THE ALCHEMIST

This story of a Spanish shepherd boy begins as a search for treasure and evolves into a rich tale of human love and discovery. It is short, but certainly packs a wallop. What makes the story even better is Jeremy Irons's unforgettable narration. From the outset, it is clear that Irons is going to take us along on this journey, and we will find it just as fascinating as Santiago, the shepherd. Irons's voice is crystal clear, and every word is given its own starring role in the text. He creates wondrous characters, male and female, that stay with us. The journey with Santiago and Irons is well worth it. R.I.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 02]