Perhaps the most significant book I've ever read

What made the experience of listening to Manuscript Found in Accra the most enjoyable?

Hard to put into words, when a book and the passages just speak to you. Maybe it's timing in terms of your life's journey.

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Manuscript Found in Accra

Would you listen to Manuscript Found in Accra again? Why?

Read by Jeremy Irons makes this book so easy to absorb. I truly love this book. I think everyone should read it. It will help you to see things in your life better, to live better and to be better.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All

What does Jeremy Irons bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His accent along with his sensitivity bring the book to life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes most definitely.

Any additional comments?

I will listen to this one over and over again........

7 people found this helpful

Outstanding story and performance

Would you consider the audio edition of Manuscript Found in Accra to be better than the print version?

The richness of the narration by Jeremy Irons makes this story mesmerizing - he has the incredible ability to speak as though he were multiple actors - each with their own unique personality and "voice" - it's hard to believe that anyone could do this. Because the story is so rich with wisdom, I have now listened to this many times - and each time I hear new things and discover nuances that I missed previously. I suppose the print version would be good if I were to just study the wisdom in the book, but listening to the narration puts the book on steroids.

What did you like best about this story?

There is a tremendous amount of wisdom in this book - it is presented as a series of distinct themes ranging from the meaning of victory and defeat, what love means, what success is, the importance of gratitude and mindfulness is daily living, the spiritual meaning of sex, and exploration of the 4 cardinal virtues, the meaning of "beauty", and many, many more. If I were to stop the narration after every chapter, I could write an essay on the application of the ideas to my own life.

Which scene was your favorite?

The prayer of the "Copt" that echoes the Lord's prayer in the Bible. It uses the same sentence construction and flow, yet expands the ideas with such poetic elegance and symmetry of phrasing when narrated by Jeremy Irons that you feel compelled to stop the narration and just let the richness of the words reverberate in your mind. I've lived 58 years and I can honestly say that I've never heard anything narrated quite so well, ever.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The description of one of the cardinal virtues of "elegance". I've never really studied this concept before and was not aware of the deeper meaning. In this sense it was an epiphany that opened my perception to why some things in the world just seem "right", are attractive or compelling, and why when I am in a certain headspace, things just seem to click. In this sense, "elegance" is the passion of Mandela to change the destiny of S. Africa, the symmetry and grace of a cheetah chasing its prey, how a sound wave can be converted to an electrical impulse and processed chemically to produce a thought.

Any additional comments?

You can listen to this book many times and it is so well done that it feels as though you have done a meditation - especially if you stop it and reflect on the application of the wisdom. This is a deep book that encourages introspection, yet it is light enough and so compelling a listen that I gain much from it by plugging my smartphone in my car (with the Audible app) and listening to it on the way to work. I live in northern Canada and it is now 30 below and there is black ice on all the city roads and deep snow - normally very stressful to drive. I can listen to this book and get so wrapped up in it that I scarcely notice the commute - I can just picture in my mind's eye the Copt addressing the crowd on a hot, dusty summer day on the eve of an invasion - providing insights, encouragement and wisdom on the meaning of things that are truly important in life.

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the wisest words ever written...?

I listened to this book over and over again (while waiting for another credit). I've purchased hard copies as gifts.... brilliant. How one man can have such wisdom and insight amazes me.

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Simply eye opening!

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better.. It kept blowing my mind! Love this book and will share it with all my friends and family!! Thank you so much Mr. Paulo Cuelho!!! The narration was impeccable!

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enlightening

i took a break and went back to finish and enjoyed every second. slow read

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Amazing

I love this book as I do most of his work! Jeremy Irons voice is amazing! I’ve listened to this one book at least 10 times!

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Loved It!

Great guidelines to live by. Listened to the audible twice and purchased the book. I loved it that much

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Morality

Jeremy Irons captivated me. This is not a story of action and plot developments. The part about the Copt talking to the people is only the surface of this story. Paulo dives deep into human morality and discusses several principles to live by. He talks about love and time and patience. Very interesting to listen to.

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Interesting short Listen

Set in the time of the crusades within a city in imminent danger of being sacked and slaughtered, this is an interesting short novel that is part religion - part philosophy. The principal character borrows from everything from the new testament to Aristotle in reciting meditations on sundry subjects that are brought up by his questioners. Not at all preachy or particularly sectarian.

The narration by jeremy Irons is absolutely superb. His voice, intonations and rhythm are perfect for this book.

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