“And, when you want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”.

          These inspirational words itself is enough to describe the life of Paulo Coelho. Yes, he wanted to be a writer and the entire universe conspired in helping him to achieve it.

          He was born on August 24, 1947 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. He determined early on that he wanted to be writer but was discouraged by his parents, who saw no future in that profession in Brazil. Coelho’s rebellious adolescence spurred his parents to commit him to a mental asylum three times.

          Coelho eventually got out of institutional care and enrolled in law school, but dropped out to indulge in the “sex, drugs and 

rock ‘n’ roll” of hippie life in the 1970s.  

        He wrote song lyrics for Brazilian musicians protesting the country’s military rule. He was jailed three times for his political activism and subjected to torture in prison.

          In 1982 Coelho published his first book, Hell Archives, which failed to make a substantial impact. In 1986 he contributed to the practical Manual of Vampirism, although he later tried to take it off the shelves since he considered it “of bad quality”.

          After drifting among several professions, Coelho changed his life’s course while on a visit to Spain in 1986. Coelho walked more than 500 miles along the road to Santiago de Compostela, a site of Catholic pilgrimage. Through the walk and the spiritual awakening, 

he experienced en route, inspired him to write 'The Pilgrimage'.  He quit his other works and engaged himself fully to the craft of writing.

          In 1987, Coelho wrote a new book, The Alchemist. The allegorical novel was about an Andalusian shepherd boy who follows a mystical trek in which he learns to speak “the language of the world” and thus receives his heart’s desire. The book has sold roughly 35 million copies, and now is the most translated book in the world by any living author. 

          Coelho’s fans call his books inspiring and life changing. His critics dismiss his writing as New Age drivel, promoting a vague spirituality devoid of rigor. However, Coelho dismisses his naysayers’ critiques. “When I write a book for myself; the reaction is up to the reader,” he says. “It’s not my business whether people like 

or dislike it”.

          Picking up a novel by Paulo Coelho, one can easily recognize his simple, poetic style. Despite variations in how the stories are narrated, whether first person or third person, all of Coelho’s novels possess a similar philosophical feel to them; even through the conversations of the characters, it always seems that an insightful lesson is being conveyed through the straightforward sentences and dialogue.

          Coelho’s style conveys the message of each novel through very direct, uncomplicated sentences, honest dialogue and concise points made with fewest words possible.

          It is difficult to define the style in which Coelho writes; his delivery can only be described as poetic, the matter and structure of his sentences is deliberate and philosophical, and manner of conveying the actions and emotions of his characters is conversational and matter of fact. His lyrical style of writing is considered by many to be a universal language.

          About adopting a particular style of writing he says that “Don’t try to innovate storytelling. Tell a good story and it is magical. I see people trying to work so much in style, finding different ways to tell the same thing. It is like fashion. Style is the dress, but the dress does not dictate what is inside the dress. What counts is the person”. 

     He himself is an inspirational      

human being and his words are truly motivational. In 1996, Coelho founded the Paulo Coelho institute, which provides support to children and the elderly. He is married to Christina Oiticica, who is an artist.

          In total Coelho has published 30 books. Three of them- The pilgrimage, The Valkyries and Aleph are autobiographical, while the majority of the rest are fictional, although rooted in his life experiences.

          Brida, Like the Flowing River, Manual of The Warrior of Light, By River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept, The Zahir, Veronica Decides to die are some of his notable works. The Spy, which was published in 2016, was his latest book.

          Coelho is not only unique in his stories’ subject matter, but also his straightforward delivery.

          In his book The Alchemist, he said “No matter what he does, every person on earth plays a central role in the history of the world. And normally he doesn’t know it”. Yes, it is he who taught us that we all are here for a purpose. And what Paulo Coelho’s intention to be here was not just to write novels but to inspire people. And he inspired us too!!!