The Pilgrimage has a very important place in Paulo Coelho's work, not just because it is the first of his major books, after which came The Alchemist, but because of the complete way in which it expresses the humanity of Paulo s philosophy and the depth of his search. In this personal and contemporary quest for ancient wisdom, Paulo is transformed forever as he learns to understand the nature of truth through the simplicity of life: he learns that the extraordinary is always found in the way of the common people. Part adventure story, part guide to self-discovery, this compelling tale delivers the perfect combination of magic and insight.