In The Alchemist, Francisca Castilho showcases her strengths as a writer and as a human being. She displays the heights to which humans can climb but often find themselves bound by certain necessities of life. At one point in the novel, she identifies these necessities as physical, mental, and emotional needs. While her descriptions of physical needs are vivid, sometimes outlandish, they are still necessary for humans to maintain a sense of personal gratification. Francisca’s descriptions of mental and emotional need are more subtle but no less powerful.
In The Alchemist, Castilho delves deeply into the nature of beauty and her search for it. Her careful attention to detail, from the intricacies of facial expressions to the minutiae of shoe styles, ensures that every image is meaningful and draws you into her world. As her descriptions build trust between the reader and herself, she encourages you to view things not just for their intrinsic beauty but also for their deeper meaning.
One of the most poignant moments in The Alchemist comes when the reader learns of the death of a lover who desired more sexual intimacy than she was able to supply. Her poignant words of inspiration are all too true. As the realization sinks in that love is about far more than physical satisfaction, she encourages us to remember the importance of heightening our experience to achieve the kind of happiness we desire. This advice has universal resonance, as happiness is about reaching our highest potential. It’s not about being tall but being tall with a broad smile on our faces.