> Skip to content
Paulo Coelho
Photo Credit: Xavier González

Paulo Coelho

Book for an event



Paulo Coelho’s life remains the primary source of inspiration for his books. He has flirted with death, escaped madness, dallied with drugs, withstood torture, experimented with magic and alchemy, studied philosophy and religion, read voraciously, lost and recovered his faith, and experienced the pain and pleasure of love. In searching for his own place in the world, he discovered answers for the challenges that everyone faces. He believes that, within ourselves, we have the necessary strength to find our own destiny.


His first novel, THE ALCHEMIST, has now sold more than 85 million copies and has been cited as an inspiration by people as diverse as Malala Yousafzai and Pharrell Williams.


Paulo Coelho’s books have sold more than 225 million copies worldwide and he is the most translated living author. He has won 115 international prizes and awards and in 2007 was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace.

More features

Article
Paulo Coelho on how he put himself in Mata Hari's shoes to write his newest novel

A conversation on writing, history, and more, with the author of The Spy.

penguin pop image
penguin pop image