"I was doing something that gave me food and water – to use the metaphor in "The Alchemist", I was working, I had a person whom I loved, I had money, but I was not fulfilling my dream. My dream was, and still is, to be a writer."

At his parents' wishes, Coelho enrolled in law school and abandoned his dream of becoming a writer. One year later, he dropped out and lived life as a hippie, traveling through South America, North Africa, Mexico, and Europe.

At 17, Coelho's introversion and opposition to following a traditional path led to his parents committing him to a mental institution from which he escaped three times before being released at the age of 20.

In 1986, Coelho walked the 500-plus mile Road of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, a turning point in his life. On the path, Coelho had a spiritual awakening, which he described autobiographically in The Pilgrimage.

Coelho is the recipient of numerous international awards, amongst them the Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum. The Alchemist, his most famous novel, has been translated into 80 languages.

Translated into at least 67 languages as of October 2009, an allegorical novel, The Alchemist follows a young Andalusian shepherd named Santiago in his journey to Egypt, after having a recurring dream of finding treasure there.

The traveler reflects on his life: the experiences, the teachings of his master, stories of friends, read books, fables that told him, dreams of his generation.

As a teenager, Coelho wanted to become a writer. Upon telling his mother this, she responded, "My dear, your father is an engineer. He's a logical, reasonable man with a very clear vision of the world. Do you actually know what it means to be a writer?"

Translated into at least 67 languages as of October 2009, an allegorical novel, The Alchemist follows a young Andalusian shepherd named Santiago in his journey to Egypt, after having a recurring dream of finding treasure there.

The Pilgrimage is a parable that explores the need to find one's own path. In the end, we discover that the extraordinary is always found in the ordinary and simple ways of everyday people.

The author has sold 210 million copies worldwide (as for June 2015) and is the all-time bestselling Portuguese language author Lista de livros mais vendidos .

Like the Flowing River is a collection of reflections. In this riveting collection of thoughts and stories, Coelho offers his personal reflections on a wide range of subjects from archery and music to elegance, traveling and the nature of good and evil.

Veronika Decides to Die tells the story of 24-year-old Slovenian Veronika, who appears to have everything in life going for her, but who decides to kill herself. This book is partly based on Coelho's experience in various mental institutions.

A novel by Coelho that proves that love is not an obstacle to materializing one’s dreams, but a force urging the lovers to conquer their dreams and thus find God.

Brida is the story of a beautiful young Irish girl and her quest for knowledge. She finds a hermit mage who teaches her to overcome fear and a witch who teaches her how to dance to the hidden music of the world.

The book tells the story of Igor, a Russian millionaire; Hamid, a Middle Eastern fashion magnate; American actress Gabriela, eager to land a leading role; ambitious criminal detective Savoy; and Jasmine, a woman on the brink of a successful modeling career.

A woman around her thirties begins to question the routine and predictability of her days. In everybody’s eyes, she has a perfect life until an ex-boyfriend from her adolescence comes back into her life.

The book touches on the theme of spirituality. Aleph was written in Coelho's native language, Portuguese. The book is an autobiographical account written in a novel format. Upon release it became a bestselling novel in Brazil.

Eleven Minutes is based on the experiences of a young Brazilian prostitute called Maria, whose first innocent brushes with love leave her heartbroken. At a young age, she becomes convinced that she will never find true love.

Like the Flowing River is a collection of reflections. In this riveting collection of thoughts and stories, Coelho offers his personal reflections on a wide range of subjects from archery and music to elegance, traveling and the nature of good and evil.