The story begins in 1986 when Coelho undertakes his initiation into the order Regnus Agnus Mundi (RAM), which he subsequently fails. He is then told that he must embark on a pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago (a.k.a. Way of St. James) to find the sword that is the symbol of his acceptance into the ranks of RAM. The novel serves as part adventure story, part guide to self-discovery. --