The Archer - Paulo Coelho

“Once the arrow has gone, it will not come back, so it is better to interrupt a shot because the movements that led up to it were not sufficiently precise and correct than to act carelessly, simply because the bow was fully drawn and the target was waiting.”

I bought this book, 'The Archer' as soon as I saw it on the bookshelf. I was surprised to see the only remaining book in the pile and grabbed it as soon as possible. I had loved Paulo Coelho's previous books. I had seen the book on social media popping up now and then but hadn't checked the reviews.

Paulo Cohleo beautifully appreciates life and shares his wisdom on how to approach life to deal with its antiquities.

I was up for a big surprise as I had absolutely no idea about the book. I waited till I got home, savored the cover and illustration before finally opening the book.

The book introduces us to Tetsuya, a genius archer who has retired from public life. The archer is introduced to a boy who came to challenge him. The boy has many questions. Tetsuya responds to his queries by illustrating to him the ways of the bow.

The book was fairly small and filled with motivational life advice and tenets to a meaningful life coated in the metaphor of bow and arrow. I read the book on this New Year's Eve when I was filled with new year promises and restored hopes and resolutions. This book consolidated my pillar of beliefs in me and my trust in achieving my goals.

Now, halfway down the year I flipped through the pages of the book again and grazed through some of the lines. It was cliched. The lessons that I had read and heard many times before had been wielded on different metaphors. Of course, I was a little letdown. I questioned my initial judgment of this book. After 7 months, instead of his quotes, the full-page illustrations by German artist Christoph Niemann were more ingrained in my mind. (which is not a good thing!)

This book was not as good as it was hyped but it did work for me when I had read it initially.

Final verdict ?!

Another book is worth the time!

Happy reading!