The Archer - Random House Large Print Edition | Inspirational Fiction Novel for Book Clubs & Relaxing Evenings

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.