Manuscript Found in Accra by Paulo Coelho (Book Review- DON'T MISS IT)!!!

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 I hope all of you remember my review of The Alchemist written by Paulo Coelho. I read it thinking that the man is known for changing life of people through his books so it might happen that I'll love him more than Robin Sharma after seeing myself drastically changed or improved than yesterday. But that book was a big blow to me. A huge disappointment. Still I picked Eleven Minutes, his another famous book after The Alchemist. First half was excellent but in the 2nd half, I felt that the story was pointless and had no meaning. I even said in review that I won't read Paulo Coelho anymore in life. But these geniuses are the people whom you can't ignore because they are sent by God to be of some help to the people living on the Earth and ignoring small diamonds because of big coals in life. I finally picked up his latest book,"Manuscript Found in Accra" and I'm mind blown. What an appropriate book this is! Perfect!

Summary of The book:-

 Manuscript Found In Accra is centered on a seven hundred year old document and whether it can still hold some message of relevance for humanity.

The main subject of The Manuscript Found In Accra is an ancient (fictitious) manuscript containing words of wisdom from an unnamed Copt.

The narrator of the book is a the son of an English archaeologist, who is translating an ancient document. The document he says, was found in a cave in Cairo. It seems to be a recording of the words of a wise man, which had been recorded faithfully by one of his audience.

The Manuscript Found In Accra has an interesting setup. The incident takes place on the eve of the invasion of Jerusalem by European crusaders. Threatened by these alien invaders, in peril of life and livelihood, the citizens of Jerusalem are gathered together around a Copt. He is standing in their midst, patiently answering their questions. In a few hours time, the city would be overrun by the invaders from Europe.

The Copt has summoned the people to this place. He asks them to forget about the looming peril for the time being and ponder their minds on everyday concerns rather than the coming destruction. So, he urges them to ask him questions about issues that bother them in their normal, everyday life, doubts and concerns that are in their minds now and will be in their minds after the invaders have gone.

There is a bit of quiet in the atmosphere upon hearing such a declaration. The people of the city, including Coptic Christians, Jews, and Muslims, all eagerly gather before this quiet man, who seems unmoved by any fears of the future. The impending catastrophe is just a setting. The Manuscript Found In Accra is not a novel, it contains only a set of questions and answers. The citizens put various questions before the wise man, and he answers them all, and a scribe records everything.

The people ask him questions on numerous topics, including life, love, fear, loss, courage, anxieties, miracles, loyalty, beauty, solitude, success, and so on. The Copt answers them, and the people forget their immediate fears for the future as they listen to the profound wisdom of the man.

About Paulo Coelho:-

           Paulo Coelho is a Brazilian writer.

       Some other books by Coelho are Theater For Education, Hell Archives, The Pilgrimage, The Greatest Gift, The Fifth Mountain, and The Alchemist. His books are in the spiritual and self-development genre. Paulo Coelho was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1947. His refusal to conform to tradition and to what was expected of him upset his parents so much that they had him put in a mental institution for psychiatric treatment. Though Coelho enrolled in law school to comply with his parent’s wishes, he did not complete his studies.

            Coelho traveled the world for a while as a hippie and on his return, he began to write lyrics for Brazilian singers. He was very successful at this. Then, Coelho took part in the Road of Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage, which changed his life and his views. He quit the music industry and began to concentrate on his first passion, writing.

             Coming to the review, I must say that if you are looking up for a philosophical self-help book then there can be nothing better than picking up this book. There are number of reasons to that. First, it's Paulo Coelho, one of the most read author in the world. Second, the amount of wisdom this book provides in just 190 pages. Third, at the cost in which this book is available, it's like getting Kohinoor in the cost of a Tata Namak. Ok Sorry. This book is full of tips that can help you to heal all your scars and pains of past. Coelho is known for his quotes and this book has lots of bunch of them. Every 3rd sentence is a wonderful quote by him that's enough for you to realize your life. Not even a single chapter disappoints you. Every page has enough knowledge that can beat many self-help books in a go. 

            The way the protagonist answers to every question is a very unique material I have found after reading so many books on the same topic. It shows why Coelho is different from other authors in the same genre. "Change" is explained with the examples of trees and mountains. That's where the book got perfect marks from my side. Nature is again nicely discussed. It's reference made the point clear. The chapter in which Love is discussed is the best chapter, I would say. It's quite a literature-material but it's also philosophical. The way "Success" is discussed in a chapter is the first time when I have read this definition of it. Coelho has his own way of explaining things which makes it special for us to read his books. Now I am excited to read his other fiction tales too because I want to find the hidden emotions and messages in his books. I will give this book perfect marks for it's excellence and generosity. DON'T MISS IT!!!

 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!