“The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness: A true story” by Joel Ben Izzy
Every once in a while there comes a book that is totally differrent from the rest. A book that will leave a profound impression on you and that can change your perspectives on life. This is one of those books.
I first heard about this book when Maria Sharapova mentions it as her most favourite. And I can immediately see why, from the moment I read the first few pages.
It is so beautifully written, with so many fascinating stories from around the globe serve as the context that fits the main narrative of the writer’s unbelievable story.
All the shock, anger, serenity, inner struggle, relationship difficulties are all very real, very human and honest, while the way he experiences lost love and how he copes with deaths, in particular, are very moving and sobering.
But the icying on the cake for me is the way he stitch up all of these stories into one exciting journey. The book is filled with so much emotional roller coasters and out-of-the-world antics, that if this is a movie it would be akin to Big Fish or Forrest Gump.
It easily becomes one of my favourites too.
EDWIN SETIADI 