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Like The Flowing River - Paulo Coelho

Like the Flowing River is one of many works of famous Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho. Paulo Coelho is a controversial and mostly loved writer, whose works have reached an audience of millions through discussion and elaboration of topics which used to be labelled as taboo or aren’t talked about very often. He has written this book in such a way that it follows a sequence of stories, each different from one another yet describing philosophical ideas.

Like the Flowing River is a collection of events, both fictional and real, which take vivid, wild, complex and philosophical ideas from the simplest of details that we overlook in life. The book feels as if it is a guide or a starting point for the audience, where the book walks to teach the reader to run. Ranging from emerging the will and right to live through cutting invasive weeds all the way to characteristics a person can learn from a pencil, the book feels as a cave through one’s morals and ideas gathered through extensive thought.

Even when written in easily comprehensible language, it is able to explain symbolism and representation to an extent which varies based on the reader’s capabilities. The book takes a delve into everyday and situational activities, taking either a moral guide, basic advice, or analytical idea from each. Throughout the chapters, we can also see parts of the author’s life which he seems to have enjoyed moments of life. With himself and his characters as examples, he tries to teach and tell the reader about common mistakes and misconceptions in life which we should weave around and learn the truth of.

To me, some of my favorite chapters were Genghis Khan and his Falcon; teaching us to look from other perspectives, a wider angle, or outside the box. Sequence of Manuel's life; which shows how discipline or rhythm may be or feel nice, being busy or occupied might be a solution we use, but we must not let it take over. We must remember and learn to be free, have familiarity with leisure, have many interests to pursue, and not be monotone. The funny thing about human beings; which jokes about the many contradictory actions we do throughout our life. The art of trying; which teaches us to face problems, and also references the Zen method of studying which is about how we should act like a beginner even when at the level of a professional, for an expert will always use the same tactics but a beginner will observe and constantly learn new things guaranteeing improvement also granting less repetitiveness and boredom.

In my opinion, this book was really an eye-opening handicraft which taught me about many many things I have overlooked in life. At the start I did mind the jumps from chapter to chapter but got used to it. Overall, the book was a nice delve into morals, advice, rules, and ideas. On the discussion of recommendations, I would actually recommend this book to all ages; being anyone that can read the book. It gives a guide to the younger, relates with the older and covers vivid interests. Thus, the book is a transcended view and reflections on everyday actions to everyday occurrences which almost all can enjoy.