Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Manuscript Found In Accra Hoppy Giveaway Hop



In the spirit of Easter, I really wanted to give a book that reflected more on Christ's teachings. Although not exclusively Christian in story, it is an appropriate choice for an Easter celebration.

Blog hop is provided by Kathy at I am a Reader Not a Writer.  There are a lot of books out there for this hop, so enjoy my site then click the linky below to keep hoppin'.

I am offering 3 lucky winners with a copy of Manuscript Found in Accra by Paulo Coelho.

Manuscript Found in AccraManuscript Found in Accra by Paulo Coelho
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads: The latest novel from the #1 internationally best-selling author of The Alchemist.

There is nothing wrong with anxiety.
Although we cannot control God's time, it is part of the human condition to want to receive the thing we are waiting for as quickly as possible.
Or to drive away whatever is causing our fear....
Anxiety was born in the very same moment as mankind. And since we will never be able to master it, we will have to learn to live with it-just as we have learned to live with storms.


* * *

July 14, 1099. Jerusalem awaits the invasion of the crusaders who have surrounded the city's gates. There, inside the ancient city's walls, men and women of every age and every faith have gathered to hear the wise words of a mysterious man known only as the Copt. He has summoned the townspeople to address their fears with truth:

"Tomorrow, harmony will become discord. Joy will be replaced by grief. Peace will give way to war.... None of us can know what tomorrow will hold, because each day has its good and its bad moments. So, when you ask your questions, forget about the troops outside and the fear inside. Our task is not to leave a record of what happened on this date for those who will inherit the Earth; history will take care of that. Therefore, we will speak about our daily lives, about the difficulties we have had to face."

The people begin with questions about defeat, struggle, and the nature of their enemies; they contemplate the will to change and the virtues of loyalty and solitude; and they ultimately turn to questions of beauty, love, wisdom, sex, elegance, and what the future holds. "What is success?" poses the Copt. "It is being able to go to bed each night with your soul at peace."


* * *
Now, these many centuries later, the wise man's answers are a record of the human values that have endured throughout time. And, in Paulo Coelho's hands, The Manuscript Found in Accra reveals that who we are, what we fear, and what we hope for the future come from the knowledge and belief that can be found within us, and not from the adversity that surrounds us.


My thoughts: I really loved The Alchemist and Paulo Coelho shares deep wisdom within the story. This time the story is much more secondary as the different groups of people inside the walls of Jerusalem gather to hear the wisdom of a Greek man simply known as "The Copt." Tomorrow most will die so tonight they ask questions, make observations and listen to the Greek's wisdom. He speaks of love, life, death, regrets, family, friends, home, fear, faith and much, much more.

The book appeals to not only Christian, but also Jewish and Muslim. The wisdom is basic truisms not always articulated and sometimes loaded with a great deal of insight. It is a book that is best read slowly and processed rather than something to be read between the activities of life.

The book is based on a supposed manuscript found near Accra. Depending on the reader's spiritual and emotional travels through life, parts of the book will prove to reaffirm and provide insight. It is uplifting and builds greatly on hope and faith, along with the basic tenets of religion, organized or not.

A book that every home library would benefit from having.

Did I mention 3 winners?
If for some weird reason, you can't see entry form below, click HERE.


Happy Easter!

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