The Archer
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4.1 • 15 Ratings
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
From the #1 best-selling author of The Alchemist comes an inspiring story about a young man seeking wisdom from an elder, and the practical lessons imparted along the way. Includes stunning illustrations by Christoph Niemann.
“A novelist who writes in a universal language.” —The New York Times
In The Archer we meet Tetsuya, a man once famous for his prodigious gift with a bow and arrow but who has since retired from public life, and the boy who comes searching for him. The boy has many questions, and in answering them Tetsuya illustrates the way of the bow and the tenets of a meaningful life. Paulo Coelho's story suggests that living without a connection between action and soul cannot fulfill, that a life constricted by fear of rejection or failure is not a life worth living. Instead one must take risks, build courage, and embrace the unexpected journey fate has to offer.
With the wisdom, generosity, simplicity, and grace that have made him an international best seller, Paulo Coelho provides the framework for a rewarding life: hard work, passion, purpose, thoughtfulness, the willingness to fail, and the urge to make a difference.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
A stranger arrives in a small town and asks a local boy to show him to the home of Tetsuya, a once-renowned archer who has kept his gift hidden away in recent years. An archery contest ensues, but the results of that contest are secondary to Tetsuya’s conversations with the boy, during which he shares affirming life wisdom through the lens of the patience and self-awareness required to hit a distant target. Prolific Brazilian author Paulo Coelho—who’s best known for his global bestseller The Alchemist—delivers his lessons in the form of a parable, gentle enough to soothe but powerful enough to persuade. In noisy and chaotic times, The Archer is a welcome celebration of quiet perseverance.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Coelho (The Alchemist) returns with the jaunty story of a master archer who dispenses philosophical advice. Using a fablelike framework, Coelho spools out short chapters that are interspersed with simple but evocative artwork. The story begins as a young boy leads a stranger to the local carpenter, Tetsuya, whom the stranger claims is a master archer in hiding. The stranger requests a competition to prove he is more skilled than Tetsuya, but when Tetsuya takes his turn, he aims for his target while balancing on a rickety bridge. Tetsuya's lesson is that the stranger can not compete, because though he performs well in ideal, controlled situations he cannot be a master until he can also perform well under difficult, trying situations. After the stranger leaves, Tetsuya and the boy return to the carpentry shop, and Tetsuya holds forth with meditative gems meant to teach the boy the skill of archery as he himself had been taught, such as "never hold back from firing the arrow if all that paralyzes you is fear of making a mistake," and "once the arrow has been shot, there is nothing more the archer can do, except follow its path to the target." The narrative is simple, and the act of holding a bow and shooting an arrow is a fairly obvious metaphor for doing one's best and striving for excellence. Despite this, fans of Coehlo's koanlike narratives will find much to ponder. (Nov.)
Customer Reviews
A little too simple
Hoping for a well thought out story about archery? This definitely isn’t that book. In many ways, it’s just a more polished, prettier version of Way of the Bow (2008). Once again, Paulo doesn’t take any risks or cover any ground he hasn’t covered countless times before. Most will certainly be wondering if the steep price justifies this super short book.