The Archer

OH MY WORD!! What an incredible, very short read. Coelho packs so much wisdom is so few words that I will have to reread this book again and again, meditating on the truths within its pages. I can not recommend this book highly enough. It should be on every middle and high school reading list in America!

Every once in a while, a book comes along and soothes your soul, encourages your heart, and leaves you full of hope and a renewed sense of purpose. If you follow books by Paulo Coelho, that feeling comes fairly frequently. Coelho’s new book, The Archer, was the encouragement I didn’t know I needed this month. I was first introduced to his work when I was gifted a copy of The Alchemist in high school, and since then, I will regularly turn to his books when I need something to put my heart at peace. The Archer does just that. The story is about a man named Tetsuya, who was once a famous archer, a man who comes to challenge him, and a boy who witnesses the challenge. After the challenge, the boy asks Tetsuya to teach him the ways of the bow, and how he too can become a master. The book comprises of Tetsuya’s advice and wisdom for the boy–wisdom that extends beyond archery and can be applied to the lives of all who read it, advice that we can each integrate into our own crafts and passions. We can all be masters, if only we try. Especially with being a newly self-published author of my first book, and admittedly some of the discouragement and frustrations that come along with that which I occasionally feel, I needed to read Coelho’s words. It was the encouragement and balm for my soul I didn’t even know I needed when I first picked it up. It’s a quick, easy read — I got it done in a little over an hour while my husband drove us home from visiting family for Thanksgiving — but its impact lasts much longer. It’s also visually lovely, the illustrations within it beautiful and simple. Definitely an excellent read, and good for anyone who is striving for their goals and dreams. I give it a well-deserved five-star rating.

I’ve been Coelho’s fan since my early teens and once again, he didn’t disappoint. No matter what you’re struggling with, you’ll find plenty of helpful advice in this book veiled as a timeless fable. Inspirational and fit for everyone, “The Archer” is a wonderful addition to my Coelho collection.

This book is about how you live. Paulo Coelho uses the bow as a metaphor for discipline, mastery, purpose, and how we approach anything meaningful in life. It's a short story of a boy who watches a master archer and asks to be taught. What follows is a quiet series of lessons, such as focus, failure, balance, choosing the right companions, and doing work that matters. It's not complicated, and that’s the point. If you’re in a season where you need to reset—mentally, creatively, or spiritually—The Archer is a solid place to start. You’ll probably finish it in under an hour. But the ideas will stick with you long after.

I haven’t started reading it yet, but I bought it because I’ve really enjoyed other books by the same author.

Having read a few Coelho books now I’m catching on to his method. Though this is the most transparent of them, it is similar to the Manuscript Found in Accra in that it is a philosophy-slash-self-help book embedded in a fictional parable. The difference between this and Manuscript however, is while that book had Coelho’s message embedded in his story, in the Archer, it’s more like it was book-ended. He sets the scene of the story, then literally tells you his pearls of wisdom, then you’re at the epilogue. While I’m not dismissing the teachings he presents in the book (with some lovely woodcarving-style artwork I might add. This is a very pretty book) I feel the presentation of what he is trying to say is a bit lazy. A lot of telling rather than showing. I could see this book making its way on to a lot of CEO’s office book shelves as the book that inspired them to climb that corporate ladder because of it being an inspirational while at the same time accessible read. My main issue is the presentation of the content I feel requires a lot more introspection to find the wisdom within rather then just one day tripping over a master who is happy to tell you the mystery of the universe in an hour and then giving you permission to head out and make your mark on the world. Maybe it is that simple and the student has to be ready to take it in, but I’m a bit skeptical. I would recommend Zen and the Art of Archery over this. The Archer serves more of a cliff note version of that book.

It might be easier to explain Paulo Coelho’s The Archer by stating what it is not. It’s not a book on spirituality despite many spiritual passages. It’s not an introduction to Eastern or Western religions though it draws inspiration from both. It’s also not a guide to meditation even though it’s written in a meditative spirit. Instead it’s more a guide to life or what the ancients called ethics. By using the extended analogy of archery, Coelho means to impart a way of living to the reader: essentially, the need to treat life as a goal driven endeavor where proper preparation is necessary to attain mastery. According to Coelho one should choose goals but know that one will never perfectly hit the target. One must cultivate allies who take their practice as seriously yet joyfully as you do. It is necessary to alternate relaxation and pressure just as a properly strung bowstring. It’s hard to think of anyone who would object to this kind of advice. The major objection will be that all of this is obvious, we all learned this as kids, etc. But, like many teachings, the difficulty is not in skimming through the book in fifteen minutes, it’s in putting into practice the lessons Coelho imparts. If one carefully makes the maxims and lessons of this book their own, it’s hard to imagine not undergoing a significant improvement in one’s life experience. Highly recommended to all who seek reminders and wise advice on the art of being human.

Ich habe es am gleichen Abend noch gelesen. Wie erwartet, einfach 🔝.

Came in a great state and it is such a simple and good book. Another great peice of the collection

Book Review: The Archer by Paulo Coelho The Archer by Paulo Coelho is a short but philosophical book that explores the journey of life through the metaphor of archery. The story follows Tetsuya, a master archer who has retired from public life. One day, a young archer comes to Tetsuya, seeking his guidance. Tetsuya agrees to teach the young man, but only if he is willing to learn from his mistakes. Through the course of their lessons, Tetsuya teaches the young archer about the importance of focus, discipline, and perseverance. He also teaches him about the importance of accepting failure and learning from it. The Archer is a beautiful and inspiring book that reminds us that the journey of life is more important than the destination. It is a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. Here are some of the things I liked most about the book: It is concise and to the point. Coelho gets his message across without using unnecessary words. It is philosophical and thought-provoking. The book explores many deep questions about life, such as the meaning of life, the nature of success, and the importance of failure. It is not preachy or didactic. Coelho does not tell you what to do. Rather, he gives you ideas to ponder and reflect on. Overall, I highly recommend The Archer to anyone who is looking for a book that is both inspiring and thought-provoking. It is a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. Specifically, here are some of the generic philosophy of life lessons that I learned from the book: Focus on the present moment. Don't be afraid to fail. Learn from your mistakes. Be patient and persistent. Trust your intuition. Accept yourself for who you are. Enjoy the journey of life. These are just a few of the many lessons that can be found in The Archer. I encourage you to read the book for yourself and discover your own personal insights

Good book,

Another great one from Paulo, package arrived on time and in great condition.