theme is about findingone's destiny.Originally published in Portuguese, The Alchemist is an allegorical story that(as Coelho puts it) draws from "one's soul." Along his journey, Santiago meets acast of characters that teach him various lessons about himself whileencouraging him to follow his dream. In many ways, The Alchemist draws on Coelho's own experiences. Born in Rio deJaneiro in 1947, Coelho spent his early days in Jesuit school. At age 17, theauthor began to rebel against the conventions of his Roman Catholic upbringingand was consequently committed to a psychiatric hospital. After escaping severaltimes, Coelho was released at age 20, and began life as somewhat of a hippie,traveling around South America, North Africa, Mexico and Europe. Coelho knew from a young age that he had a passion for writing, yet didn'tpursue the dream until much later in his life. He published his first book in1982, yet it wasn't until later in the decade that Coelho experienced his firstbreakthrough with The Alchemist. Apparently, the author decided one day: "If Isee a white feather today, that is a sign that God is giving me that I have towrite a new book." Seeing one in the window of a shop, he began writing thatvery day. Two weeks later, The Alchemist was complete.Learn more about Coelho's most popular novel below.