When I first read this book I gave it four stars. I read it over a year ago, back in January 2016. It was before I started grad school, but after I finished undergrad so I was sort of in this no-man's land headspace wondering what direction my life was going. It was funny, at the time I probably could've related to Santiago's journey the most, yet I appreciated it the least. Now, I'm not saying a guy from Buffalo looking for a purpose in his city is the same level of journey as Santiago, but as time past this book has really stuck with me. The tale of Santiago following his dream from Spain and through North Africa, using the journey to learn skills and become a better man, only to discover (view spoiler)[ the treasure was home the whole time (hide spoiler)] really stuck with me; the words of the Alchemist explaining himself to why he sent Santiago on his journey despite knowing the negatives really stuck with me. And that's why I had to re-evaluate my original four star review and change it to a five because this masterpiece deserves it.