Manuscript Found in Accra is a thought-provoking, philosophical novel written by Paulo Coelho, the writer of The Alchemist and many other life-changing works....
BOOK REVIEW
Book: Manuscript Found in Accra
Author: Paulo Coelho
Reviewed by: Bilal Ahmed
Manuscript Found in Accra is a thought-provoking, philosophical novel written by Paulo Coelho, the writer of The Alchemist and many other life-changing works. This book was published in 2013, and in the same year, it was translated from Portuguese to English by Margaret Jull Costa.
The book explores timeless wisdom through a mysterious manuscript discovered in 14th-century Jerusalem that shares profound teachings. The novel had a profound influence on me and I found it a source of inspiration.
What makes this book powerful is how it touches on various aspects of life, especially for those who feel defeated, lost, or disheartened. The writer emphasises love, faith, loyalty, and solitude, explaining that if you love everyone, then you never feel alone. If you are loyal, then you never taste defeat.
Coelho also explores the ideas of luck, winning, and losing. One powerful quote from the book is: “Today’s loser is tomorrow’s winner.” This means that setbacks are temporary, and success is inevitable as long as you don’t give up.
He also mentions that anxiety is a part of life. For example, a farmer sows seeds and awaits autumn to provide him with rich fruits, and in this duration, he feels anxiety about the harvest time. Therefore, anxiety has been with us since we were born and will be with us until we die. But wisdom lies in being a man who lives in the present and avoids thinking about the future.
Talking about weapons, the author says that the strongest weapon is not a spear or a siege cannon which can wound the body and demolish a wall. In contrast, the most powerful weapon is the word which comes out of the mouth. The wound of that word is permanent, so be mindful while speaking.
Overall, Coelho expresses that life is a journey with ups and downs, but you should never be disappointed. Keep moving consistently until you achieve your aim. Finally, I agree with the thoughts of the writer because he leaves us with the lesson that life goes on, so keep living with joy and be loyal to everyone.
